Larger oil filter for 2.3?

[HotPepperLariat]

I just bought oil and filter for my first oil change for my recently purchased Lariat 4X2. I am somewhat appalled at the small size of the Motorcraft oil filter. It is only slightly larger than the filter on my lawn tractor's 725cc engine. I have to assume Ford engineers know what is needed. I have yet to crawl under the truck to see if a larger filter would fit. Has anyone installed a larger filter?

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[Gary]

I just bought oil and filter for my first oil change for my recently purchased Lariat 4X2. I am somewhat appalled at the small size of the Motorcraft oil filter. It is only slightly larger than the filter on my lawn tractor's 725cc engine. I have to assume Ford engineers know what is needed. I have yet to crawl under the truck to see if a larger filter would fit. Has anyone installed a larger filter?

I recently did the first oil change on mine. Unless you have access to a lift, you're in for a treat getting at the filter, you almost need another joint in your arm. Being that it's so hard to get at, it was good of the engineers to put in a spill channel to catch the oil as you spin the filter off. Just be sure to have a drip pan under that channel! I don't think you could get a larger filter in that cramped space.

 

[Hootbro]

A Motorcraft FL-400S is about 1/3 larger and will fit. Equivalent to a FRAM PH3600.

Thing about larger filters is that in the rare event you have a filter failure that cascades into engine damage from it, is grounds by the filter maker to not cover it if not cataloged for the application it was installed in.

You are not solving any problems going oversize unless it is just for the feelz.

I have stopped using the Motorcraft FL-910S after finding torn media on one I removed from my wife's Bronco Sport.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/motorcraft-fl-910s-cut-open-torn-media.386980/

 

[CandianRanger]

My '19 Ranger takes the exact same filter as two of my ride-on mowers. A mid 90's John Deere and a new Cub Cadet zero turn. Makes life easier when filter shopping.

 

[NickyFlippers]

I recently did the first oil change on mine. Unless you have access to a lift, you're in for a treat getting at the filter, you almost need another joint in your arm...

I am, by no means, mechanically inclined, but I just simply jacked the truck up and removed the driver's side wheel. Very easy access and took all but 20 minutes.

 

[HotPepperLariat]

My '19 Ranger takes the exact same filter as two of my ride-on mowers. A mid 90's John Deere and a new Cub Cadet zero turn. Makes life easier when filter shopping.

I'll have to remember this. The Walmart derived FL-910 is much cheaper than a Kohler for my Husqvarna mower.

 

[DesertBumAZ]

I am, by no means, mechanically inclined, but I just simply jacked the truck up and removed the driver's side wheel. Very easy access and took all but 20 minutes.

not sure what the 2.3 looks like on the 24 but on my 21 i just turned full lock passenger side and always had enough room ones i got the liner out the way

 

[dard6555]

Not sure why anyone would want a larger filter in a modern engine. Unless to increase overall capacity. It's just not necessary. If a filter is on the verge of "clogging" during its life, you have way bigger issues inside your engine.

 

[Gary]

I am, by no means, mechanically inclined, but I just simply jacked the truck up and removed the driver's side wheel. Very easy access and took all but 20 minutes.

The filter was not accessable like that on my XLT without removing the wheelwell liner. There are also several metal lines (brake lines?) that you couldn't get the filter past. I'm very mechanically inclined since working on vehicles and custom cars for many years.

 

[nopalesgray]

I’m not sure why you had a problem getting the filter off. I just did mine and could easily just reach down from the top to get it off and on. No need to go through the wheel well at all.

 

[fordgt]

not sure what the 2.3 looks like on the 24 but on my 21 i just turned full lock passenger side and always had enough room ones i got the liner out the way

I just bought oil and filter for my first oil change for my recently purchased Lariat 4X2. I am somewhat appalled at the small size of the Motorcraft oil filter. It is only slightly larger than the filter on my lawn tractor's 725cc engine. I have to assume Ford engineers know what is needed. I have yet to crawl under the truck to see if a larger filter would fit. Has anyone installed a larger filter?

Is there a K&N filter that fits?

 

[DesertBumAZ]

Is there a K&N filter that fits?

So I tried a KN filter once and almost couldnt get it back off cuz its smaller than the motorcraft one so the toll didnt fit, alreadly drained by oil so i couldnt go get the correct size but yea stick with oem

 

[Uncle Buck]

So I tried a KN filter once and almost couldnt get it back off cuz its smaller than the motorcraft one so the toll didnt fit, alreadly drained by oil so i couldnt go get the correct size but yea stick with oem

I understand wanting to save a few bucks, but considering how important your oil filter is, why skimp just to save a few bucks?

I worked 40 years in the Powersports industry. Almost all of them as parts manager in a very busy multi line dealership. One of my customers worked for a major filter manufacturer. They made air, oil, and fuel filters for virtually everything, OEM and aftermarket. He would buy dozens of OEM filters
and send them of to China, Korea or wherever they were being made to make aftermarket versions. I learned a lot about filters talking to him whenever he came in. His recommendation for any oil change was to use OEM filters. If you use anything non OEM then use Wix. Many filter manufactures don't make their own filter medium. They have other companies put bids in for the filter medium and the cheapest bid gets the contract. That way companies can make a larger profit on their filters.

So I ask you, do you trust a filter built on price, or one made by the OEMs who have a vested interest in protecting their cars and trucks. For me I'll spend the extra $8-$10 for that piece of mind.

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