Haven't had the truck long, so haven't needed to change the oil yet. But just looking at it I can tell that removing the old filter is going to make a nasty, oily mess because of its location.

Any tips/tricks to minimizing the mess?

Why can't they design an engine with an easy to reach oil filter anymore, like my old 7.3 diesel had?

 

it's actually not that bad. I have put 70,000 miles on my truck so I have changed oil in it over 20 times(I've always done it myself). You will notice there is a plastic spill tray in front of the filter that is designed to let the oil slide down. One thing to be aware of is that it will mostly not go down that spillway. It tends to drain down right in front of the front differential. then as you pull the filter out the rest of it goes down that slide. One thing to be aware of is you will need a filter wrench that goes on the end of a socket and at least a 4 inch extension. I found a filter wrench on ebay that is stamped to fit the Motorcraft filter. I had one before that was all purpose, it just grabbed the filter as you loosened and it works good too. But all in all it is not to bad, I have seen a lot worse.

 

Thanks. Would a rubber strap wrench work? It looks like I can get one around it. If not, I'll pick up a socket filter wrench.

 

I like the ones that go on a socket because I never had enough room to get my arm deep enough up in there to be able to use a rubber strap type. That's why I use the socket filter wrench and a 4 inch extension. To me its hard enough to get my arm up in there to tighten the new filter.

 

The claw type filter tools work great. They go on a 3/8 ratchet or extension. I have a Craftsman one I got at Kmart. Works great I think it only cost around $10.

 

The oil filter catch tray has a drain built into it that drips straight down in front of the front differential. It works slick as long as you unscrew the filter a bit and give it time to drain down into the pan. If you get impatient and pull the filter out right away it will get messy.

 

Idk what its worth, but you can get to it from the top but if you get underneath its makes it 10x easier

 

I use a multi size filter wrench that fits on my socket. I unscrew and let the oil drain onto the plastic funnel and then screw the filter off the rest of the way. I then clean the funnel so any remaining oil doesn't drip. The job is not that messy. Make sure the filter gasket comes off with the filter.

 

I find it easy and clean to change the filter from the top.