Happy owner, unhappy oil changer, kids riding in the bed

Time to vent, also how do you make sure you can remove your oil filter reasonably?

Bought my '07 4.7 long bed a couple weeks ago, and I'm thrilled. The boys love riding in the bed around the neighborhood. And people are already asking to borrow it.

Getting the oil filter off was a nightmare. All the usual tricks failed. When I stuck a screwdriver through it and turned the screwdriver, it ripped the metal and the filter didn't budge! I finally used a strap wrench and screwed the strap into the side of the filter. After breaking tension with this setup, I still had to pound the screwdriver through it repeatedly and turn it 180˚ with the screwdriver before I could unscrew it. My previous car had a cartridge which was way easier. Maybe I'll have to upgrade to the 5.7!

I have my kids ride in the bed around our neighborhood and they love it. I'd love to get semi-permanent seats in the bed. Have any of you had much luck with this?

I'm thrilled to be in the club!

 

You can't undo what previous owner and dealers do. 2007+ 5.7L has a cartridge style filter. Assume your 4.7L is like the first gen 4.7s and has a spin-on filter at the lower left front of the engine like my 2000 AC has. I use a cheap cap wrench that fits onto the end of the filter and loosen the filter. When replacing the filter be sure to apply some fresh oil to the rubber sealing gasket and then spin the filter hand tight and maybe 1/4 turn more. You just need it snug with a liquid tight seal so it doesn't come loose. When I bought my 2018 it came with a few free oil changes. I'm convinced the dealer monkey mechanics used their impact guns to tighten the filters. Morale of the story...if you want it done right, do it yourself. Welcome to the forum and enjoy your truck.

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)!

 

Welcome

 

I have had the same screwdriver frustrations. a mechanic friend recommended me one of these and I haven't looked back.

https://www.craftsman.com/product/cmmt98352/3-jaw-oil-filter-wrench

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome and greetings from Minnesota.

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Welcome form Texas. You probably already know this, but be sure to put some oil on the o-ring when you put on the new filter. Also, don't grab and yank, use an oil filter wrench and apply steady pressure. A lot of people over tighten the filter and the quickest way to loosen it is to pull steadily and hold the pressure. When it slips, increase pressure a little and it'll spin off. A friend once decided to do his own change and one of his relatives said "Here, let me show you how." and tried the screwdriver through the filter trick. It sheared off completely. After he had it towed in and fixed, he was much more careful when changing the oil.

 

^^^This

 

Thanks for the recommendations. I haven't had much luck with the 3-arm filter tool in the past; it didn't seem like it had enough contact area on the filter to get enough friction. I was frustrated enough with the removal process that I went out and bought something that I'm hoping will always be more than enough.

$30 Motivx Tools Oil Filter Wrench for Toyota Camry, Tundra, Tacoma, 4Runner, RAV4 and More - 64mm 14 Flute Precision CNC Machined Aluminum Oil Filter Removal Tool

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XTAGHU0?ie=UTF8

Thanks for the warm welcome, I'm looking forward to being a part of this community.

 

Welcome from New Hampshire, Motivx is a good choice! Has worked good for me.

 

Welcome from the Basin of Arizona...Mesa!