I was looking under the truck the other day and was wondering how to change my oil. Its time for a really badly needed oil change but before I start ripping skid plates off the truck, I was wondering how the process is done.

There seems to be a added plate in the middle of the main skid plate. Does this have to come off to access the oil pan plug? As you can tell, I havent changed the oil, haven't had the truck very long and has been off the road for a year till now.

 

I feel like you asked this already. But no you do not have to remove the skid plate to change the oil.

 

Ya I did hahaha I checked my messages earlier and your reply was in there from a month or so back. Didn't want to bother ya with more questions. lol Im thinking of taking some pictures because I don't see any other access other than a large oval grommet.

 

Ok Im a retard... just crawled under my truck and oh whats that I see, a oil pan plug and the whole damn oil pan. Im used to working on cars where everything is near the front...

 

Best way to get to the filter is through the front, right wheel well...limited space from above on that side.

 

I've changed my oil a number of times already, Try to get the filter off through the passenger side of the engine, there is a gap there and you can get it off there if it isn't too tight. If it's too tight, just get underneath and you will get a much better grip on it. When you put the new filter on, rub a little oil on the threads, and screw it to where the rubber grommet makes contact. At that point tighten it slowly and just enough that it is sealed. You don't want them on tight, believe me. That last one was a B*&^% to get off, I had to use the hammer & screwdriver deal on it and it made a mess.

 

You mean the rubber gasket right?

 

Both...gasket and threads.

 

I second that. The other thing is that you will want to make sure that the rubber gasket comes off with the old filter. Even though I have changed my own oil since I was 15 for some reason, the rubber gasket stuck to the adapter plate and I didnt notice that it didnt come off with the filter on my 383. I installed a new filter and oil, ignorant of the fact that there were then two rubber gaskets in place. I started it up and oil spewed all over everything. It took me a while to realize what had happened. But a very good lesson was learned that day.

 

Yeah I've had friends who've done that. I always double check that, out of all my oil changes I've only managed to have 1 gasket remain stuck to the block, I'm glad I checked!