'08 F-150 4x4 filter knuckle buster!

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Partychief67

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Been lurking here for a while but just signed up today. Just wanted to extend a thanks for what appears to be a great forum with plenty of reliable content and knowledgeable members!

To my question... I have been a GMC man for life but just recently bought my first Ford truck. Bought a used '08 F-150, 4x4, crew cab with the 5.4 Triton.

I love the truck so far but just yesterday did my first oil change. I don't know if it's only this way on the 4x4 due to the front axle and steering rack, or if all new F-150's are this way but by the time I got the filter off I had very little hide left on either hand, it was that difficult to get hold of that filter.

I told a buddy of mine at work about it and he said that you can get a remote filter mount adapter kit for it that uses hoses to reach anywhere in the engine compartment.

Anybody seen one and can point me in the right direction? And if you are familiar with these, would you trust a remote hose mount? A catastrophic failure of a hose would really suck!
 
If you want it to last for a long time, I would find out exactly how long the hoses need to be. I would use the hose and clamps in the kit to mock up what you need then go to like a shop that does hydraulics and have them make a set of hoses with crimped on fittings.
 
was it just hard to get to to loosen or to get it out of the truck once it was loosened? They make sockets that fit over the top of the filter to make loosening a lot easier, its what all our lube techs use.
 
Quote:
Anybody seen one and can point me in the right direction? And if you are familiar with these, would you trust a remote hose mount? A catastrophic failure of a hose would really suck!


I nice complete kit is the Spectre 5971 Oil Change Kit on Amazon. Pretty fool proof and plenty of hardware to spare. It's about $50 delivered.

As Colt mentions, it would not be unwise to lay it out with the supplied lines/clamps and them have hoses made up for the installation. It would give you that OEM like 10+ durability. Not that I've ever had issues with hose/clamp installation, but it does make one less thing to fret about over the longer term.


As was mentioned, as long as you use a fluted end filter, there are cap-sockets to aid in removal.
 
Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Quote:
Anybody seen one and can point me in the right direction? And if you are familiar with these, would you trust a remote hose mount? A catastrophic failure of a hose would really suck!


I nice complete kit is the Spectre 5971 Oil Change Kit on Amazon. Pretty fool proof and plenty of hardware to spare. It's about $50 delivered.

As Colt mentions, it would not be unwise to lay it out with the supplied lines/clamps and them have hoses made up for the installation. It would give you that OEM like 10+ durability. Not that I've ever had issues with hose/clamp installation, but it does make one less thing to fret about over the longer term.


As was mentioned, as long as you use a fluted end filter, there are cap-sockets to aid in removal.


Yeah, and if you need to have a really tight turn close to the filter head or the block adapter, just have it made with the appropriate angled fittings. That would reduce stress on the hoses. It would look and feel factory slick.

I mean it will cost more above the kit price, but I think its the way to go if you plan on keeping it.

If you just do the clamps and fittings method, I would round up a set of constant tension spring clamps. In my experience, as the rubber ages you will keep having to tighten screw clamps, and in that area, is probably as troublesome if not more so than R&R a filter.
 
I just use a swivel extension on my ratchet with a attatchment that fits on the top of the MotorCraft filter like a glove! No problems whatsoever!!! 2007 5.4 3v SuperCrew!
 
Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
If you want it to last for a long time, I would find out exactly how long the hoses need to be. I would use the hose and clamps in the kit to mock up what you need then go to like a shop that does hydraulics and have them make a set of hoses with crimped on fittings.

Ditto that, if you must use a remote set-up at all.
I had NAPA make custom hydraulic lines like that for my VW bus, so I could have any oil filter at all.
 
Originally Posted By: RISUPERCREWMAN
I just use a swivel extension on my ratchet with a attatchment that fits on the top of the MotorCraft filter like a glove! No problems whatsoever!!! 2007 5.4 3v SuperCrew!


Exactly.

I don't know WHY people don't buy the specific oil filter socket attachment if they are going to do their oil filter changes often themselves.

You get plenty of torque no slippage, and you can leave the filter in the location where the engineers put it in the first place.
 
Well, even with the aforementioned mechanical aids, it doesn't lend to the location being readily accessible nor easy to manage. A remote mount can surely make an oil change much more convenient.
 
No readily accessible? You're kidding, right? Its right there on the front of the block --- I can reach it fine and it comes off easy with a strap wrench. If its that hard for you just buy K&N filters with the nut on the end and remove/install the filter with a socket wrench. Even at twice the price of most other filters (not really since this filter is good for very long OCIs) you'll outlive the engine before the remote costs less.
 
Last edited:
I don't know the location on this application. The last modular I've seen had it at the driver side front of the engine.

..but it's obvious that the OP doesn't regard it as easy to get to..
21.gif
 
Location hasn't changed. Still on the front driver's side. On an F150 you don't even have to get under the vehicle to remove it. You can lay down at the front and reach it with only your head and shoulders under front bumper.
 
I have an '05 F150 5.4L 4x4 and don't think it's at all onerous to replace the filter, but I guess it's what you are used to.

I would recommend against a remote filter for some very practical reasons. In my own mind, it's the extra cost and the creation of more vulnerability to problems (blown hose or leaking seals) that dictates against. Remember that Ford modulars run high oil pressure. Example: With the 5W20 oil at 195 degrees oil temp, and at a mere 1950 revs (cruising speed), mine is running 63 psi oil pressure. It's over 75 psi on cold starts. You better have some GOOD remote filter products on there! Bottom line, IMO, it doesn't pass the risk analysis test when weighed against only minor inconvenience at best.

Tough love comment: Get used to it! ( : < )
 
Thanks a million for all the great input.

To give a little context, I am spoiled by the filter location on my work truck, which is an '02 Ford Expedition. The filter on that one is sticking out like a sore thumb, right under the drivers side fender well, just ahead of the A-arm. You don't even need to get down on one knee to get hold of it. Compared to that, this one is a pain to get too.

And not to complain but I have an artificial elbow joint in my right elbow and need another artificial joint in my right shoulder, and I am right handed so don't get the the idea that I am a lazy mechanic... LOL - Ftservice, it may be easy for you to shimmy up under the front bumper but it ain't for me!

I am going to follow the advice of RIsupercrewman and Mr. Allen and just get a Motorcraft filter wrench and a u-joint with an extension.

Thanks again for the knowledgeable input, every bit of it is greatly appreciated!
 
Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
I don't know the location on this application. The last modular I've seen had it at the driver side front of the engine.

..but it's obvious that the OP doesn't regard it as easy to get to..
21.gif



Compared to a chevy pickup, it is much more difficult lol.

Chevy pickup you lay down under the driver door and it it staring at you.
 
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