How to change oil with out making a mess everywhere?

[Buzzard2]

Anybody know what procedure the service manual calls for? Does Ford recommend taking down the plate or is there something we’re missing?

Really, come on it’s an oil change. I put a Fumoto on mine with a piece of hose I stick on problem solved. Probably not by the book though.

 

[two24studios]

I cut off the top of a 2-liter bottle to make a little protector to keep the oil from splashing on to the top of the skid plate. It works pretty well. I've seen some disasters online... check out the Keep It Dirty Offroad YouTube channel for how to NOT change the oil LOL.

 

[Jakenbake]

I think I have caught onto something. Is there a skid plate or crossmember or something in the way of the gen 2’s oil plug drain path?

the gen 1’s are obstruction free unless you have added a transmission skid like I have.


Oil filter is a different story as you need to remove the 4 bolts on the oil filter access panel. I assume gen 1 and gen 2 are the same in this respect?

 

[GordoJay]

Oil filter is a different story as you need to remove the 4 bolts on the oil filter access panel. I assume gen 1 and gen 2 are the same in this respect?

Gen 2 filter is easy. I got two hands on it. Oil drains right through the hole in the plate.

 

[Jakenbake]

Gen 2 filter is easy. I got two hands on it. Oil drains right through the hole in the plate.

I agree. I was just saying you have to remove the access door first.

On the gen 1, that does not have an aftermarket transmission skid plate, there is nothing to remove for the oil drain plug. Is gen 2 the same?

 

[John Butler]

I let my dealer handle no mess at all.

 

[GordoJay]

I agree. I was just saying you have to remove the access door first.

No access door for the filter.

 

[Jakenbake]

No access door for the filter.

There is clearly some misunderstanding going here. The gen 1 factory skid plate has a panel. It has (4) very easy to remove bolts. Filter access is through that panel, is easy to reach, and it drains clean. I assume the gen 2 is the same given how wide the factory skid plate is.

The reason I ask is changing the oil on my gen 1 is the easiest of any vehicle I have had including a Dodge Ram with a body lift. I have wondered why many people say changing the oil on the gen 2 is harder/messier. I have heard that oil runs out on two sides of a crossmember. I just wondered where that was.

Basically is/was the issue occurring with people trying to remove the filter without letting the filter drain first or not and pulling it out/ dropping it, spilling, etc. Or was there another crossmember that the oil draining from the pan was hitting.

 

[GordoJay]

There is clearly some misunderstanding going here. The gen 1 factory skid plate has a panel. It has (4) very easy to remove bolts. Filter access is through that panel, is easy to reach, and it drains clean. I assume the gen 2 is the same given how wide the factory skid plate is.

No. There is a square hole in the skid plate that the oil drains through so long as you don't tip the filter the wrong way or drop it. You can reach up and grab the filter from below without removing any bolts.

 

[Derail]

No access door for the filter.

Filter Access panel.