Got my first F150 a few months ago. 2000 Lariat S/C 5.4 4x4. Thought I would do my first oil/filter change and discovered there is little room, to say the least, to get at that filter. The only way I could see to get at it was with a fit-over-the-end type filter wrench. Had to make a 20 mile round trip to get it. Then had a hell of a time getting the FOTE wrench with required 1 inch socket and hand wrench in the space. Finally got the filter out but I am not looking forward to going through this again! Even looked at getting a remote filter but cannot see where I would mount it! God, that is bad engineering! Or am I missing something here? Anyone else have this problem?? Jim

 

seems pretty easy to me i had a 01 and now my 06 i just reach up where the plastic drip tray is and unscrew it. i did remove the plastic drip tray on both trucks because it was useless and made filter changes a snap.

 

i have a 2000 also, but i dont remember it being such a chore, i know that if you have it on a wrack, cuz i work at a shop, if you turn the wheels all the way one direction or the other, it really frees up a lot of room, maybe that was your problem, i know all the steering linkages and everything are like right there, but i just turn the wheels until there is ample room, hope that helps you next time

 

Luckley my truck had the factory relocation kit.... puts the oil filter right up infront of the drivers side wheel... takes all of 5 seconds to get it off... Might look into getting one for your truck..

 

Yep, aside from getting in an accident and ripping it off and the increased chance of leaking, you can't beat the way they mounted them the first few years. I'd love to know a part number for it, mine is starting to leak a bit and I'd like to see how cheap it is to buy the whole thing instead of just those special hoses.

 

Havent had a bit of trouble with myne yet.... you think that one for a 4.6l would be the same as the one for the 5.4l... gunna do and engine swap soon, and would like to reuse it.

 

x2 turning the wheels. I have a 97 4x4 with the 4.6 and my truck never came with the remote oil filter so I have snake my way through the steering linkage. I found if you turn the wheels all the way to the left it makes getting the filter out easier.

 

You can also try the K&N filter. It has a "bolt Head" on the end of the filter, you can use a ratchet and extentions to get to it alot eaiser. I was being a dummy, but after I hit a stump and crushed in the skid plate, mine was a real pain to get too as well. Then I said to myself "hey dummy just take the skid plate off and replace it" now it is no problem.

 

My 99 has the relocate kit mounted behind the drivers side bumper. Makes oil change a breeze.

 

My 97 with the 4.6 has a remote oil filter located in the front front drivers side bumper. It makes changing the filter a breeze. I do not know if this remote filter will fit on the 5.4.

 

I can get right on my 01 4x4 without turning the wheels or anything. I have a standard oil filter wrench the has the handle that pivots side to side. No problems at all.
I still recommend a Motorcraft filter over all other brands due to a superior anti-drainback valve.

 

Yup..same here I can sit right next to the wheel, reach up with little effort, and unscrew it. Very, Very easy!

Yes, it's vunerable in an accident, but if you get enough damage to fold the bumper back into it, then it's going to get replaced by your insurance company.

 

the remote location of teh oil filter does work on a 5.4, that's what I have.

 

Thanks, guys! Will look at the remote filter locations again, as well as taking off that oil drip cover and turning the wheels left. Great ideas for us F150 noobys. Tks again. Jim

 

Does Ford make a relocation "kit" that you can purchase? My 97 had the remote filter location, but my 2003 doesn't, and it's a real knuckle-buster getting that filter off.