Well I just changed my oil for the first time on my 4 cyl Taco and got a nice oil shower! I knew the filter would be full of oil but didnt realize the amount that came out after it was off. Since there is no top or side access to it as was with the 22R, you have no choice but to have it come down on ya! Other than putting down newspapers and putting a plastic bag over the filter when spinning it off, are the any other tips to make this less messy? With the price of oil and a filter these days, its easier to pay a few bucks more and have the stealership do it with OEM filter, no mess and no oil to get rid of.

The only argument I have against that is changing your own oil assures that you are checking other things while you're doing it. Like making sure the driveshaft is lubed. How would you ever know if the dealer didn't do it? Checking for new leaks here and there, loose bolts, abnormal tire wear, etc.

Good point. While I was under there I discovered a frozen up e-brake arm and the d-shaft zerks did have alot of crud
on them and looked untouched. Now I know how they get it out in 29 minutes or less or the next ones free. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" /> Bad stealership! I have gotten a few freebies though. I had to point out that it took longer and ask for a free cupon and after awhile they dreaded to see me coming. After much fighting and excuses I reported them to Toyota HQ which is a major blow to the stealership and recommended a complete restaffing after seeing them rape old ladys with unneeded repairs and services. When the hell is Toyota going to design an E-brake that doesnt constantly sieze up. This has been a prob since gen 1. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />

Put an old air filter or towel under the filter on top of the skid plate. I've been considering remote mounting my filter just for the reason you mentioned.

Since when is a brake inspection part of an oil change? You can't expect every problem on your vehicle to be noticed in 29 mins.

Get an old antifreeze (or oil) bottle. Lay it on its side, label up. Cut the top of it out, around the label, making yourself a small oil pan. Use it to catch the oil coming down from the filter. If you can fit the coolant bottle in there, great. If not, try the oil bottle. Can you drop your skidplate? Will it drain down to the ground then? That makes it easier.

Slowly loosen the filter until you see oil start to drain out, and stop. Let the oil run down the filter until it slows down. Now loosen it a little more, and more will come out. Do this until it stops draining, and then remove the filter. A lot less mess this way.


Or, take a screwdriver or punch, and poke a hole in the bottom of the oil filter and let all the oil drain out of it before you spin it off.

Be glad you don't have the 5vze oil filter setup. Its attached to the side of the block, and there is no way to stop it from draining down the side of the block, onto your front diff. Just have to have a can of brake clean to clean it up.

Use a 1 quart cottage cheese or yoghurt container to let the filter down into. I keep one around now, just for that purpose. I agree, Toyota could've done a MUCH better job here.

I use my oil for burning brush. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I never said brake inspection WAS part of an oil change and did not expect them to be inspected. I was just pointing out that when you do your own oil you indeed find other things and even if I get someone else to change my oil I still have to crawl under there periodically to check these things out, knowing that they're prone to failure. It isnt until an e-brake, u joint, seized spare winch, etc. completely stops working that most people would take it in for repairs. These same people dont get under there periodically and have someone else change their oil and prolly neglect to grease the shafts.

I put a remote filter kit on my 3.4 Taco, and it has been the best mod I've ever done to a vehicle. I got my stuff from tvmtaylor on Ebay. I routed the hoses off the block adapter directly out past the upper a-frame mount into the driver's side wheel well, and then forward to where I mounted the filter mount at the front of the wheel well. Oil changes are a snap, and the filter is out where I can get at it, and the oil drips off the filter straight down into my drain pan, without dripping on anything. The filter is far enough forward, and the hoses close enough to the inner fender, that the front tire clears easily.

If you do decide to relocate your filter, get the Hayden adapter that fits on the block:



DO NOT get a block adapter that looks like the one shown in the coil of the hose here -- I've tried several of these on various vehicles, and I've never been able to tighten the brass hose fittings enough to prevent leaks without cracking the aluminum housing:

How much extra oil does it take to compensate for the hoses?
The 2.7 already takes 5.5 qts. Thats a qt. more than the 2.4. Can you mount the filter vertically and horizontally?