cherrybomb
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- April 1, 2005
- Messages
- 255
- Reaction score
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- City, State
- Southern California
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '99 EB 5.0L (R.I.P)
Ever since I read Aldive's thread on installing the Amsoil Bypass oil filtration system on his X, I've been convinced I needed to do the same on mine.
However, it didn't take me long to realize that the mounting location he chose for the filters wouldn't work for me. His truck has the 4.0L SOHC motor, while I have the 5.0L v8. The stock oil filter location is very different!
So here's my (brief) writeup of installing the Amsoil Bypass filtration system on the 5.0L, and my mounting location for the filters.
Just like Al, I used the Dead Link Removed with a BE-90 Bypass filter and SDF-15 full flow filter.
I decided to mount the filters in front of the radiator, approximately in the middle ( a bit closer to the drivers side ).
The stock oil filter for the 5.0L is behind the radiator on the drivers side, so I only had to use very little hose, in a "U" shape. In order to get proper clearance, and a smooth curve on the hose, I used 90 degree adapters on both the engine side, and the bypass filter block. I ordered the first pair of 90 degree fittings from Amsoil ( actually had them lying around from doing this same install on my wife's 92 Lexus ES300 ), which cost $31.25 (Dead Link Removed). After mocking everything up, I realized I needed another set of 90 degree fittings, and I also realized that these are simply 1/2" 45degree flare fittings. So I bought some fittings from a plumbing supply store to the tune of about $10.
In order to install the filter block on the support in front of the radiator, I used an existing hole/slot for one of the bolts, and drilled a new hole to the right of that for the second bolt. I also drilled a 1/2" hole into the support from the bottom, to be able to access the bolt for tightening etc. I ended up putting the bolt on the inside of the support, and the nut on the outside. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of this process, but I could probably get some more detailed pics or descriptions if desired.
After installing the whole kit, the 5.0L motor took 8 quarts of Mobile 1 5-30 oil, nearly 3 quarts more than stock!
After driving around for a day, I did discover a couple of small leaks due to fittings which had not been tightened sufficiently. Since tightening them, I've had no problems.
The hoses do hang slightly below the radiator, though I don't foresee them being a problem since this is a 2wd, and I do not offroad. In the future I plan to get an Explorer Express front air dam which I trust will hang down farther than the hoses do anyway.
Currently, I believe there is enough clearance between the front bumper, and the radiator to remove the filters when it is time to service them, but even if not, the beauty of the bypass system is that I won't be servicing it regularly, so the minor pain of removing the 4 nuts and the front bumper is minor, if necessary.
Here are some pictures of the project.
The engine side mount just behind the radiator, and above the front anti-sway bar.
engine-side by qwikrex, on Flickr
The view from the front of the vehicle with the filters installed.
front by qwikrex, on Flickr
A view of how much (or how little, in my opinion) the hoses droop below the radiator.
hosedroop by qwikrex, on Flickr
However, it didn't take me long to realize that the mounting location he chose for the filters wouldn't work for me. His truck has the 4.0L SOHC motor, while I have the 5.0L v8. The stock oil filter location is very different!
So here's my (brief) writeup of installing the Amsoil Bypass filtration system on the 5.0L, and my mounting location for the filters.
Just like Al, I used the Dead Link Removed with a BE-90 Bypass filter and SDF-15 full flow filter.
I decided to mount the filters in front of the radiator, approximately in the middle ( a bit closer to the drivers side ).
The stock oil filter for the 5.0L is behind the radiator on the drivers side, so I only had to use very little hose, in a "U" shape. In order to get proper clearance, and a smooth curve on the hose, I used 90 degree adapters on both the engine side, and the bypass filter block. I ordered the first pair of 90 degree fittings from Amsoil ( actually had them lying around from doing this same install on my wife's 92 Lexus ES300 ), which cost $31.25 (Dead Link Removed). After mocking everything up, I realized I needed another set of 90 degree fittings, and I also realized that these are simply 1/2" 45degree flare fittings. So I bought some fittings from a plumbing supply store to the tune of about $10.
In order to install the filter block on the support in front of the radiator, I used an existing hole/slot for one of the bolts, and drilled a new hole to the right of that for the second bolt. I also drilled a 1/2" hole into the support from the bottom, to be able to access the bolt for tightening etc. I ended up putting the bolt on the inside of the support, and the nut on the outside. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of this process, but I could probably get some more detailed pics or descriptions if desired.
After installing the whole kit, the 5.0L motor took 8 quarts of Mobile 1 5-30 oil, nearly 3 quarts more than stock!
After driving around for a day, I did discover a couple of small leaks due to fittings which had not been tightened sufficiently. Since tightening them, I've had no problems.
The hoses do hang slightly below the radiator, though I don't foresee them being a problem since this is a 2wd, and I do not offroad. In the future I plan to get an Explorer Express front air dam which I trust will hang down farther than the hoses do anyway.
Currently, I believe there is enough clearance between the front bumper, and the radiator to remove the filters when it is time to service them, but even if not, the beauty of the bypass system is that I won't be servicing it regularly, so the minor pain of removing the 4 nuts and the front bumper is minor, if necessary.
Here are some pictures of the project.
The engine side mount just behind the radiator, and above the front anti-sway bar.
engine-side by qwikrex, on Flickr
The view from the front of the vehicle with the filters installed.
front by qwikrex, on Flickr
A view of how much (or how little, in my opinion) the hoses droop below the radiator.
hosedroop by qwikrex, on Flickr
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I'll buy it! 
