When i got my truck the filter was torqued on SO tight, it necessitated the purchase of a filter wrench. Knowing from experience how worthless the cap style can be, and that a strap/chain style would be useless in that tight space, i tried one of these:

It only works for loosening filters, but its cool because the harder you push on it, the tighter it grips. Neat product, and it worked great for me. Now i put my filters on hand tight + a half turn, and can usually remove them by hand, but if not, that handy dandy tool works great.

 

:thumbsup:

 

I used a strap wrench on mine for the first oil change... they leave the factory waaaaaay too tight! Now I just use hand power. Install 'em snug but not tight (they will get tighter) and they are easy enough to remove by hand.

This is what I have: it takes a 1/2" drive ratchet, or you can use an open-end wrench on it.

 

AmPro T70404 Cup Type Oil Filter Wrench 73mm 14 flutes for use with 3/8" drive. Fits O.E. OF530 and Toyota/Lexus 90915-03002, 90915-03005 among others. I don't remember whether I got it at Walmart or Checker or Autozone or NAPA, but it was one of those places. Shouldn't be that hard to find.

 

The same one I use. Can be found at Advanced Auto.

 

I bought a standard sized wrench from Wal-Mart for I think $2. I just eyeballed it, and it works just fine.

The first time I removed the filter after I took it to the local quick lube (will not be making that mistake again) I didn't have the wrench and all I had was some grippy shelf liner and all the strength I could muster. That was a fun day.

 

Or you can forget the wrench and buy the TRD oil filter, it has a nut welded on top for easy pulling.

Link :
http://www.trdparts4u.com/PD-PTR43-00080.aspx?MakeID=1

 

Not all filters are the same, back before I knew better I used Fram filters, I could never get those off. I used to beat the filter wrench on and if that didn't do it I had to puncture it with a screwdriver.

 

The original filters are put on too tight. I bought a new 99 4runner with the 3.4 and after trying everything i ended up trying the screwdriver trick....well I still couldn't get it off (too tight area)and ended up having it towed to Toyota for an oil change!

The new Tacos are awesome for changing oil. The only problem I have is the low groung clearance for draining, but some coilovers cured that.

 

I use the Purolator filters. They have a yellow texture all over them that makes for easy removal.

 

AutoZone has the oil filter socket drive Filter wrench that fits our V6 Tacomas for $5.99 each (even though the ones on the shelf at my AutoZone were marked at $3.99...but they wouldn't budge off of the $5.99 price)
If you are using the standard Toyota filters, get the size "A" wrench. You have to push it down tight onto the Toyota filter or it won't grip. Once you push it down, you'll feel it lock up tight.
If you are using the Mobil 1 filters, you need the size "B" wrench. It locks up tight without pushing it all the way down.
I've bought and used both.

 

I will let you in on my secret... I use big channel locks to remove the filter. Just enough room to tighten and spin the wrench enough to break the seal and unscrew by hand

 

x2...I hand tighten when installing the filter.:thumbsup:

 

good ole fashion way just use an old leather belt to loosen it up.

 

Assenmacher Specialty Tools

http://www.asttool.com/detail_page....hp?from_search=y&tool_number=TOY 730&total=25&offset=9&stype=bymanf&manf=Toyota / Lexus

 

I ended up buying the Assenmacher tool from Amazon.com. Not a bad price with a little shipping (under $20). Obviously a quality tool that will fit correctly. I plan to keep my Tacoma for a long time - in fact, my daughter thinks she has claimed it when she turns 16!

 

Ofcourse i hand tighten. I use fram filters so hand tightening is easier. The old filter ends up getting scratched up and chewed up from the channel locks teeth but I don't care cause its the old filter anyways. Just enough to be able to unscrew by hand.

 

For all you guys struggling to remove your oil filter -- or needing a wrench for it -- you simply are over-tightening them when you install the new one. All they need is snugged, as stated above. They will get tighter as the engine is run. I have never, ever had one leak, or loosen up, or fall off of any of my vehicles. Trust me on this, I have been doing it for 45 years.

I am always able to remove mine by hand, and I'm no pumped-up muscle-bound gorilla, just a scrawny old senior citizen. If I can do it, anyone can do it.

 

For all you guys struggling to remove your oil filter -- or needing a wrench for it -- you simply are over-tightening them when you install the new one. All they need is snugged, as stated above. They will get tighter as the engine is run. I have never, ever had one leak, or loosen up, or fall off of any of my vehicles. Trust me on this, I have been doing it for 45 years.

I am always able to remove mine by hand, and I'm no pumped-up muscle-bound gorilla, just a scrawny old senior citizen. If I can do it, anyone can do it.

I have always hand tightened my filters but for whatever reason, i can never get my filter off my tacoma. Maybe i should look into a really high quality filter wrench lol (hence the topic).

 

I had one leak one time on me when I had my Fud Ranger!! It was winter and I had to change the oil and well 2 days later we had -35F. found a small puddle of oil and when checkin things out found the filter was loose. Good thing I noticed before I started her up. Not a normal situation but I do all my own oil changes and other then that one time I have never had an oil filter issue.

 

vaguely on topic.... stop using Fram filters people... buy quality... Wix (Napa Gold)... even OEM is waaay better!

/end pet peeve

 

vaguely on topic.... stop using Fram filters people... buy quality... Wix (Napa Gold)... even OEM is waaay better!

/end pet peeve

Really, i would like to see proof. As i have been using these filters for the past 10 years now and have never had a problem with them. To be honest i would probably buy other brands of filters if there were any in stok where i live, but there arent so i use fram. I really dont feel like driving 20 miles just for a filter.

 

For you guys that have troubles getting your filters off, do you lightly oil the filter's gasket before installing it? I use K&N filters for the most part and they have a nut on the top of them, so I never have any issues. But even when I don't, I still don't have issues. Just make sure you take your finger and rub some oil on that gasket first.

 

For you guys that have troubles getting your filters off, do you lightly oil the filter's gasket before installing it? I use K&N filters for the most part and they have a nut on the top of them, so I never have any issues. But even when I don't, I still don't have issues. Just make sure you take your finger and rub some oil on that gasket first.

Always have, could be why I have never had an issue getting the filter off any car or truck I have had.

 

Wow, I've been using fram ever since i can remember. I should do some research on it, I usually just grab the fram filters cause its always around everywhere i shop.

 

The filter media in the fram filters is all paper, not the glass/polyester stuff you get with the high quality filters. They're especially bad for our trucks (at least the V6) because of the fact that they're upside down. So all that dirty oil and crap that stays in the filter drains back into the motor after you shut it down. This is because fram filters don't have a drainback valve. If you use a toyota filter or purolator, you'll notice when you unscrew it you'll get VERY little oil seeping out of it. If any at all.

 

Hate to correct you but the Fram Tough Guard Filters does have the anti-drainback valve. When you buy the less expensive frams or purelator you get the cheap junk.

 

Read up Fram users... Lowest amount of filtration media of the filters tested. Guess who was highest? Hint: I use what filters I use for a reason.
Filter Comparison

 

Already posted it...

 

a couple years ago I read http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/ extensively and agreed with their conclusion, from all the testing, that Fram is well marketed crap.

When they cut apart the filters, the bypass valve was thin cardboard and basically went into bypass mode 90% of the time. In other words, no actual filtering was done.

It seems that well marketed products are the worse.

Fram and WD-40 are at the top of my "never buy" list

 

I don't like the paper end caps. They can be damaged a little too easy. While there is a very low likelihood of that happening, I prefer to avoid it. Anyways the Toyota filter is the same cost as a TG filter and is alot more solid of construction. Plus Fram only makes the small size filter and not the V6/V8 size filter which is about 60% longer.

 

So I take it you don't know that the TG3600 is the same as a OEM filter! First time i checked on the filter I saw that it was shorter then OEM I said to myself I dont think so, and went online a check the Tech spec's. I don't know why they (aftermarket vendors) spec a shorter filter but after some checking and measureing the 3600 has the exact same base as the 3614!

Here is the list of the filter that are the same size:
K&N HP-2009
Mobil1 M1-209
Purolator L or PL20195
Motorcraft FL400S
Fram PH or TG3600

 

The 3600 is spec'd for Ford V6 and V8. They share the same base mounting dimensions. Technically the 8 will work too, it just has a larger can diameter and length but will mount to the Toyota oil filter spot. I just don't trust Fram after taking a few apart and one that disintegrated internally though that was a cartridge type on a BMW.

 

The 3600 is spec'd for Ford V6 and V8.

Does it have a bypass valve? Some Fords have that built into engine blocks, so filter might not have one. Alero might be starving his engine of oil at the start up....

 

First I traided in my 02 ford Ranger (with 105000 mile running perfect fine) when I purchased my 09' Tacoma with the V6 4.0.
Second the 3600 filter is constructed exactly the same as the 3614, except its taller!
Third I use either the PureOne or TG. I dont use the lower level ones

and I remember the fram #'s better then the other mfg's #'s

 

I know my thread is old - but has anyone found a cheaper oil filter cap wrench for the Toyota Tacoma oil filter. My local Toyota dealer has the high end aluminum ones for $22 but I would like to buy a plain graphite or steel one for much less. If so, who makes it and where did you buy it? Thanks.

 

A screwdriver. $.99 at the cheapie bin at Pic-N-Sav. Just poke it through the filter and twist off...a bit messy but it'll help ya remember not to overtighten again.

 

If you need a wrench to get the filter off.. you tightened it too much in the first place.