Well I just finished my first oil change..That oil filter is a PIA!! There is just no easy way to get to it, I tried going in through the fender well with the tires turned all the way left, but that was a no go so I pulled the skid pan, still not easy task to get to.

I was thinking while I was doing it that the advantage to synthetic oil is that you don't have to go through this hell as often lol..... Ended up going with Mobil 1 10W 30 and K&N filter, which does have the advantage of a 1" nut to take off which hopefully will be easier.

 

Agreed it's quite annoying. I still think the oil filter relocation kit is a great idea, whether you're using syn or not.

Al

 

I am looking at getting one of those right now. My 98 Blazer was a POS, but at least the oil was easy to change...

 

Yes, I agree changing oil on 3rd. gen. sucks. I changed mine for the first time a couple of weeks ago and man what a pain. The dealer will be seeing this one from now on. I thought my first gen was bad. The great thing is the dealer doesn't mind that I bring my on oil.

Martin

 

I've changed oil on a 3rd gen 4 Cyl motor and it wasn't too bad. There is more room in there with the 4 banger. I can't offer advice to get it off this time but I can help make it easier next time.

On your new filter, before you touch it with oily hands, put some grip tape on the filter. Grip tape is like very coarse sandpaper with very sticky backing on it. 3M makes the best tape available and you can get it at just about any hardware store. With that grip tape and a leather glove you can get the filter on plenty tight. It will make it possible to remove the filter much easier later without tools.

Just about every dealership or Jiffy Lube type place will put the filter on SUPER tight so we mere mortals can not get it off, therefore we have to have a shop change our oil for us. Its called grease monkey job security. There is no reason to put it on that tight other than to keep you from getting it off yourself.

:mad:

 

i found that getting to the oil filter on my tacoma with the v6 was a pain in the butt. A normal filter wrench wouldnt fit. I went to autozone and found a oil filter cap wrench. it works great. The size is "B". It fits over the end of the filter and you use a 3/8 ratchet to remove filter with. I found that you need a small extenstion to get the proper clearance. Hope this helps you out .

 

I've got a '96 4Runner 5VZ-FE and it's no big deal to get the filter out. Simply pop out one of the retaining bolts holding the rubber mat on the diver's side front wheel well and you'll see your filter. i don't even have to turn the wheels left or right, you should have a long extension and a socket wrench that fits the filter. Once loosened, reach in and finish unscrewing and carefully maneuver it out through the wheel well. You don't need to take the skidplate off. I never had to. Just be prepared with a long enough 3/8" extension and proper sized filter socket. This is the one thing I checked how to do befor deciding on buying the truck.
I use 5w-30 Castrol all the time but will use valvoline 5w-30 as well.
One pan under the drain plug and one under the oil filter in case any drip out. I do spray a bit of brake clean on top of the skid plate in case the oil filter drips on top of it to clean up, not bad at all to change the oil on these trucks.
How are the new V-8 4th gen. 4Runners like when changing the oil?

 

I got the same filter relocation setup from Summit that PP lists but it was cheaper at Summit.

Look at the pics of mine from the link in my sig. I did spend some extra $$ and order some braided line and AN fittings. Well worth it IMO.

I still pulls the skid everytime I change oil even though I can get the filter out from the top. It's a good time to look things over while the oil is draining and it doesn't take that long if you leave the back and front skids connected, and use an air ratchet...

 

After 3 years of doing my own oil changes, dropping the skids (keep it as 1 piece, it's easier to put back) every 6-7 weeks, I switched to Amsoil. I drive a lot so it made sense to run synthetic, change the filter every 6 months and oil once a year. Just did my 'annual' oil change yesterday. My 6 month oil analysis came back good so I know the Amsoil holds up. I have the 4 banger too and it's easy, I just use a 'cup' socket and a long extension. I installed the Fumoto drain valve, works great but takes a while to drain.

 

Hey that's a great idea. I've never heard of that one before

 

Yeah, I was just thinking that too...

 

I like the tape idea!
The other way is to slam a slotted screwdriver into the side of the filter and turn. messy but works.