bamachem

for my 5VZ-FE (3.4L), i use a filter for a 1995 3.0L Taurus. yes, for a FORD.

i personally like the NAPA GOLD filters. good stuff, easily found, and affordable.

3.4L Toyota Filter Specs: (according to http://www.napaautoparts.com)
3.0L Ford Filter Specs: (according to http://www.napaautoparts.com)
the ford filter is $0.20 more, but has ~50% more filter media...

another candidate is the filter for a 3.0L Mazda, but I don't know what year range.

this one has ~70% more filter media than the standard OEM toyota filter!


now check this out! the Toyota 3.0L V6 takes the same filter as the 3.4L. that means that you can also use the ford filter - if it will fit in the location - i'm not sure about that one though.

3.0L Toyota Filter Specs: (according to http://www.napaautoparts.com)
however, you still need to check to see if it will physically fit into the spot for the filter.

another interesting fact is that the V8 engine in my UZJ-100 Land Cruiser (V8) takes the same filter as the 4Runner, which is a prime candidate for the larger Ford filter since it also takes quite a bit more oil. the more media, the better...

the idea is to look at your filter side-by-side with other filters of the same diameter. find on that has the same gasket diameter and same thread diameter/pitch, but with more filter media (overall longer).

also:

not true with current quality filter designs. most - if not all - will have an anti-drainback feature. they hold oil in the filter when the engine is off. as soon as oil reaches the filter, then oil leaves the filter - by simple displacement - so there is no change in effective time for the oil to reach the most remote passages in the engine.