I am a new owner of a 2000 4Runner SR5 with the 3.4 engine.
Today was my first try at changing the oil, which I do for all my
other vehicles.

After much looking around I finally see the oil filter way up under
on the drivers side. What is the best way to reach this sucker ?
Lay on floor and reach up from bottom ? It also looks like
someone ripped the wheel well rubber cover so that I can lift up
the cover and reach it from the driver's side front wheel well ?
Does not look like you can reach it from the top under the hood.

Any words of advice from the experienced ?
Thanks !

Dean

 

I remove the skid plates (in one piece) then use a swivel strap wrench to remove the filter from below. I prefer not to go through the wheel well fender liner and also like to remove the skids to keep things clean.

 

I always stand on a bucket (4Runner is on ramps) and just lean right in, .. It helps though because I have the offical toyota "cap" wrench that fits the filter head snug, easy on and off....

If you dont have the cap filter go and buy one, you wont regret it..

 

Through the wheel well!!!!! It is so much easier than trying to go under and up. Just turn the wheels all the way to the left, pull down most of that rubber shroud (try not to break or lose any of the clips.) I use a oil filter wrench to just break the seal and then twist it off by hand. I recomend that you place tin foil beneath the filter on anything that it will drip on. This saves a lot of cleaning up! :eek: And don't forget to have some type of bucket underneath. Also, change the filter after you have drained the oil.

One other thing, remember to let the engine run for a bit to warm up the oil. If you try emptying it out cold, it will take forever to pour out. But that is just my opinion.

 

I have tried all of the above and prefer to remove the skid plates and come in from below. Be sure and get a cap type filter wrench. Take your filter to the auto parts store to make sure it fits. I spray Gunk Degreaser around and hose it off after the filter change. Don't spray the alternator. Oil drain plug torque is 29 ft.lb. Be careful replacing the skid plate. The self tapping bolts can try to start new threads :mad: I replaced the self tapping with conventional high strength bolts. Found the bolts at Pep Boys.
Good luck. Give us a report when you finish.

 

Where can I get the offical toyota " cap" wrench? Toyota dealer, or where else? I tried couple of my local car parts, but they did not have them. It's just too small for my stock Toyota filter. Even Wal Mart, but they just for Fram filter . And I could not use my regular oil fiter wrech, caused it's impossible to get the regular filter wrech in there. TIA

 

I dunno, when I switched to Amsoil, I had to get the Toyota filter off and bought a filter cap wrench from Pep Boys that fit fine. Once I had it off I returned the cap cause the Amsoil fliter is a bit smaller.

 

My nearest Toyota dealer has cap type filter wrenches. Local Pep Boys also.

Here's one I found with Google

http://www.toyotaguys.com/198400models.html

You might try

Conicelli

I have bought lots of stuff from Conicelli. Great service and very pleasant and the guys know what they are doing. I've bought Toyota, Nissan and Honda parts from them. All the parts guys that I have delt with are really good.