PSA: oil change on FX4 Maverick requires skid plate panels removal

[clippedwings]

Exactly! Look at who they are marketing this vehicle to. Do they look like the type who want to crawl under a vehicle and wrestle with an oil filter? They are more concerned with how many bikes or kayaks they can fit into the bed, and probably wouldn’t be able to tell you where the oil filter is. And could care less. Ford hopes to help them by doing the oil changes FOR them. Look at the trend - old shade-tree mechanics like me are a thing of the past. In truth, vehicles are so complex now that even I don’t really want to work on them (being old contributes to that). This is the trend, and the future - where you pay someone to do everything. It took me 20 years to construct one Experimental aircraft from raw materials and a set of plans. Can you imagine how crazy that seems to the latest generations, who expect instant gratification?

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[villageidiot]

Another crazy person killing the environment with all that discarded oil usage (slight sarcasm). It's just superstition at this point. I believe new Rangers ford recommends changing every 10k miles at first and then every 20k miles. Stop and process that. And that's the manufacturer, so the realistic need is surely even less as the manufacturer will err on the side of caution. I went to annual oil changes on my 08 Canyon years ago. I drive about 12k miles per year. Engine is approaching 140k miles and still purring. I do use synthetic and pay a few extra bucks for the 15k miles rated oil filter.

But if I want to play with it, 4k miles is way too long! I change my oil every trip to the grocery store. Cant be too careful!

my ranger called for 4000 mile intervals if I remember correctly as it got a lot of use off road, and also towed 30% of the time

That said, you do you.

i remember when Land Rover spec’d 15k oil changes, and I’d have customers coming in at 22k for their first service because they were “just a little over” and pulling out chunks of filter paper from the filter housing.

everyone can service their rig how they feel. Me, 4k, with a tire rotation every service. I drive roughly 30k/year on average over the last 15 years.

 

[Air Shootist]

Ok Gents, I have taken delivery of my FX4 Maverick today, I can confirm you will need to remove a panel that runs the full width of the truck, and about 6-8” “deep” from the bumper to the main skid plate. The rest of the skid plate is a single piece that covers the rest of the engine bay. I will take some photos tomorrow and get them posted so you can see for yourselves.

Where them photos at, hoss?

 

[thunaman]

Here are the pictures I promised! Sorry for the wait. I had to lift the truck up to fit my fat a$$ under it! LOL

as you can see there is a large panel on the front you need to remove to get to the filter. and a small plastic air scoop (transmission cooling?) in the middle you need to remove to get to the drain plug

all in it took me about 10 min to remove, take pix and replace.

 

[Air Shootist]

Here are the pictures I promised! Sorry for the wait. I had to lift the truck up to fit my fat a$$ under it! LOL

as you can see there is a large panel on the front you need to remove to get to the filter. and a small plastic air scoop (transmission cooling?) in the middle you need to remove to get to the drain plug

all in it took me about 10 min to remove, take pix and replace.

thanks, king!

 

[ColoradoShooter]

I don’t mind removing the panels for access, but that oil drain plugs location relative to the skid plate makes me cringe and I hope it’s just an optical illusion. I can already see the oil draining onto the skid plate then dripping down into my drain pan. Please tell me I’m wrong

 

[clippedwings]

Much appreciated. Thanks for doing this

 

[thunaman]

I don’t mind removing the panels for access, but that oil drain plugs location relative to the skid plate makes me cringe and I hope it’s just an optical illusion. I can already see the oil draining onto the skid plate then dripping down into my drain pan. Please tell me I’m wrong

i wish I could tell youit’s an illusion, but no, it’s that close!

 

[bgn]

Christ, what a shit design all around.

 

[ColoradoShooter]

Maybe someone with a 3D printer could make some kind of a diverter that locates in those notches in the plastic trim.

 

[vertigo12369]

Probably grab a fumoto plug to address drain issues.

 

[clippedwings]

FUMOTO PLUG?

 

[Bmr4mav]

 

[Erwin_R]

Maybe someone with a 3D printer could make some kind of a diverter that locates in those notches in the plastic trim.

Just use aluminum foil to make a diverter. I do this on motorcycle oil changes.

Jon

 

[clippedwings]

An eye-opener for sure! Loc-tite on the fasteners???

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