ok guys now i feel really stupid.I cant seem to find my oil filter location on my 97 f150 4x4 with a 4.6l v-8. this is the first time that a shop hasn't done it and i cant seem to find it anywhere

 

Look in front of the D. side tire kind of behind the headlamp.

 

yep drivers side wheel. actually very easy to access through the wheel well.

 

Be lucky you don't have a '99+ they are a PITA to get to right above the front axle. This location was one of fords better ideas so they had to get rid of it ASAP. I've heard rocks could hit the filter and crack it but a simple shield would fix that. I suppose the 2-3' hoses weren't the most reliable thing in an oil system either.

 

I started doing the front end update on my '98 yesterday and just happened to have these photos showing the position of the remote mounted oil filter. Sure glad I have one of the ones that is remote mounted. What I couldn't believe is how light duty the front bumper is, compared to the earlier years. It's no wonder mine was bent!

 

Hay Guy
What kind of front end update did you do. Like to do something to my 97 F250
B2747

 

Mine is on the side of the engine over the axle and is very easy to get to. It even has a plastic drain funnel to keep oil from getting all over everything. It just runs down into the drain pan then you wipe it off. No mess.

 

Just updating it to the 99-03 bumper/grille.
This parts list is posted elsewhere here.

‘97-‘98 to ’99-up F150 Front End Swap

The whole front will bolt on but none of the 97-98 parts will work on the 99+ or vice versa. Good sized part lists but a very easy job.


---------------------Normal F-150 Front End Upgrade-------------------

(1) 1999-2004H Grille Shell
(1) 1999-2004H Left Grille Shell black plastic deflector
(1) 1999-2004H Right Grille Shell black plastic deflector
(1) 1999-2004H Bumper
(1) 1999-2004H Left Bumper Brace
(1) 1999-2004H Right Bumper Brace
(1) 1999-2004H Left Bumper-to-Frame Mounting Bracket
(1) 1999-2004H Right Bumper-to-Frame Mounting Bracket
(1) 1999-2004H Bumper Top-Pad
(1) 1999-2004H Bumper 2WD Bottom Air Dam
---------------------or--------------------
(1) 1999-2004H Bumper 4WD Bottom Air Dam w/ Fog Lights
You can reuse the plastic deflectors but they need to be trimmed.


2-4 hrs depending on how much help you've got. Pull the bumpers off first, then the grille shell. You'll need to take the corner lights out to get to 2 screws behind them. IF you have an early production 97 (6/96 or earlier), the lights are mounted different. Just pull the 2 metal tabs behind the header panel. The head and corner light will come out in 1 piece. On the later version, there is 1 screw on top of the corner light. There are also 2 metal clips on the bottom of the shell.

 

I am upgrading as well but not going with the stock bumper, I never saw a need for the "grille shell plastic deflectors" are they the gap guards that the '97s already have?

For anyone wanting to do tis LMC is about the cheapest place you will find all the parts, i got a chrome center Lightning grille for $250 and a new grille support for $80, worst was the $40 FORD oval that is a bit bigger than my stock one.