Online parts stores in Canada

[762mm]

Hi,

After searching the forums for a set of good spark plug wires for my '99 Explorer SOHC, I've found that several people are using performance wires such as Jacobs purchased from various retailers in the States, for very decent prices...
Does anyone know of any online retailers located in Canada that would carry such products? I really don't want to pay big bro any customs fees + inflated shipping charges to have the wires shipped from the States, although I might have to do it anyway pretty soon. Over here, NAPA is asking $90 for a set of OEM wires (basic non-performance), and I'm not even going to waste my time asking the dealership about what new Motorcrafts cost ($300 - $400 maybe? At that rate I should probably quit my job and apply to work at the dealership, then get paid in parts. Comes out to the same at the end, lol :fire: ).

Any help would be greatly appreciated on this... I know there are several people on the forum from Kanukistan just like me (joke), and I'm sure someone has to know a good place (preferably online) for OEM parts... After all, the explorer is "the most popular SUV", right? Too bad it's such a b*tch finding parts for it! (it's easier to get a spark-plug wire set for a Ford model "T" on ebay than a SOHC explorer).

Thanks in advance for any assistance on this, it's much appreciated. :roll:

 

[Bill MacLeod]

Not sure where you are located, but have you tried a speed/performance shop? I bought a set of Taylor Spiro Pro wires this time last year, paid something like 60 to 70 bucks plus taxes. Kind of pricey, but great wires and fit like a glove.

 

[celly]

Try Aurora Ignition Wires in Abbotsford, BC. I have them on my Ex and quality stuff. Online ordering too.

Go here.

 

[falls guy]

Go to the dealership. It shouldn't cost more than $90. I'm a true believer in genuine parts. Unless you are running a high perf. coil, that's all you need. As long as you use silicone and route them in a way that they don't rub on anything, or touch the exhaust, they will work just as good as the rest on stock coil. I've never had a problem with them. After all, "Henry Ford is smarter than me!" That is why you can still buy parts for a model T!
Happy motoring!

 

[762mm]

Thanks for the replies

Thanks everyone. I live in Montreal, QC by the way.... I've located some RED (nice!) Ford Racing 9mm wires on the DriverFX section of canadiantire.ca for the truck for $83.52 CDN, but I'm a bit puzzled...

It says that the Ford Racing is a universal wire that "Fits all V6 models 1960-2004". I kind of doubt they had computer-controlled coil packs in 1960, so I'm wondering what's wrong with that statement (maybe there are adapters or something included in the wire kit, I'll try to do a search and learn more). Thanks again to you all for taking interest in my post.

 

[762mm]

Try Aurora Ignition Wires in Abbotsford, BC. I have them on my Ex and quality stuff. Online ordering too.

Go here.

I ended up ordering from Aurora. If they're as good as you say, and as they claim to be on their website, I think I'll be very happy (they actually have their wires available in red too, that's what I ordered). The total came to about $90 CDN with tax and shipping ($80 before tax/shipping).

Now all I need is to get some Motorcraft spark plugs - I have installed Bosch +4's about 3500 km ago, but it seems like people on this site are saying that Bosch plugs may kill the engine cylinder(s) soon. So far they're running without a glitch though and actually improved idling/acceleration. I don't want to take my chances much longer though...

If anyone knows what would be the best plug available from Ford for a 4.0L SOHC in terms of long life and performance, please let me know. I bet they're going to be worth their weight in gold at the stealership! Oh well...

*Update* I got a confirmation e-mail from Aurora saying that they'll be shipping the wire kit on Monday (I ordered online Friday at about 3:45 p.m.). Seems to be a pretty solid operation, fast service even despite the holidays! (Easter). I'm impressed....

 

[DirtyDog]

I use NGK Iradium's in mine. A bit pricey but I like them. NGK Planums are good too

 

[762mm]

I use NGK Iradium's in mine. A bit pricey but I like them. NGK Planums are good too

Yeah, I was looking at these at Canadian Tire before I got the bosch +4 plugs, which were said to be the best plugs they had in the store by the clerk at the auto parts desk... plus all Bosch products were 50% off at the time, due to their 50th anniversary or something like that. No plug wires for recent explorers were available though, not by Bosch or any other company apparently.
I found that finding many parts for the Ex at Canadian Tire to be a real pain... Last summer I wanted fender flares - they didn't have ANYTHING for an explorer (not in store or even in their custom parts catalogue) and I had to end up buying the cheap [but with an expensive price tag, about $100 CDN] universal flexi-flares that are all twisted now for some reason and look like sh*t on the truck! I'm taking those off as soon as spring comes and it's warm enough. I bought some real model-specific flares on ebay for about $120 CDN a moth or two ago, I should have done that in the first place.

As for the plugs, I'm really gonna go with Motorcraft... I think that the engine, with all its electronic tweaks and sensors, is best suited for the genuine parts rather than asian or european import plugs for this kind of vehicle. I just wish I knew what Motorcraft plugs to order at the dealership, the guy at the parts counter isn't much of a help and seems to speak only french (which is not a problem for me, but he's not too sure about the parts' applications since everything is in english, I guess. When I ordered my PCV valve, differential fluids, etc with this guy, we both had to look em up in my Haynes/Ford user's manual to make sure they were the right stuff, lol!)