I've been using Fleetguard Fuel Filters but there is not a local dealer here. So I have to order online when I need to stock up and then there are the shipping charge which bumps the cost of the fuel filters up a good bit.
So I've been shopping and comparing Fuel Filters to see what fuel filter I could get local and save on the shipping charges and be able to get as needed instead of storing one or two extra.
It came down to the Wix Fuel Filter. I ordered a WIX Fuel Filter 33585XE from my local NAPA Auto Parts Store and received it today. I took it home and compared it to the Fleetguard FS19856 that I ordered from Gino's Garage. Both of these fuel filter are rated at 7 microns.

What a surprise I got when I compared the two side by side..

They are both package the same way in clear plastic wrap.
They both have a Yellow replacement gasket included.
Both gaskets are in the same position on the filter in the packaging.
The Glass media in both fuel filters are the same color (white) & look exactly a like and are seamed together the same way. No difference at all.
Side by side you can not tell which fuel filter is which.

The marking on the top of each fuel filter are marked in the same way.
They both have the same Patent numbers on them.

On top of the Fleetguard Fuel Filter I found this information...
PATENT #5.753.117
FS19856
MADE IN U.S.A.
0712211091130

On top of the WIX Fuel Filter I found this information...
PATENT #5.753.117
533585XE
MADE IN U.S.A
0821311091335

Just wanted to share this information with you all. As I see it the WIX Fuel Filter is just as good as the Fleetguard Fuel Filter or maybe even the same filter. I'm able to get the WIX at the local NAPA Auto Parts Store and I'll be saving between the cost of the fuel filter & the shipping charges approx $10.00 a fuel filter.

 

http://www.kensperformancesolutions.com Shipping on orders over $75.00 on Fleetguard is free. I will order 4 oil and 4 FF at a time.

 

The point I was trying to make is, both fuel filters seem to be the same fuel filter using the same Patent numbers.
Now I don't have to spend the $75.00 to get free shipping nor do I have to wait for UPS to bring them to me plus I don't have to store the extra filters on the shelf.
Not saying that $75.00 for the filters isn't a good price & free shipping!

 

you might want to try and find out if the Wix drop-ins are water separators- on another forum, no one was able to get a definitive answer from Wix.
you can get Baldwin 5 micron filters for around $10 each.

 

Mopar is a Fleetguard, but I don't think WIX and Fleetguard are the same.

 

By looking at what I have in front of me I would have to say that the WIX drop-in would be water-separators. It is so much like the Fleetguard filter it's funny. But that can't be to hard to find out. I'll check into that and see what I can find out...Never been a big fan of Baldwin filters. When I had big trucks running the highways I tried Baldwin oil & fuel filters and just wasn't pleased with them. I always used Fleetguard and never had a problem.

 

I have to agree with you. I didn't think WIX & Fleetguard were the same either till today...It was shocking to compare the two side by side.
I'm wondering if anybody else has looked at the two filter side by side...

 

Does wix make more than one filter for our trucks? The reason I ask is I bought a Wix from the parts store to carry as a spare and the paper is off white, almost tan it looks nothing like the fleetgaurd filters that I normaly use. I'd only use the wix long enough to get to a fleetgaurd.

 

I get all my filters here http://www.filter1.com/ free shipping over 50.00. I get my fuel, oil, 2 micron, and strainer here for the truck and oil filters for the race car.

oh, there is nothing wrong with wix filters, but like everything else on these baords, you will get many opinions.

great prices and quick shipping.

 

I see AFE has just come out with a 3 micron fuel filter.

 

Who would believe a low down filter manufacturer would stoop so low as to package the same filter for two wholesalers. This is unAmerican or something.
Not only do we have advertisers tham make redicilious claims for their items, but to think only ink print was different on two highly regarded manufactures. Who do not even seem to be manufactures, but merly slaves under some larger fat cat company. I think I will just change over to FRAM. At least they seem to make their own.

 

It could be that someone holds the patent and both companies license the right to make the filter. Or Wix pays for a license from Fleetguard.

 

GaCamper,

To the best of my knowledge the Wix and Fleetguard Stratapore are not the same filter though its possible the standard paper/microglass filters are the same. BTW I'm able to buy Baldwin PF7977 fuel filters from a local Baldwin distributor for $14.51 each. Genos has Fleetguard Stratapore online at $14.95 ea. before shipping cost are included so look to see if you have a Baldwin dealer near buy. FYI Genos still sells the standard $13.95 FLEETGUARD FS19855 Fuel Filter (10 micron) - DODGE ('00-'07, 5.9L) yet all 3rd gen trucks should use a 7 micron or smaller filter.

The below info was made possible by a lot of research by ah64id at dieseltruckresource.com. This is all of his hard work and not mine.


So after reading a few threads on fuel filters and getting conflicting information I did some more research. As it stands right now I can only find 2 fuel filters that meet current CR specs. Fleetguard, (Cummins/Mopar) and Baldwin. Wix isn’t close and Donaldson isn’t.

Current specs, based on TSB 14-007-06 5.9 CR motors require a 7 micron absolute filter. While the TSB only talks about MY06-07 I called several dealerships and asked for fuel filter PN's for older than 06 trucks, all come up with 68001914AA, the new 7-micron absolute filter. So the searching began.

The Fleetguard FS18000E is absolute at 7 microns (96% efficient at 5 microns) but the gasket isn’t ULSD compatible, so use FS19856 (same filter different gasket)...this is the OEM filter. Has a 14 gr. dirt holding capacity.

Baldwin PF7977 is nominal at 1-2 microns and absolute at 5 microns, has a 24gr dirt holding capacity.

Donaldson lists P550785 is absolute at 10 microns.

The Wix 33585XE is nominal at 7 microns. Wix 33585 is nominal at 10 microns.

I am sure there are other filters being used but those are the big ones I know of.

Absolute is 98.7% efficiency and nominal is 50% efficiency.

I have also read, but not verified, that Bosch specs a 5-micron filter for the CP3, and that GM now uses a 2-micron filter.

Update:

I currently have a Baldwin PF 7977 5 micron in my 2005 truck.

I called and talked with Donaldson and they had no clue that the specs had changed, and since the sell the Fleetguard filter with there name on it I would expect to see them carry the newer filter soon. The same is with Amsoil, they had no clue about the change, and were actually specking WIX filters, which appear to be the worst of the bunch... that should be changing.

 

WIX makes two fuel filters for the Dodge trucks with the Cummins Diesel.
The Wix 33585XE is a 7 micron filter with white glass media.
The Wix 33585 is a 10 micron filter with a yellow or light brown looking paper media.
If you have a newer Dodge and I may be wrong on the date but I think from 2003 and newer you need to be using the 7 Micron fuel filter which would be the Wix 33585XE.
If you go to the parts store and ask for a WIX fuel filter for your Dddge they are going to sell you the 33585 10 micron. In most cases you'll have to ask for the WIX 33585XE

 

Called Wix Tech Support today.
Q>>I asked them about the 33585XE fuel filter and if the Wix drop-ins are water separators.
A>>I was told that their filters meets or exceeds the manufacture specs and that the glass media is design to keep containments out and is rated at 7 microns. They said that there is nothing to worry about that through testing & design that Wix Filters are one of the best filters on the market.
NOTE: Notice that they said "One of the best filters", not the best.

Q>>I asked about the comparison between the WIX 33585XE & Fleetguard FS19856 fuel filter that they seem to be the same exact fuel filter.
A>>They told me that WIX makes a lot of filters for other companies but they were not at liberty to tell me if they make the Fleetguard filter