Has anyone used a right angle adapter on the 4.0 engine? I saw one of these on ebay recently and thought it was a great item. I have done all of my own oil changes since 1985 on six different Aerostars. The filter, as is with most all vehicles, is somewhat difficult to get a filter wrench on and when it comes off it drips all over the exhaust pipe. Currently own two 96 Aerostars, both with 4.0 engine. One is electronic all wheel drive.

 

As an owner of two 4.0 Aerostars (one of them is sadly waiting for the scrap man), my advice is to get the oil filter remover that looks like a giant pliers. Avoid the cheapies and you'll agree that they work great.
As for the dripping on the exhaust, it will burn off fairly fast and I always changed it before I'd go on a longer drive so you wouldn't have to smell it. After a 30 minute drive, it would all be burned off. If the used oil dripping on the exhaust bothers you, buy some really cheap aluminum foil from the dollar store and cover the top of the exhaust pipe with it when you change oil. The used oil runs off the aluminum foil. After you are done, take the aluminum foil off the exhaust pipe and recycle it. Your exhaust will stay clean.