I bet it had nothing to do with Ford. I bet the manufacturer of the filter came up with a cost cutting solution that benefited them and Ford rubber stamped it.

I do not have any problem removing my filter. I just have to remember to turn the wheels before an oil change.

 

Your right on!....Except it came out in 97!......It's all about saving them money!......

 

Poor choice of words. Meant to convey that they only became a PITA since the 2004 model change.

 

I changed a 01 5four twice, - before I got rid of it. It was one the reasons I didn't like the truck honestly lol. It was a messy PITA. I didn't turn the wheels - didn't really think of it at the time. It was more of job cleaning up the mess.

I didn't like the truck mainly because it wasn't a 4wd. I wasn't to fond of the Teal color as well. Purchased from a friend who stored it here - gave me a deal a couldn't pass up. Sold it , made some cash on it -it only had 60 thousand miles. Seemed to have a hard time pulling my trailer for some reason. Idk, just didn't like it lol. Didn't realize how good the 98 really ran, until the comparison.

I wish I would have put the damn seats in my 98 before I sold it! Oh well.
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Anyway! - So the 04 is even more difficult to change ? I've been spoiled with the remote system to long. - Won't settle for any other. With the remote system, a shorter filter should make it a little easier. If i can still get a good grip on it. I usually don't need a filter wrench to remove if I rinse my hands off w/brake clean first lol.

 

Ford isn't saving any money though. They do not make the filters.

 

Let's see here, in the last couple of years we saw gas prices double, then triple. We saw grocerys double, and please don't forget the morons that are paying upwards of $10.00 a gallon for what? Water! And a soda by the 16oz costs $12.00 a gallon yet you want to complain about Motorcraft saving money. Did it ever occur to you that maybe, just maybe, this kept them from going UP on the price of the filters that you are still paying a far too cheap price for in comparison to the other things you screw off money on? Did you ever stop to think that maybe they are standardizing sizing of the cups made for the media so they can buy in more quantities getting a cheaper price, cutting SKUs, limiting inventory space, cutting the funds necessary to float the production, etc to help keep the cost down? Do some of you even both to think? I think some of you guys have been in traffic far too long and the exhaust fumes have effected yer brain cells.

 

Say as you wish, however, not too long ago, when I was contemplating buying a Ford F-150, I remember watching a "Truth About Trucks" video, & a dude was making fun of the size of the "other guy's" oil filters, that were suppost to protect their "Investment".........The size of Fords oil filter, was one thing that they were boasting about!.........

 

No need to get nasty. The point I tried to make is that Ford did not reduce the size of the filter to help reduce the difficulty in servicing the filter. Ford's goal is to make a profit on each unit/ vehcle. I do not begrudge them a profit but I am not naive enough to actually think that they did this for the benefit of the lube jockey. JOB 1 = profit.


.

 

Since when does the 4.2 use the 820 filter anyway?

Are people seriously running out to buy up these old filters? That's just great...now I won't be able to find 9mm or oil filters at Wally World.

 

The media quality has evolved over time and what houses it is catching up. One thing about Motorcraft products that stands out, - they HAVE to meet Ford spec.

The benefits of all this in other areas can't be helped, but it sure can get scrutinized and does!

You can trust it's safe, that's all we need to know.

 

Shoot... I'm an idiot.

Don't mind me! :o

But I'll sell you the 1 old style 820 for $50.00!




j/k

 

Thanks for the generous offer, but I would only lay out that kind of cash for the new and improved filter.

I thought I was gonna bust you on the 4.2/820 deal, but wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt in case the smoke stack install required a switch to the FL820S.

 

Ive got a stock grey front 60/40 bench you might be able to talk me out of

 

I'll call Patrick, - You deliver lol. Yea , I can imagine what shipping would be on that. Actually, USPS might not be that bad.

Sounds Good tho.

 

And the point I was trying to make is that Ford has nothing to do with it. I am sure it was done by the filter manufacturer to lower their costs not Ford's.
Ford probably received a sample and rubber stamped their approval on it. I bet if you look at the non-Motorcraft branded units from the same manufacturer they have shrunk as well.