Spark Plug Socket & 1/4 in drive torque wrench mods

1GTrooperWannaB · 2021-03-19

Just recently picked up a 95 Trooper with the 3.2 liter V6, SOHC engine. I thought I would share two tool mods I've made to make life easier. Tool #1 Modified spark plug socket with "extraction tool hole" With the spark plug tubes on these engines, I found that the spark plug socket wanted to "stick" to the plug and separate from the 3/8 drive extension after tightening the plugs. I checked on the forum and went to YouTube for ideas. In the end, I opted to drill a hole in the top portion of the spark plug socket, paint it white, and then modified a Harbor Freight pick tool to include a small hook that I can use to "grab" the socket using the new hole. It works great. I needed it on 3 out of the 6 plugs I installed. Word to the wise, you will need a very drill to make this hole in the socket. The cheap black oxide bits or even the titanium bits will not do the job. Ask me how I know :) I ended up using a Bosch 5/32 inch carbide tip drill along with some cutting fluid and it worked great. Tool #2 DIY - 1/4 inch square female to 3/8 square male adapter I have thought for sometime that it would be really helpful to use my 3/8 inch sockets with the 1/4 inch drive torque wrench. There are many cases where I want to set a low range torque on slightly larger fasteners. For example, the spark plug torque for the 3.2L V6 is 13 foot-pounds which is way too low to be accurate using the 3/8 inch torque wrench I have. So I decided to create this adapter. There may be a commercial version of this adapter available, but I couldn't easily find it so I made one. I took a 1/4 inch drive 1/2 inch socket and another short 3/8 inch adapter and welded them together. I used it to install the spark plugs which works out to a 156 inch-pound setting on the 1/4 inch drive Torque wrench. It worked great. Hope these ideas can help others!

D

DSUZU

· #3 · Mar 19, 2021

I have those adapters in Craftsman, Snap on, and Harbor Freight "Fine China". Basically can adapt any size 1/4 to 3/4 and back down. What's getting hard to find is individual sockets for making custom tools. Used to have a local Flea Market with a few tool sellers who always had a good range of sockets or wrenches and almost any name brand you wanted. Now the Flea Market property is about to become...Condos :evil: Dennis

1991 LS Trooper 2.8 V6 5 speed conversion (Sold)
1989 LS Spacecab 2.6 5 speed 4x4 manual hubs, Rodeo torsion bars, extended shackles, 2" lift, K&N air filter (drop in), dump bed conversion, burgundy interior change, warn brush bar. Engine is bored .020 oversize and upgraded to 1994 pistons, head and EFI system.
Previously owned: 1987 Trooper II LS, 1989 Trooper (parts only), 1994 Trooper 3.2 Auto, 1997 Rodeo 2.6 5 speed, 1993 shortbed pickup 2.3 (project - sold) 1992 Rodeo 4x4 LS (parts car, devoured by Spacecab needs) plus some 70 plus other non Isuzu vehicles over the years. 1994 Amigo devoured to provide head and EFI system.
Heavily damaged by engine compartment fire while driving on March 24th 2018, condemned by insurance company and taken on March 30th 2018

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http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=64060
City of St Petersburg (Fl) Fleet Maintenance 8/23/83 - 12/4/2018 (Retired). Started new job 6/4/2019. Was retired, now just tired.

If your wife has 5.00, and you have 20.00, your wife has...25.00

"Water is one of the greatest essentials of life. Without water, you can't make coffee."

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DSUZU

· #6 · Mar 20, 2021

When I had my 3.2, I would use a regular socket w/o the plug grabbing insert. I'd break the plug loose and loosen a few turns, then I would switch to a rubber fuel line large enough to fit over the insulator and complete the unscrewing and removal with the hose. I also used the hose for installing the new plugs. I keep a 6" and a shorter section of hose in my box for just these purposes.
If you think these are bad, try changing Ford Triton plugs. Dennis

1991 LS Trooper 2.8 V6 5 speed conversion (Sold)
1989 LS Spacecab 2.6 5 speed 4x4 manual hubs, Rodeo torsion bars, extended shackles, 2" lift, K&N air filter (drop in), dump bed conversion, burgundy interior change, warn brush bar. Engine is bored .020 oversize and upgraded to 1994 pistons, head and EFI system.
Previously owned: 1987 Trooper II LS, 1989 Trooper (parts only), 1994 Trooper 3.2 Auto, 1997 Rodeo 2.6 5 speed, 1993 shortbed pickup 2.3 (project - sold) 1992 Rodeo 4x4 LS (parts car, devoured by Spacecab needs) plus some 70 plus other non Isuzu vehicles over the years. 1994 Amigo devoured to provide head and EFI system.
Heavily damaged by engine compartment fire while driving on March 24th 2018, condemned by insurance company and taken on March 30th 2018

.

http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=64060
City of St Petersburg (Fl) Fleet Maintenance 8/23/83 - 12/4/2018 (Retired). Started new job 6/4/2019. Was retired, now just tired.

If your wife has 5.00, and you have 20.00, your wife has...25.00

"Water is one of the greatest essentials of life. Without water, you can't make coffee."

Forget the "free education". Why waste time. Just give me the "FREE INCOME".

Reply

Save

Like

D

DSUZU

· #8 · Mar 20, 2021

93trooperpooper said:
the hose should slip if the plug cross-threads, saving you a heli-coil job :evil:

One of the reasons I like to use them. And "taping a socket to an extension". I don't remember the exact job, but I still have aluminum duct tape on my 15MM socket from doing that. It held. Dennis

1991 LS Trooper 2.8 V6 5 speed conversion (Sold)
1989 LS Spacecab 2.6 5 speed 4x4 manual hubs, Rodeo torsion bars, extended shackles, 2" lift, K&N air filter (drop in), dump bed conversion, burgundy interior change, warn brush bar. Engine is bored .020 oversize and upgraded to 1994 pistons, head and EFI system.
Previously owned: 1987 Trooper II LS, 1989 Trooper (parts only), 1994 Trooper 3.2 Auto, 1997 Rodeo 2.6 5 speed, 1993 shortbed pickup 2.3 (project - sold) 1992 Rodeo 4x4 LS (parts car, devoured by Spacecab needs) plus some 70 plus other non Isuzu vehicles over the years. 1994 Amigo devoured to provide head and EFI system.
Heavily damaged by engine compartment fire while driving on March 24th 2018, condemned by insurance company and taken on March 30th 2018

.

http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=64060
City of St Petersburg (Fl) Fleet Maintenance 8/23/83 - 12/4/2018 (Retired). Started new job 6/4/2019. Was retired, now just tired.

If your wife has 5.00, and you have 20.00, your wife has...25.00

"Water is one of the greatest essentials of life. Without water, you can't make coffee."

Forget the "free education". Why waste time. Just give me the "FREE INCOME".

Reply

Save

Like

Spark Plug Socket & 1/4 in drive torque wrench mods

1GTrooperWannaB

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