Hey guys, i have a 2000 and have been looking at the 04-08 models and one thing i hate about my current F150 is the oil filter location. Did ford improve this with your body style and 3v motor?

 

It depends what you mean by improved. It's at the front of the engine on the drivers side.

 

is getting to it still a PITA like the 99-03 models to get at?

 

Not in the least. I have changed the oil twice on my '05 so far, and it is a PITA big-time. Just make sure you hand-tighten, and a ratcheting oil filter wrench is a great thing to have, very hard to get two hands up there where its at if you are a normal sized human.

 

why do you need a wrench?

and

why do you need 2 hands?


a properly installed filter is run up snug, then about 1/2 a turn more. Let the gasket do the job it was designed to do.



The filter on the 5.4 is pretty easy to change. You have to contort into a weird position to fit your hand into that slot...but it's fairly straightforword. Nothing overly difficult.

 

I take the air intake off (1 10MM bolt) and get to it from the top. Use a 1 qt. zip lock bag over the filter when you unscrew it and you won't have oil all over. The easiest and cleanest way I have found yet to do a change on the F-150. Hand tighten ONLY!

 

I don't understand why people complain about the filter. Compared to most vehicles, it is a piece of cake. My truck is a bone stock 4X4 and I change my oil and filter without jacking the truck up (and I'm a fat boy). I have an oil removal "socket" that fits over the notches on the end of the filter with a place to put a 3/8" ratchet or extension in the middle. I pop it on, put the ratchet with extension on the end and loosen the filter about 1/4 turn and then remove it by hand. I hand tighten the filter with one hand (but removal usually but not always takes the tool).

 

Me either, the only time I have a problem with the filter is if it gets over tightened. I do the oil changes myself in the warm weather, when it gets cold I take it to my dealer and there's always someone that will put it on too tight. The filter on the 5.4 is accessible from the top and bottom, this is the first vehicle I've owned that's given me that option.

EDIT: I just noticed that you can see the filter in my sig, drivers side under the power steering pump.

 

I usually do the above but i use a K&N because it has the nut on it. I put it on with one hand and give it about a 1/2 turn with the ratchet, done 100s of oil changes on my vehicles and have never had a oil filter leak, fall off, or have i never had one i couldnt get off because i put it on too tight.

 

I always used a K&N oil filter on mine so that I could put it on and take it off with a ratchet.

 

Me too !!

 

I don't concern myself with the filter location. I always take my truck to the dealer to get the oil changed. Oil change coupons rule.

 

I changed mine from the top. Very easy to do.

 

I changed mine for the first time a few weeks ago and it took me 45 minutes to get the damn filter off. I tried every wrench and socket I had and was finally able to contort enough to get it off. When the dealer had it changed (just bought the truck 3k miles ago) they cranked the filter on as tight as possible.

 

Compared to most vehicles I've changed oil on, this truck has got to have the easiest and cleanest filter location. One hand and a little muscle loosens it. Then if you don't take too much time spinning it off, what liitle oil spills will drip into the recession of the skidplate which has a little drain hole.
If filters are too tight I always use one of those strap things, I dunno the proper name of it but it always works well.