I have been buying this filter at Wallmart and the last one I purchased was approximately 1" shorter than the previous ones I purchased. What is up with the different size. Has anyone else noticed this?
Thanks in advance,
TG

 

They must have changed the design to make it a little easier for us 3.0 guys.

I just did mine and noticed the same thing.

 

That is a pain in the butt to get around the exhaust manifold... I will buy this one if thats the case...

 

It's because it's from Ford.....they are cutting back on everything.....LOL

It probably is for easy of installation/removal past the exhaust manifold and other assorted crap in the way.

Mind you, I've always used Fram or Quaker State filters with no issues. Just a little tricky maneuvering and patience.

 

Yeah, it's a little tricky getting them out, but once you figure it out, it's not bad. I went with a motorcraft the last time i did mine, and didn't notice any difference in size from the Fram I had before, but then again I wasn't really looking for diffreneces.

 

nice, i always break my arm trying to wiggle it down past the steering shaft and then back over the manifold

 

I was also surprised at how short the new Motorcraft filter was.
The size probably isn't an issue, as long as it's changed regularly
along with the oil.

If the shorter filter has more pleats, then it could still be as efficient as
the longer filter...?

 

The shorter size won't change how it works, Ford has changed the media design to work just as well with the smaller size. They did the same thing with the FL-820S for the F-150s a few months ago

 

I always used the Fl1A on my 3.0.

 

Size is nothing to worry about. Small and efficient is better then a larger, less efficient filter. Not only is it about the actual filtering quality of the media, but also the actual surface area of the media. Ever see a filter on a Japanese engine? Super small. I always run OEM filters. Just changed mine last weekend when I did the heads.

What oil do you guys run? Personally I run 5-30 synthetic. I find Fords 5-20W a little odd. This time I used Mobil 1 instead of Castrol because it was on sale for $5.30 a quart.

 

2009 really people read the date before you post dang

 

NEWBZ

 

I was going to ask when was the last time you changed your oil, cause they did that a long time ago. LOL

 

I just got my 2006 Ranger, it has 104000 miles on it. I haven't changed the oil or filter yet. I don't know what kind of oil the previous owner used. Would there be any problem putting synthetic oil in it?

 

^ lmao

 

That just big business, they got us paying the same for less. Wal-mart must of had a very large supply sitting in storage somewhere. I use the FL 400s filter on my 2.3 and thought I had one in the garage for an oil change last time. I didn't so I got the Wix brand and was told once the OEM change sizes the aftermarket follow suit.