Gents,


My old man just called and told me that there is a bracket with wires and hoses on the top of the Fuel Filter head of his '03 fuel filter head. He wants to change out his filter this weekend but doesn't want to go thur the wheel well if he can help it. I sent him the fuel filter replacement procedure with pictures that is on this site, but it "don't look the same".


Does anybody have additional pictures that will help bolster his confidence when he takes on this project?


Thanks for all the help.

I just remove the aux. battery on my '02 and my '04. Easy access. Don't have any brackets on the head though.


Mike














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I changed the filter on my 03 dmax with a strap type oil filter wrench from napa ($6) and didn't take off anything except for the wire to the fuel filter water sensor. My rig has 6" lift so I went from straight under the wheel well (would need a ladder otherwise). Looks like on a stock truck you could reach from the top side under the hood.

I pull the aux battery as well. I have a so so pic of the area at:


http://community.webshots.com/photo/123804550/123804765xzfmWu

I don't know if the 2003 is any different from the 2002 when it comes to the factory fuel filter (I don't think it is) but, I replaced mine a couple of times by just removing the auxilliary battery. I later realized that it was just as easy, if not easier, to just remove the inner fenderwell liner.


You can change the filter from above the fender, but I eventually realized that it was much easier from the fenderwell. The plastic "rivets" that hold the fender skirt in place seem to be a real pain in the ass at first but, you will quickly learn how to remove them easily.


Remember to disconnect the WIF sensor wires (a 2 wire "quick" connector) before you unscrew the filter. You will have to swap the WIF sensor to the new filter.


Also, I needed to use a strap wrench to get my factory filter off the first time; it was on way too tight.


Mike

I have an 03 and change mine per the directions found in the "Do it yourself" section of this forum. The pictures found in that article are just as mine looked. The job was very simple following the directions given. I have no wires on top of the filter head only the ones on the bottom connected to the WIF sensor. You will need a strap wrench.

I have an 03 and change mine per the directions found in the "Do it yourself" section of this forum. The pictures found in that article are just as mine looked. The job was very simple following the directions given. I have no wires on top of the filter head only the ones on the bottom connected to the WIF sensor. You will need a strap wrench.





Ditto with SC-DMAX. Exception though the wrench I used hade swivel handle. No need to remove anything. Fifteen minute job start to finish and it was my first time. Follow the directions from Eric, they are great!


Good luck

Hey, Sloth. What will happen over time? With removing the rivets. Do you think they will stand up to the "wear and tear" of removal?

Do you think they will stand up to the "wear and tear" of removal?


I removed and replaced mine half a dozen times with no problems. They get easier to remove after a couple of times. Now I have aluminum rivet nuts in their place and use stainless 1/4-20 x 3/4" bolts - mo bettah!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

I have an 03...removed the liner the first time but wanted something easier/faster. I decided to remove it from the topside but had to bend the A/C line slightly to bring the filter out the top - they changed the A/C routing slightly vs. 01/02. I have since changed the filter this way two times and have the routine down to a science. Removing the 2nd battery would make it easier but I use a strap wrench with a swivel and it works good w/o removing the battery.

My install directions are done on an 03 truck....

I used Eric's process that includes a one-time slight adjustment of the AC line. Works wonderful, and the filter slides right out the top.


But to address Mitchagain's question on his fathers truck, do the DA's with extra emissions have some additional wiring on top of the filter?

If you remove 2nd battery remember pos side is looking for a ground as 1st battery is still hooked up. I just wrap it good with electric tape. Easy way to do this job.

I just stick an extra radiator hose over the positive cable during aux. battery removal.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/Whats_that1.jpgSince the first post, my dad sent pictures of his rig. Now I think I see what the issue is. I forgot to mention that last winter he had rotator cuff surgery on his right shoulder (and he is right handed) so his mobility is more than a little impacted. Having said that, for a 75+ year old man, he has figured out a way. The battery is too heavy to lift one handed and pushing and pulling the AC lines is not possible for a guy with one wing also. The running board that he has installed has the fenderwell front support plate, so taking the liner out each time is a headache also. The next best idea is his own.... He is going to cut a "window" out of the fender well liner, put supports on the cutout and hinge in it back in place. This way he can have the "form, fit, & functionality" of the liner and still have access to the filter from below.


BTW, he did mention that his truck is "California emissioned" (purchased in Phoenix and I drove it up to Wyo. last summer for him). Can anyone tell me if what is seen on the top of the filter head is the infamous EGR?

Hmm.. CA emmisions may indeed put a damper on things. I have never changed the filter on one of them, so my procedure may not work as well.

Ya those units out on the left side have a tendancy to make a person rethink things, huh, Eric?