Unfortunately with channel-locks, you have to go against proper rotation due to the location, so you can't always get a good bite if the filter's real tight. Those strap wrenches are great to have.

 

My "hand tight" is usually more than enough, that seems to be my problem lately. I seem to have a bionic hand for tightening things cause I can never seem to get anything back off.

 

Very true, but I have the wter pump pliers. Strap wrench went AWOL a few years ago.

 

Ok....I just dont trust my girly man grip and like things tight - whatever works for you....

 

I have seen that strap wrench at auto zone. I always hand tighten mine. I have never had a problem with that method and the filter usually comes by hand alright.

 

Hand tight has worked well for me. (as tight as the hand(s) will get it makes for white nuckles getting it off, seems tight enough for me.

 

This is what I use from Channel Lock pliers. I also put a plastic grocery bag around the filter before I spin it off. Works great and no mess. I always hand tighten also.

 

And you can get to it with those?

 

I would imagine that is easier to get to with the turbo inlet hose and filter housing off. I run a BHAF so both it and the tube come out and leave decent access to the filter.

 

I use one that looks just like that except it has its own handle on it that articulates. I stick it down in there, loosen the filter so it'll move by hand, and then slide a Ziploc freezer bag over it and spin it off. I like the freezer bag because it's thicker and less prone to leak. After it's off, I fill the new filter most of the way, get it on hand-tight, then snug it just a bit with the wrench. I've never removed the hose or any of that; there's plenty of room with that type of filter wrench, since the handle articulates. I do stand on a 5 gallon bucket or a milk crate, though.

 

JFPointer,

Are you referring to the Craftsman tool (not the one shown above though)?

 

Nope, it looks like the one above but with its own handle. Similar to this: http://www.toolsource.com/ost/produc...TDSDBHJ3T2CS99

 

I keep seeing references to putting a plastic bag over the filter, the question comes up at to why. No oil leaks on removal, the level is down about an inch or so in the cannister, you would have to dump it to leak any, I never have a drip. Three different engines and they all worked the same, the commercial engine and filter is even lower than the Dodge.

 

Same here, you'd have to be pretty careless to spill it.

 

Better put a 100 amp fuse in stock...