Every time I change oil and I'm about to unscrew filter I poke a hole in bottom of filter to drain all oil out before removal. Less mess. And like everyone else is saying, put a screwdriver through it and get it off. It's not like your going to keep it. Luckily I've never had to do it on mine. Had to do it on my brothers Honda one time. Oil change places out those suckers on tight and probably dry

 

I've never considered that, but it's not a bad idea. I'm tired of oil always running down the side of the filter when I take it off.

 

X2 on poking a hole in the oil filter. Doesn't make such a mess for removal. My dad taught me that way before I even started working on my truck!

 

I change my oil & filter every 7-10k miles or 1 year, that long of an internal, and never had the oil filter stuck before. It shouldn't be on too tight, damn the last person who put the filter on must have really used some force on it!? Hope he didn't strip the thread or something?

 

I typically use a K&N oil filter because it has a bolt head on the end of the filter But like you I let Pep Boys do it the last time and they used a Royal Purple filter and it was so friggen tight. I ended up removing the fan shroud and fan so I could get both hands around the filter and whala, off it came.

 

I recommend using a filter strap to remove the filter: http://www.servicechamp.com/oil-filt...nches/3944.asp


If you turn your wheels all the way to the right (clock wise) it moves the steering linkage out of the way and gives you more room to work with. You can also use a shop towel and spray a little brake cleaner on it and then wrap it around the filter. Then, using the filter strap, slide it over the shop towel and filter and push down on the strap. The shop towel and brake cleaner helps grip the filter and makes it easier to remove. I've never had an issue removing a filter using this method. Good Luck!!

 

A lot of those lube shops seem to think the filter is going to jump off and run away if its not ridiculously tight. I've also seen many filters installed with a dry gasket and this is a guaranteed stuck filter. I install my filter as tight as i can get it with my hands and no more. The only exception to this is the 7.3 diesel. Those things shake filters loose like a wet dog. Put them on tight and re-check them after about 2000 miles. If it does much idling the filter will be noticibly looser than when installed.
As to the stuck filter in question, I would save impalement for the last option. In this application, there is no room to turn a long straight tool anyway. I'd use the pliers -type tool or a BIG pair of Channel Locks (personal favorite ) first.

 

I tried that once. But it was on a riding lawnmower.. It fell apart.. Had to use a mudd spreader to get it off the side of the block.. But I'm sure truck oil filters are thicker then mower ones..

 

That filter looks just like the aviation grade filters I use on my airplane (Lycoming O-320 engine). Its even drilled for safety wire.

 

When I bought my truck used it had that oil filter with the stamped nut on it. It was essentially useless. You can't get a wrench on it with the way it is on the 5.4.