I recently bought a 2006 with a 3.0.I was looking at the location of the oil filter.When changing the filter,what is the best way to get at it,from the top,bottom or thru the wheel well.Any HELP would be greatly appreciated to see what method you guys use in changing it.

Thanks,
Ed

If you have the wrapping tool to grab the filter I go from the top to loosen it, then from the bottom to get it off

Not sure on the 06, but my 2000 can Easily be changed from the top, I have to stand on a milk carton, and wait till the manifold cools off though.

I let the engine cool and get it from underneath. I always only get the new filter hand-tight and it comes off easily by hand.

I go from underneath. I also take the box that the new filter came in, open it up and put it over the starter so oil doesn't spill on the starter.

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93 Ranger XL 3.0 V6
-Tint, wheels, K&N filter, Flowmaster super 44.
04 Mustang GT Vert.
-Tons of mods, supercharged 392/393

I just normally go from the wheel well..straight access to it.

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1999 Ranger 3.0FFV-ExtCab-4x4-My 99 Build
1998 Ranger 3.0-ExtCab-4x4-PROJECT TRUCK-My 98 Build

^^^X2 that's how I do it.

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AND also kids remember to always check your cam synchro every time you change your oil.

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1999 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0 5 speed 4X4. Cranked T-bars 2in. blocks, 3.73 gears and 33x12.50-15 General Grabbers on ProComp 152's 3.75bs.

Why do u need to check the cam synchro every oil change?

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1999 Ranger 3.0FFV-ExtCab-4x4-My 99 Build
1998 Ranger 3.0-ExtCab-4x4-PROJECT TRUCK-My 98 Build

well it was a joke. BUT you know how they are prone to failure.

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1999 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0 5 speed 4X4. Cranked T-bars 2in. blocks, 3.73 gears and 33x12.50-15 General Grabbers on ProComp 152's 3.75bs.

Yep ive gone thru 3 of them lol. One when i first got my remanned engine, the mechanic put in a crappy Dorman one because the new engine didn't come with one. It went bad fast, replaced it with a Motorcraft one.
But somehow 1 year later the single bolt that secures it came loose and the camsync moved and jumped and ruined the gear teeth. So i put in yet another new motorcraft one.

also when i rebuilt the 3.0L for my winter beater i had to put in a new one for it.

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1999 Ranger 3.0FFV-ExtCab-4x4-My 99 Build
1998 Ranger 3.0-ExtCab-4x4-PROJECT TRUCK-My 98 Build

I get to mine reaching down from the drivers side fender. The oil that does drip off and onto the starter I spray off with degreaser and water through the wheel well when I am done.

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Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms belong on a grocery list not a government agenda!
**SOLD** Original owner 2007 Ranger reg cab, white, 6' bed, 4wd, 3.0 auto, 167,500 miles when I sold it**
1997 F 250 HD reg cab 4wd 351 auto

I reach down from the top to get a wrench on it. Once I've got it broken free, I reach in from the wheel well, then put the new one on through the wheel well.

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2000 Ford Ranger XLT
Extended Cab
3.0 Flex
4x4
Manual Transmission
Offroad Package

When I had a 3.0 I got to the oil filter through the wheel well. Took the wheel off the first time, from there I just turned it all the way and could still access the filter just fine.

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2004 Ranger FX4 Off Road 4.0L V6 Stepside: Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller, Flowmaster 40 Series Delta Flow muffler, and custom xcab storage

RIP... 2001 Ranger XLT 4x4 3.0L V6 Stepside

I've thought about tying that. Who decided to put the filter there?

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1996 ranger 3.0 extended cab 2wd straight shift SOLD 6/13/15

2003 f150 4.2 regular cab 2wd straight shift still in the driveway

1998 f150 4.2 regular cab 2wd automatic daily driver

I'd love to know how you guys can pull the filter through the wheel well without spilling oil all over the place. I always just pull the filter up from the top between the manifold and the steering shaft.