Should have known Ford would never make anything easy. I'm trying to change my fuel filter but half of it is hidden behind my front fuel tank. To top it off, there's a large metal plate under the fuel tank. I got the engine side line disconnected and dropped the metal bracket a few inches so I could see. The filter bracket is riveted to the frame, so I can't remove it, and I can't get the bracket arms wide enough to pull the filter forward. Plus it doesn't seem like there's enough fuel line slack. How the heck do you get this thing off??

 

Info about your truck? Year and such?

 

Sorry I thought my signature was showing. 1996 f150 XLT ext cab 4x4 5.8L dual tank

 

They don't show on the app I don't think. That bracket shouldn't be riveted. I have a 92 though. On mine its a stud or two on the bracket that goes through the frame that has a nut on the other side.

 

I'll look again but it sure looked like a rivet to me. Any tool or method to get the arms of the bracket to spread wider? Seems like you need three hands. Haha

 

I usually use a flathead screwdriver or something else to pry it out if I need to.

 

We've all fought it, dang thing is four inches forward for the filter it would be an easy job.

 

Exactly! For the life of me, I can't figure out why they didn't move it four inches up the frame. Were dual tanks an after thought?

 

Finally! I was in such a rush yesterday, I didn't notice the bolts on the other side (I had glanced and thought they went to something else. Finally got the bracket unbolted and pushed the filter facing down. That gave my fingers an extra inch to reach the tool back there. I was working blind but after a few minutes, it finally broke free. Whoever had this truck before me must have not maintained this truck very well, the filter was rusted to the bracket and it was pretty clogged. Even with the bracket out it took me forever to get the old one out.

This time, I didn't set the new filter down in the slots as it held it tight enough. So future tip for anyone reading this in the future, get ready for a fun time if you have dual fuel tanks!

 

Maybe have your wife or girlfriend get the back line, small hands are a plus. Haha