I've been looking at some of the bypass filter kits available on the market, and was planning on putting an oil cooler in the truck also. i know the 7.3DI has provisions from the factory for bypass fittings. i was planning on running the oil cooler on the bypass fittings, and fitting a bypass filter on the return line from the cooler to engine.

is there any reason i would need to use one of the special filter mounts, and couldn't just use an off the shelf oil filter relocation bracket with a fine filter? since its a bypass system i shouldn't have to worry about starving the engine for oil. am i missing something here, or is there really a reason to drop the extra cash for the kit, especially when i'm planning the oil cooler in addition?

 

The reason for the special filter bases is that it is the filter base that regulates the oil flow via a fixed orifice. Generally .040-.080 orifice. There are pretty much no filters off the shelf other than specialized bypass filters that really filter well. I have looked hi and low in the heavy duty filter books and even filters installed factory as bypass filters on big trucks don't filter nearly as fine as a Amsoil or similar bypass filters.

As for the oil cooler don't bother. You already have a water to oil cooler on the engine and getting the oil cooler than that isn't needed in most conditions.