Stuck in the middle

[bbmoose]

I know i am a newbie here and this is not the way i wanted to start by asking help but i am up a crick without a paddle

Right now my explorer is sitting with only half the plugs replaced.
Some quick info.
Its a 2000 explorer
4.0L 6
automatic
ac
And less than 4 days new to me.

I replaced the drivers side plugs and trying to change the first plug in the front of the motor on the passenger side i broke off the insultator.I cant get to the plug right to remove it and replace it.Also how in the heck do you change the passenger side plugs anyway?There is NO room to work in there.I checked the wheel well with the tire turned and removed part of the wheel liner and still dont see enough room to get at it.Up top the two most rearward plugs a completly blocked by the heater core and blower motor unit.
ANY thoughts or any help would be greatly helpful
Thanks ahead of time and if it wasnt for the fact that it doesnt run i wouldnt have posted here.

 

[jimbo74]

on the right side crank the wheels and use extensions with swivel ends...... going to have to do that for the broken one too... or start removing components until you are able to acess it

 

[bbmoose]

dang NOW thats a fast reply
I tried looking in the wheel area and even partially removed the rubber shield there.It didnt look like i can get to the plugs that way,BUT i will check again in the morning.
I hope i will be able to get them changed
Thanks for the help.

 

[jimbo74]

it may actually be easier to remove the wheel itself, i didnt have to on mine, but i already had the air filter assembly off and i dont have any plastic/rubber ineer fenderliners....

 

[NOTAJP]

Welcome to the site! Don't worry about your first post being a question. Congrats on the 2000 Explorer also. All Exploders are difficult to change the plugs on. Most inner fenders will have to be removed to get to the plugs. Good luck to you and let us know how many cuts on your knuckles you get.

 

[bbmoose]

Well i might as well use this post to give a little more info.
This is not the first ford i have had.
Some of the list so far:
78 granada
ford EXP
mustang
aerostar
We traded in a the aerostar for a 99 jeep Grand Cherokee.Thats my wives vehicle(i do like it alot too)
This past week i finally got my tax return and used it and the mustang as a down payment on the explorer.I didnt go looking for an explorer(at the time i really wanted another jeep
) but i found a great deal on the ex.
I bought it from a dealer in my area and got a 3yr-45000 bumper to bumper extended warranty from ford with it.
In less than 4days now i have fallen BACK in love with fords and feel like i won the lottery
The only thing is i wish the suspention was tighter and didnt have so much roll.
A few quick questions.
Do i have struts up front or shocks?
What tire pressure do you guys run front and rear?
do you guys run synthetic in yours?
I run full synth in our jeep and today i did an oil change and used a k&n oil filter and mobile 5/30 full synthetic(k&n filter was because i know its heavy duty and wanted it to catch most of the crap that is in there and also that gets broken loose with the oil type change).I will use it again when i change the oil(doing a 3000 mile change again) and then go to purilator one oil filters from then on.
How often is the normal oil change in milage(jeep says 5000miles if friven hard and 7500 if drivin normal,i do it every 4000 at the most,overkill in some peoples eyes but thats ok with me ).
Sorry for all the questions but i dont have a owners book yet,dealer ordered one and waiting for it to come in

 

[agallant]

I did the plugs in my 2000 expa few months ago, it was a *****. It took me about 4 hours. I keeped on droping the plugs. I just keeped on tring untill i got them all in. But i am still waiting for one to blow out.

-AG

 

[james t]

allways change the plugs on an X through the fenderwells. jack the front up by the crossmember so the wheels will droop, pull off the inner fender flaps and all 3 (or 4) plugs will be right there if you have the V8 or OHV 4 liter. i have no idea on the SOHC.

 

[bbmoose]

Update
Thanks for all the help and tips.
Today with a more level head and not being rushed i jacked it up and removed the tire and inner fender well flap.I saw the plugs.Well about 40 minutes later they were changed
Man talk about a pain but with extentions and a swivel i won.And not busted up knuckle to boot
Thanks again.