[malydeen]

What you will need: A new fuel filter Special fuel filter tool if your truck was built before 2004 (I think) SAFETY GLASSES!!!!!! (full wrap around or a pair of goggles would be best. STEP 1, Locating the filter: Look on the drivers side frame rail under the back of the cab and you will see a metal can the size of a pop can. That is your fuel filter. STEP 2, placing your eye protection on your face: This step is an ABSOLUTE MUST! DO NOT SKIP IT! If you have decided to go with glasses, unfold them and and put the arms over your ears. They should rest comfortably on your nose. If you are going with goggles (highly advised over glasses) pull the elastic back and place goggles on face. This step is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. There is pressure still in your fuel system and it will spray out. I know this first hand as it shot me strait in the face. Make sure you are wearing eye protection. STEP 3, Disconnecting the fuel pump power: Open up your fuse box (under hood) and pull out the fuse for the fuel pump while the truck is running. The truck will stall out. This will relieve the pressure in the system. STEP 4, removing the old filter: On 04 and up turcks: You will see either a green or an orange thing on the fuel line connectors. PUSH these in and pull the hoses back. You may need to use a screw driver to push them, or your freakishly long finger nails. DO NOT try to pull them out. I broke one of mine off, luckily the new filter came with clips (that I shouldn't have needed) to replace my one broken one. On 03 and older trucks: Um, I guess there is a special tool that you need. I dont know though I have never changed a fuel filter on one of them. STEP 4.5, clean up the gas: In my case I got gas shot directly in my face. Once you are done cleaning it off of your face and off of your camera because you decided to make a how-to, continue on to step 5. STEP 5, Putting in the new filter: The new filter looks like this, you will need to go to a auto parts store for this one, they dont sell them at Wal-Mart: Simply clip the hoses back into the filter. On the end with 2 nipples, one is large and one is small. The connectors are the same way. It's stupid proof. STEP 6, starting the truck: Plug the fuel pump fuse back in, and hop in the truck. Turn the key to RUN but do not start it. Let it sit for 5 seconds or so and then crank the engine. It may take a couple seconds to fire because of the air in the system being pushed out. You may at this time decided to run some fuel injector cleaner through your system, it wouldnt hurt but I decided to skip it. STEP 7, rewards: Stand back and have yourself a cookie, you deserve it. NOTE: I do not think my filter had ever been changed. After changing it I am now getting an extra 2 MPG (My scan gauge is telling me so). I dunno if its actually because of the filter or not but Im pretty happy about it.

[IN2 FX4]

My 02 has the green and orange push-in disconnect tabs, so that system goes back farther than 04.

If you cycle the ignition several times (around 4) with it in the on position for a few seconds, it will fire right up when you try to start it after a fuel filter change. The fuel pump shuts off automatically after a few seconds when the ignition is turned on without starting the engine. So, cycling only one time will not build up full pressure.

[Rolldogg]

It goes back to 2001, mines got them.
Safety goggles/glasses are VERY important. I got a face full of fuel the first time I replaced mine. You can disconnect the fuel shut off relay (found behind the passenger kick panel in my 01)and crank the engine a few times to relieve some pressure, but there's still slight pressure in the lines.

[RobP]

I've got a KD Tools #3321 which has both sizes for the lines you need to disconnect. I think this thing fits every Ford fuel line. I used it on my SHO, a 2001 Expy, 2004 and 2006 Rangers. IIRC, I picked it up at O'Reilly's for about $10 - 12. You can also find plastic ones, but I don't think they work as well.

One more point to add: If you remove the filter from the bracket prior to disconnecting the lines, you will find the extra little bit of slack makes it much easier.

And another point: Save the little plastic caps that come on the new filter, and use them to cover the fittings on the old filter when you disconnect the lines. This way, you only get a little gas on your hands, and not all the way down in your armpit.

[yellowjacket02]

I have a 2002 3.0 and i dont need any special tools to change mine. I start by decompressing the fuel at the cap on the fuel rail simply by removing the cap and carefully pushing down into it with a rag wrapped around a Phillips head screw driver (no rag means spray everywhere). then some slight pressure at the fuel filter connectors and its off. (push in, squeeze connector, pull off). at least then the fuel coming out of the filter doesnt spray everywhere, just sorta drips out a little bit