When I got my truck I ended up getting $200 credit thrown in from the dealer's parts dept.
I used the credit on oil and fuel seperator filters. They gave me MOPAR filters which have kinda sqared off edges on the bottom of the filter.
With the filter being where it is on my truck, I'm going to get a filter wrench goes onto my ratchet that fits the squared off part of the filter.

My question is, will all the various different brands of filters have the same "pattern" to them so my new wrench will fit them all?

I'm getting ready for my first oil change, hope the stories of super tight filters from the factory are not the case, hope I can get it off without any problems...

...should I change the fuel filter too? 5000 km (3000 miles) on it

 

Some of the filters way back when didn't have the flutes on the edges; so I've only used the "regular" filter wrench with metal strap (not the flexible nylon ones) with great success.

I wouldn't bother changing out the fuel filter for another couple oil changes.

 

I have a hard time with even the fluted type wrench. Autozone sell's one that has 3 finger's. It look's like it will do the trick. Haven't had a chance to try it yet though.

 

Yeah... the 3 fingered one will do the trick... I do this for a living... They work great! Get a 3", 10" and 6" extensions and you can reach up there and pop it loose very easily... 3" is to pop the drain plug without busting your nuckles (you welcome)
While you are getting tools for maintenance... get a 1-1/8" socket and a wobble attachment and 10-12" extension for the fuel filter.
I don't like spending the whole weekend doing maintenance since I do it everyday anyway... so I find the fastest easiest and most acurate way to get that job done!

Oilguy

 

Thanks for the tips, never heard of the 3 finger type before so I did a google search, found this;

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013

Will go see what the local parts place has.

 

I bought one from NAPA locally. I brought one of my filters into the store to make sure I bought the right wrench. $9 compared to Geno's $4. Why didn't I order one from Geno's when I ordered my 4/2/1 kit???? Who knows. The filter wrench, a 3/8 socket wrench and a 10" entension works for me.

Here's something you might find interesting before you start: https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=102251

 

Got one of the K&D filter wrenches that just fits on the end, rushed home and just had to try it out!

Anyhow, oil and filter's changed, opened the fuel seperator a crack to and let some stuff drain out. Hard to tell from under the hood if it was fuel or water.
Turned the switch to "ON" a couple times to push some fuel up, turned the key and it fired right up. Guy at work has a 02, when he drains the seperator a little he has a helluva time getting it to fire, luckily I didn't have the problem.

Used Rotella, manual says it holds 11.4 litres, oll came in 4 litre jugs, added most of it and ran for 10 - 15 minutes, let it settle and added the rest.

BTW, did something I think I learned from someone on this site. Once you loosen the filter, slip a 2 litre coke bottle with the top cut off over the filter, now you can loosen it the rest of the way, the bottle will catch the oil and filter and you won't get a drop on you. I was impressed, what a cool tip!

Great place, learned tons here, still love my truck!

 

I use a 5 fingered wrench that adjusts many different ways, and it's connected to my arm... I have never used a wrench on this truck, I removed the filter from the factory with my hand and have just been hand tightening them ever since.

 

I wish I would have found this thread before I changed my oil the first time! The factory filter was on so tight I ended up having to take all of the air intake tubes off to use the filter wrench I had. It has like an 8" handle and an adjustable ring that slips over the filter. When you turn the handle the ring tightens around the filter. Then it took me about half an hour to get the thing off. Ended up bending the steel handle on my filter wrench and losing some skin off the knuckles. The oil filter location is probably the only thing I don't like about these trucks.

 

You're talking about you normal basic filter wrench. Get yourself either a finger type or one that fits over the end like I did and the filter location is not a problem.

The coke bottle's a cool trick too...

 

I use Channellock filter pliers for just about all the filters I change, unless I can't maneuver it in the location. Then the finger type, with extensions and universal joints.

 

I use one of these if I can't get the filters off by hand:


Last oil change I did the wrench wasn't needed. By taking the air intake off it makes things a whole lot easier and I can get a good grip on that filter.

 

Fisherguy, you may want to check your manual again. first oil change at 5000km is ok but the interval for oil changes is 12000km (7500 Miles). Then you do all three filters oil, fuel, and air filter. At 5000km the oil does even get a chance to get dirty well at least in my truck

 

I've got one of those and have used it for over 20 years.....then I bought the Cummins. After looking at the filter's location, I knew there was no way that would work. I got the idea of the filter wrench from DTR. Piece of cake, although I think I'll use the two litre bottle over the filter before removing trick to make it even easier and neater. Great tip!

 

That's for Shed A, that's what my book says too. I'm not sure if Shed A is what the average person should use though? I never make real short trips, engine always gets warm before I shut it off. I was going to go 8000 km between changes, a compromise of the 2 .. ¿ Always do my gas engines every 5000 km til now.

It also says to change fuel filter every 2nd oil change.