Hey everyone. I have been doing a little bit of research into replacing the fuel filter on my 2007 Ranger myself, and I was wondering how easy/difficult it is to do. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

 

If your filter is like the one on my 99,,,it is under the driver's door on the frame. You will need a kit to remove it.The kit contains several usually plastic tools of different sizes for different models. It is not that hard once you get the right sized tool and get it to engage and release the line from the filter.

 

Ford Rangers had different types of fuel filters over the years. Some of them, like my '98, had a fuel filter that just snapped together and you needed a fuel filter disconnect tool to remove the fuel filter.
Later models, like yours (IIRC), had little horseshoe clips that held the lines on the fuel filter. Unless your truck has been modified, I believe this is what you have. These pop out with a small screwdriver and then the hoses simple come off the fuel filter. Your filter may have two or three lines attached to it, all of them having a small plastic horseshoe that needs to be pried out and new clips should be used to keep the fuel lines attached to the new filter. Some of your cheapie filters will come with these clips. Other more expensive fuel filters, like Motorcraft, make your purchase them separately. Anyway, just make sure you have the new ones before you proceed. It's also best to do the filter change with the pressure relieved from the lines, as they may have around 50 psi of gasoline in them. It's best to remove the fuel pump relay and crank the vehicle to relieve the pressure.
One more little bit of safety: Don't use an old incandescent trouble light when replacing a fuel filter. One small drop of gasoline hitting the hot bulb can pop the bulb and start a fire.

 

As stated you should have the horseshoe clips. To remove filter place a small screwdriver (or better yet a curved paint lid remover) on the flat top of clip and push in and hold while moving line toward filter and then away and line should release. Very easy no tools required. Do not attempt to pry clips out of where they are mounted. Very fragile and not easy to locate replacements.
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Yea, after thinking about it, those get pushed in instead of pulled out and are easy to do if all the hoses are clean. Glad all went well.

 

Consider doing the job Outside.

Don't do the job in an enclosed space where fumes can concentrate.
As fuel fumes are heavier than air, they can travel along a floor to an ignition point, like an open flame from a gas water heater, furnace, lit cigarette butt, electric motor armature brushes, or a hot shop light as has been suggested.... well you get the idea, Be Fore-thoughtful & Careful.

After disabling the fuel pump so it won't run & cranking the engine until it stops trying to start, so to relieve fuel pressure in the fuel lines, also loosen the gas cap so heat won't build pressure in the tank while you have the fuel line/s open to replace the filter.

I leave the fuel door Open, to remind myself to retighten the gas cap when finished.

The filter & lines will likely have some remaining fuel in them, so have a fuel safe container & some wipes under the de-connection spot to catch any drips.

I wear fuel tolerant work gloves & safety glasses too.

EDIT: Forgot, Choose a Motorcraft fuel filter, if not, Make sure the filter you use, says in writing it meets or exceeds these material construction & filtering parameters here. https://www.fordparts.com/Products/F...elFilters.aspx

More thoughts for consideration, let us know how it goes.