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.