The fist time i looked under my dad's new 2011 i thoguht it was interesting the filter was so easy to get to. it's up and behind the front axle and would not think it would be in harm's way unless it was a freak accident. i've damaged steering component once when i got my 2004 buaried in a farm field and a rock must have hit my steering damper while i was being towed out, but the steering damper has to be in front of the axle like that and is vernerable. i just replaced it with a new one and will be more careful next time. There is only so much they can do and plan for and i know they did not create a vehicle that is suitable to anyone thats why the aftermarket industry is so large. Also in looking at that enigne i see why the filter is where it is. there is not even room to put anythign else under the hood so it had to go underneath...

 

I'm sorry if my post seemed a bit abrasive, it wasn't meant to be.

I just really like where they put it!

Don't like it quite as much as the one I had on my 6.4L, as the filter up top made things easy and drip-free.

 

Just step back and look at the two completely opposite point of views presented in this thread. Those that want the filter more protected for off road use and those that like the easy access.

If the Ford had a completely protected filter, the OP wouldn't be posting this thread, but there would be a thread in its place with someone saying how unaccessable the oil filter is and busted his hand up trying to get it off or stained his new concrete with oil.

It just proves that one product can't completely satisfy or meet every ones goals or expectations 100% of the time. As a consumer you have to know what you need, what you are buying and the limitations you are subject to with your purchase.

 

After watching a fire equipment truck bust an engine oil filter and mount when it jumped a curb to get to a building with no street access here on campus... the location of that filter isn't a problem.

The filter on that truck stuck a good 3" lower than anything else, frame, axle...ANYTHING.

The 2011 filter doesn't stick down past the frame, so unless you're driving over uncleared brush in an unmodified Super Duty (which is just a dumb idea to begin with) it will never hit anything that can crush or puncture it without doing major damage to the rest of the pickup.

 

atleast the stick didnt bust your radiator like it did to mine!

 

Instead of fabing up something that gets in the way of changing the oil, maybe fab something like a chipper or shredder to the front of the truck. hmmm....lol
no wait... how about a v plow that acts like a cattle catcher on the old trains...never heard any complaints about a cow poking into the oil filter. You can put it down anytime you plan on getting into rough terrain and make it easier for the next guy.

sorry that wasnt nice
but I had too. I cant afford a 2011 till 2020 prob.

 

Im getting a 2011 in 2020 too!!! LOL

 

I agree with Ray, the OP. For 50k its reasonable to assume that when a major car maker sells a 4x4 it might mean that the truck will actually leave the pavement and engage in some duty of a Super nature. Its poor design, period. I ordered a 2011 6.2 4x4 and tried to get the optional skid plates , but they were bundled with tires I didnt want and Rancho shocks I would have swapped out. 450 dollars for 2 skid plates. Niether of which were for the oil filter. Theres no reason for us to have to spend time fabricating our own skid plates considering the $$$ we are asked to pay out. I'll do what I have to but Im hoping either Ford or an aftermarket comes up with a bolt on solution by next season.

 

I can't believe this thread has gone on this long. Some really good points have been made and some not so astute observations have also been made.

The last thing I would do is encapsulate the under carriage in skid plates. Totally unnecessary. The oil filter puncture was a pure freak accident and now we have people standing on their soap boxes talking smack about Ford's design.

I would personally rather have the ease of maintenance than a filter that I can't get to. The engine bay is already pretty cramped as it is.

I've never owned a superduty but I've owned three (3) 80's models F-150 4x4's and have never modified any of these of trucks in any way other than larger tires and wheels. These trucks have all had the crap pounded out of them and I have yet to break anything, puncture a filter, oil pan, gas tank or damage any part of my running gear.

If you want to go rock crawling then build a rock crawler. A previous poster put up a link to the perfect solution for the oil filter. Simply fit a metal can around the filter.

I do think skid plates serve a good purpose and should be used if needed but dang it guys, these trucks are pretty tall and have good ground clearance already.

I suggest you buy a surplus deuce and half.

 

I agree with those that have mentioned we need to modify our vehicles for our uses. Maybe "modify" isn't the right word, but "personalize" might be better?

There is no vehicle on the market that is ideal for everyone unless the only purpose your vehicle has is transportation. Those of us that use our vehicles for tasks, not just "driving", usually have to do some adjustments/add-ons/mods to make them do our tasks.

I bought my truck to use and I have personalized it, and continue to personalize it, to my uses. I've run a lot of additional wires and cables, I had a cap put on it, I put mud flaps on it, husky liner floor mats, etc. I don't expect to buy a truck from Ford with all of what I am going to put on/in my truck already there. If you expect that then go buy a Bufori (or however you spell it - the Italian car company that fits their cars to their owners like getting fitted for a suit, I am sure they will build you ANYTHING you want.. just be sitting down when they give you a price quote).

My truck didn't come with skid plates or step bars. Neither of which I have yet but I will add. Not that big of a deal.

On the 4x4 topic though, and I know this is now availible in 2011... Ford should have had a locking differential in the super dutys. That should even have been on 2wd trucks, not just 4x4's. I am glad mine is a 4x4 (and I will never buy a 2wd anyway) because at least I can shift in to 4x4 when I get stuck. I shouldn't have to though, my old chevy z71 would have to be in a pretty bad spot to need 4x4 thanks to a locker.

That having been said... I can still add a locker Ill add that to the list with my step bars and skid plates.

I will take a good look at the bottom of my truck and see what needs protected, although my filter is up on top (6.4, not 6.7). I know there was a guy on here that poked his radiator not too long ago. Thats the last thing I need - anything poked, not just oil or coolant related...

 

either your very unlucky or you were doing some good offroading when that small stick punctured your oil filter because i have had regular cheap oil filters that i couldn't get off with the wrench and had to drive a screw driver through it and use a hammer to do it.to get it off and it takes a little bit of force to puncture a oil filter.

 

Kinda funny seeing guys opinions on what should be included on a $50k Ford 4x4 truck,,,they sell trucks for $60k too,,,,may or may not have a couple of perticular bent pieces of steel to protect other components,,,does'nt mean the Driver can just Go through/ over anything he wants too!

Log Skidder's and Dozer's can be fit with the Ultimate Forrestry protection package,,,,and still a well placed stick can Run-you-Through, or damage Radiators, Lights Ect,,, You Just got to stay alert and watch out what you drive over.

Just because your truck says 4x4 on it,,,is in No-Way a meaning of Indestructability !!

 

written
"I bought my truck to use and I have personalized it, and continue to personalize it, to my uses. I've run a lot of additional wires and cables, I had a cap put on it, I put mud flaps on it, husky liner floor mats, etc. I don't expect to buy a truck from Ford with all of what I am going to put on/in my truck already there. If you expect that then go buy a Bufori (or however you spell it - the Italian car company that fits their cars to their owners like getting fitted for a suit, I am sure they will build you ANYTHING you want.. just be sitting down when they give you a price quote). "

Did all of that with my 08 6.4 except the cap as I carry a TC in the bed. Plus airbags , Rancho XL9000's , frame mounted onboard air , superspring sway stops, front hitch, you get the idea. Im not afraid to personalise my truck. But I think the placement of the oil filter in question was a design oversight. Changing the subject for a moment, my wifes Windstar 's oil filter is mounted behind the front end frame. Very difficult to get at and when opened , oil leaks all over the top of the frame and drips out all along the frame.It seems that the placement of the oil filter was an after thought , much like that on Rays SD.

 

The filter is higher than the frame and inside it. You could hang the truck by the frame rails and not touch the filter.
Freak accident.
Just as an FYI I don't think you can buy a truck with an actual skid plate under the engine. And I'm not talking about plastic crap.
Even my old FJ40 doesn't have one but it does have a skid plate on the oil pan.

 

if you decide to build something, don't forget that engines need room to move.