Does anyone have experience with off brand filters, or do you stick with Motorcraft? On Amazon there is a brand called Topend and it has 4.8 rating. The pictures show that it appears to be decently made, but not knowing the brand... Another brand called Docs, and a couple others, but they all appear to be the same kit.

K&N? Funny thing I cannot find Motorcraft brand fuel filter for 17+ on amazon.

 

Different gen, but I remember when I was looking at aftermarket filters for my truck... Looked into Donaldson but they didn't have the water separating media on the primary filter. I found that out by contacting them via email... That told me all I needed to know. I only use the Motorcraft fuel filter set only.

As for sources, check out Rock Auto and dieselfiltersonline.com...

 

I finally found a Motorcraft one on Amazon. Less expensive than RA after figuring in shipping. Got all Motorcraft parts for it on Amazon including the 2124S for under $17 each.

 

Yeah, here in the state of taxation, the 2124 is about 17 bucks at the parts stores.

 

I’ve had to send back Amazon filters that although they appear to be Motocraft, (or Kohler) they were clearly knock offs.

I only buy fuel filters at the dealer. Get to know your parts guy, they’ll give you a discount once they see you’re a regular.

 

I haven't bought from Rock Auto yet for fuel filters but here's the set for 17 and up.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=6200&jsn=483

But I have bought from Diesel Filters Online before for Motorcraft fuel filters, DFCM parts and 6R140 trans filters. They show two different listings for the 17s plus.

https://www.dieselfiltersonline.com/...2-filters.html

https://www.dieselfiltersonline.com/...es-fd4624.html

 

The second one you list is the replacement for the first one.
I buy all my filters from diesel filters online.

 

I've been ordering from Rock Auto for a long time. Matter of fact, I just got the set of shocks I ordered from them for my truck and a DPF exhaust gasket as I have plans to buy a DPF back exhaust pipe. I believe I have two MC fuel filter sets left from when I placed a big order from them to get the free S&H. I change them every 3rd oil change as per the factory spec. I'd have to compare the total price for the next round to Diesel filter online. The MC set is $10 cheaper on Rock Auto for me. I found Diesel filters online here when I joined the forum.

 

For fuel filters I have stuck with motorcraft, while specs are hard to come by the coffee table book indicates the secondary filter is a 4 micron filter. Now is that 4 micron nominal or absolute (beta 75), I don't know.

For the 2017+ trucks there aren't even a lot of cross references relatively speaking, I don't believe Donaldson makes a kit for the 2017+ and even Baldwin's offering seems underwhelming at 4 microns nominal...

https://www.baldwinfilters.com/conte...PF46174KIT.pdf

Doc's claims their fuel filter kit is 3 microns however does not provide water stripping data, which honestly is a larger concern for me.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/05...f?v=1663850318

I have toyed with the idea of the SPE kit but honestly not sure I would own the truck long enough for it to make sense and I don't like how the WIF sensor bowl is so small. Unless your fuel is 100% water I feel like the sensor wouldn't catch anything. Personally, I wouldn't run those kobota filters I have seen in other kits.

 

Amazon has a massive counterfeiting problem, so I personally don't trust them for any car parts. And now that I think of it, even fridge filters I buy direct from samsung. Wouldn't risk aftermarket fuel filters on our awesome trucks. Dieselfiltersonline seems to be the go-to online vendor.

 

I'm sticking with MC for all filters and did find an actual Motorcraft filter kit. It was $8 more than at RA, but RA was adding on over $13 for shipping which made it more expensive. I have not received the fuel and oil filters yet to verify, but did get the air filter and its an actual MC filter. 6 gallons of T6 arrived too.

I do like that the SPE has universal filter fit so it does not have to be the Cat water separator, but can be one of the even better ones and can be ordered without the filters. I was tempted to order one yesterday but I have not seen anyone do an install of it on the F-450 where the water separator is mounted against the rail mid tank and difficult to get to.

 

Did you order from Diesel filters online or Amazon?

 

Amazon since that is where I got the oil from and prices were pretty much the same on the filters, if not a little less from Amazon after shipping.

 

The filter I got from Amazon is a true Motorcraft, so far that makes 2 out of three that are genuine, still waiting on the oil filters, arriving today.

 

Diesel fuel is incredibly dirty and even with 97.8% filtration that leaves 240,000 particles per gallon going through the filter media and hitting the fuel injector solenoids at high speed. Replacing injectors on a V-8 diesel costs close to $5,000 and it is worthwhile to extend the life of the injectors for as long as possible. There is the misperception that a 2-micron fuel filter removes 100% of the particles that are larger than 2 microns in size but actual testing shows that particles up to 10 microns in size get past the media. Even more goes through a brand new filter with no loading taking place of the media.

Best solution is to leave the factory filter in place and add a second filter upstream to do the majority of the filtering. Lots of kits for adding a CAT or other fuel filter to a truck. The advantage of the CAT fuel filters is that they are easy to find and when there are better third party filters on the market they will be made to fit the CAT housing. With all Ram trucks using this filter it is readily available.

With a diesel engine it is the gallons of fuel consumed and not the miles driven that should be used to determine when to replace the fuel filter. Replacing it too soon is actually detrimental to the engine as a new filter does a poor job of filtering the fuel. Fuel filters as with air filters require some amount of loading before they are providing maximum filtration.