Originally Posted by Moriar
My Gf's 2004 Ford Ranger XLT FX4 with the 4.0 V6, With Tow Package requires a Huge filter that can hold a qaurt of Oil itself, And one with out Tow Package, and that is a dinky small honda filter.
I had went to Ford and got the OEM filter and didnt know that there was a difference and i got the non tow package filter, and it was like 4 inches long and i took the old one off, razor bladed the block, and then put the new one on and put oil in, then started truck up and backed it out and noticed drips of oil, and i started her back up and took a look underneath and there she is pissin oil out the bottom.
Went back to ford with that filter and it so happens the guy that knew what he was doin, asked me if i had Tow or No Tow, and gave me the right filter and didnt have a problem since.
FL1A and the FL820 are the same ID on the threads and block sealing, difference is in the length. there is no difference in oil filters for a tow or non tow vehicle, the only difference is in 3.0 vs. 4.0 engines, which i reckon is their way of IDing in their system by tow vs. non tow.
the only filters i have a listing for in that vehicle is an FL820s for the 4.0, and an FL400, which is for the 3.0 and four banger.
the FL1a was used on the older 4.0's till about 2000, then it went to the FL820 if i recall.
the fun times are on heavy equipment when you get the wrong thread on the filter, it will spin on and snug up,. but when you fire it up, it blows off. nothing like having to clean up three gallons of Rotella before you can shut it off.