Oil change questions

DryBones · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:00 pm

I am wondering what filter wrench I should be buying. I have the Limited with a tow package so the 2nd fan is in there which makes things tight. Also, it looks like I will need to come at it from underneath so do you put your KJ on ramps or jack stands when you change your oil? I am also going to assume ramps or jack stands will make the skid plates install easier but should I do this?

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:25 pm

Use jack stands. Ramps are dangerous to your vehicles body work. (they can shift as you drive up or down)

Standard small wrench

Get at the filter from underneath

Use a papertowel in your hand to catch the small stream of oil as you unseat it from the block

Small hands make this job not so painful.

DryBones · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:05 pm

strap wrench or end of filter wrench?

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:25 pm

I use a strap and slip it over the end of the filter. I think either would work though.

dkcase · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:22 pm

I have settled on using an end cup wrench on a long extension fed up through the plumbing from below front.

When loosened, I can get my arm up in there and finish removing. Restarting the new filter is always tricky; sometimes it goes right on from below. Sometimes I have to reach way down from above.

The thing about the end wrench is I have, I think, three. If I change filters, I may need a different wrench. I have used most often Motorcraft and Wix/NAPA Gold filters.

I don't have the extra cooling. I'll bet that's a whole lot more difficult.

I put it on Rhino ramps; I trust them more than jack stands, which I only like to use if I am going to remove the wheels now. It's a breeze to idle up in low range.

jakewire · **Joined:** Wed May 14, 2008 3:21 pm **Posts:** 25

I use an end cup wrench.

The part I don't understand is why you need to jack up the libby to change oil or any fluid for that matter?

Mine is stock and I fit under it with room to spare. (5'10" 200#)

jeremesh · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:36 pm

jakewire wrote:

I use an end cup wrench.

The part I don't understand is why you need to jack up the libby to change oil or any fluid for that matter?

Mine is stock and I fit under it with room to spare. (5'10" 200#)

I just drive the front end up on the sidewalk and chock the rear wheels if I need more room under the front end for work.

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:51 pm

i use a strap but i can sometimes get it off w/ just my hands since i just put it on hand tight and i dont jack the KJ up either saves me some time and its not hard to get under it

DryBones · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:54 pm

thanks for the input. I was just curious if anybody was jacking it up to change the oil. Should make it easier to install the skids though.

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

My KJ has the extra fan too. I change the filter without lifting the Jeep. I just drop the skid, reach my arm up in there with a strap wrench, and wriggle it off about 1/16 th of a turn at a time until it's loose enough to get by hand. After a time or two it's easy, and really, how much skin do you really need on your knuckles? :lol:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:38 pm

I use these.......

To remove my oil filter,works great,even on KJ's with the HD cooling.I go from the bottom myself with the skid removed since I don't have that oil filter funnel anymore.

Maximum Carnage · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:35 pm

jakewire wrote:

I use an end cup wrench.

I've found that this works the best with the limited space we have.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:38 pm

I put my KJ on jack stands because it's much more comfortable to work on. I suppose you wouldn't really have to - but I do.

mrkake · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:26 pm

I alternate changing the front and rear diff lube with each change so it's easier to remember. I also rotate the tires with every oil change so I put it on four jack stands and there is plenty of room to drop the skids, reach any grease fittings, drain my Provent, etc. The high lift floor jack makes quick work of getting it up and down and I have never been a fan of cramped quarters. I would rather take the extra ten minutes to get it in the air than try to snake under it and try to work on it on the ground. I think I have every kind of filter wrench made on my tool box, but I use the strap wrench on the Libby.

My biggest problem is not spilling black sooty oil all over myself and/or the floor when I pull the filter. I have tried the bag over the filter trick but I must have torn a hole in it when I was positioning it, because I got a nice concentrated stream of hot oil all down my arm :roll:

jason thompson · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:40 pm

I send my wife to the 5 minute oil change place
It only cost maybe $10-$15 more to let them fool with it ,we use dyno oil
This means that I only have to change the oil in the TJ once a year ,full syn and wix filter every 5K or 12 months
This also frees up the time I would spend doing it on a Saturday for me to spend with her and the baby or for me to go wheelin
and the best part is if I do ever sell it I have a file folder full of the tickets showing milage and what was done so the buyer can be sure we took good care of it
or it could be that I am lazy because I use the same basic excuse for paying a kid to cut my grass

Oil change questions

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