How did you determine it needed plugs?
Can you drive it to O'Reilly's and have one of their folks (or you) run the codes on it/ (See if there is a check engine light or a code pending)
Don't know how long you've owned the truck, but there are a number of things these trucks need when they reach a "certain age".....
I'm guessing since you are in a wheelchair, that means you are having to pay someone else to do the actual work. My son is in a wheelchair, so I get it.
I agree with
@tominboise about a possible bad batch of gas. These trucks have a drain on the bottom of the fuel tank that is very convenient to drain off a couple gallons after it has sat overnight to allow the water or junk to settle out, IF that's the case. I always buy my fuel from the same vendor if possible, and I always choose busy locations so I know they cycle through their gas, keeping it "fresh."
Otherwise, please go back to my list in post #2. I stand by that, in order.
The coolant on my truck was a brown, sludgy-looking mess. Not from a blown head gasket, but from the Previous Owner (PO) mixing the Toyota Red and the green antifreeze. Those two do not play well together. I eventually blew my radiator (partly due to the sludge caking the radiator cap and not allowing it to relieve), but also due to the radiator being old, and a bad set of belts. When I installed the new radiator, I flushed the block with a garden hose from both directions, then I flushed it (6) times with distilled water after I got it all put back together before I put in the Toyota Red coolant. (If I did it again, I would use the green stuff, as it's cheaper and easier to get)
A few things to add to the list:
Plug Wires
Distributor Cap
Rotor
Spark Plugs
These need to be replaced after a number of years. I personally went back to Toyota parts, as my truck tends to spit out aftermarket parts. I do all my own work and I monitor part usage and longevity on every vehicle I own and this is the first one I've owned that I can actually tell the differences between the manufacturer parts and the aftermarket parts.
When you do your next oil change, grab a sample of the oil and send it off to Blackstone Labs for analysis. (
www.blackstone-labs.com) Go to their website to see fees and to order a kit.
When I order my parts, I order them from:
Toyota Parts | Toyota Online Parts | Genuine Toyota parts | Toyota Parts Online
Or I order them locally and ask for the local TLC Club discount.
I also try to support the vendors on this forum since they are all so helpful.
If you are having a private individual installing your parts or if you need help, go to the top here "Clubhouses" and find a local club. Post there about your situation and reference this thread. I see four clubhouses listed for Florida. You may find someone to help out a fellow CruiserHead in need. It can be pretty incredible what these clubs will do sometimes.
If you want more professional advice (if you call him for help, buy your parts from him.....) contact
@beno. He is incredibly knowledgeable about these trucks.
Good Luck!
