Is there a consensus on whether or not it's necessary to do plug wires as part of routine maintenance?

I think my manual states that you should change them at 98K miles - or something like that. I didn't believe it. I've done wires in the past, and made no difference at all. I feel as though they are a go/no-go part these days.

Still running stock wires at 120K, but figured I'd ask..

 

well i guess it all depends on what you deem as important or not. I know I just changed my plugs and wires at 65k and it runs a lot smoother now, my rough idle has since gone away and everything is just smoother. If you're willing to change the plugs why not go the extra step and change the wires. If anything thats one less thing to replce on the off chance something big breaks.

 

I'm confused. My JK has direct coil firing. What are the plug wires you refer to?

Sorry if I missed something. I haven't replaced any wires as part of my maintenance...

 

Have you noticed any gain in gas mileage? Brand new mine was getting about 18 in city, 55,000 miles later it's about 13. Was thinking about doing this to improve mileage in theory this should help...

 

If you still have the 3.8 in your 08 please take a pic of those coils. you should have plug wires coming off one coil pack on driver's side of engine.

 

This may be a dumb question but can you replace that coil pack? Is it worth it? Would it help in any way more then just wires and plugs?

 

Yes it's easy to replace. Held on with two bolts. In April at 134,521 miles I replaced coil, plugs and wires. Just as maintenance.

 

unless you have a rough idle after plug replacement or a miss -replacing wires and coil is not a normal maintenance requirement.

 

I have the same thoughts as you TINMAN; thanks...

I did plugs a ways back... but once I saw how the plug wires were routed, I figured I'd look into it before deciding to replace them.

My little 3.8 runs mint, knock on wood... so I'll probably keep running the stock wires for the foreseeable future.