2000 Dakota 4.7 l

[Brad Byers]

I just had my first oil change in my 2000 Dakota 4X4 with the 4.7 liter V8 and five-speed manual transmission. With my new truck on the lift, I had my first extended view of the underside of things. Two issues became immediately clear. One: to avoid making a terrible mess the skid plate that protects the oil pan must be removed because the stream of draining oil squirts rearward before finding the fist-sized square access hole in the skid plate. Two: The oil filter causes a similar problem when loosened because the oil drips onto another skid plate and other components. My dealership mechanic was very good about stuffing rags around the trouble spots, therefore not making too bad of a mess. In the future, I am considering a remote mounted oil filter, and possibly a short length of hydraulic hose from the oil pan's drain hole. This seems to make more sense than a rigid "pipe nipple" solution, and might allow me to reach through the access hole in the skid plate and direct the "drain hose" through the opening, thereby avoiding a mess. Being flexible, it would not get bent or broken by debris or frame flex. Let me know what you think.

[RKurashima]

Let me know how it works. I have the same problems!!!