So i went out yesterday to change my oil for the first time on my 2000 4x4, and after about 10 minutes of searching for the oil filter i finally found it. I had to take my damn tire off to try to get to it, and even with the tire off there is barely enough room to stick my hand in there, let alone a tool to take the filter off, so i would just like to thank Ford for putting my oil filter in the stupidest possible spot on the whole truck, thanks!

 

next time replace the oil filter with one that has a male fitting (on the top) for a socket, (I use K & N), makes is way easier to get a rachet up there then those filter tools.

 

Ford engineers appear to have worked overtime to make so many maintenance items nearly impossible to access. My recently-purchased '97 XLT would not be in my stable if I had known ahead of time how difficult those engines are to maintain.

 

Get a relocation kit for the filter. Lucky for me, with a 6" crossmember lift I've got tons of room : )

 

Same here.....

 

I always turn my tires all the way to the right. This allows way easier access.

 

This issue comes up all the time and honestly I dont know how you have so many problems with it. Maybe you should take it to someone else to change your oil. I do mine all the time without an issue. If you lay under the truck in front of the drivers tire looking back you have easy access to the filter. Look for the solid cross member under the front of the engine. Look up through towards the filter. I stick my arm through there with my trusty old filter wrench and get it off with no problems what-so-ever.

 

well said "glass half full" I don't find it all that hard either....

 

I am with you two...I have never had an issue changing my oil filter. In fact I have been able to get both hands in there and pry it off without even using a tool. I am always confused when people say they have such a hard time with their oil filter.

 

Even with just a 3" lift its a cake walk for me.