A question or two before I do my first 3rd gen oil change.

For what it’s worth, I’ve went back to the polymer cap. Well, I like the idea of the aluminum, I did not like the way it actually had quite a bit of play in the threads.

 

That's interesting.

I had trepidation on my first try...I bought the wrong size filter, so I just put the plastic housing/same filter back with only changing the oil.

Since my last oil change, I have not had any leaks with aluminum housing. (I also installed the Fumoto Valve)

 

I had more time today
I have not taken off the plastic oil filter housing on the Taco. Dealer did last Toyota care oil change on it today.
But 20014 I4 RAV4 and Taco call for the same filter.
So I measured the center tubes in the RAV4/Taco aluminum and plastic housings and filter.
Sizes are in Milimeters.
Filter was measured from the glue ring to the glue ring, the longest part of the filter.
Support pipe was measured along the side, outside the pipe to its flange.

 

I didn’t have any leaks either. But the alloy cap just seemed to be too darn loose.


Maybe I’m overthinking it?

 

Go with your instincts.

I like how the aluminum housing doesn't have as many fins to align for install of filter wrench.

 

I don’t care that style tool whatsoever. I had issues with that when I did my first change.

 

I think it may have caused damage to the plastic housing if the wrench is not placed correctly when torquing off. (For other members here)

 

Sorry for the delay, I’ve only installed it on my first change so I’ll have to let you know in a few thousand miles!

I got the one that doesn’t have anything to attach a hose to, so it’ll be a pee in the bucket thing….I have brill skids and in hindsight should have got the short valve to add a hose too.

 

Good to know, that seems like a negligible difference.

 

Did you buy the aluminum from chinazon or Toyota?
I night from a local dealer with good internet prices and the threads were not at all sloppy.

 

From a Toyota dealer

 

Wow that’s weird.

 

Manufacturing or measuring tolerances. I could have made those numbers be the same if I had applied varying degrees of pressure on the micrometer. Central pipe is the same in plastic and aluminum

 

So What Works for Changing Oil & Filter out of a 2023 Toyota Tacoma Off Road 3.5L

 

Filter drain tool (easier than plastic abortions that come in the filter box)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088LX23ZC

Filter housing removal tool:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BHHTPCH9

Drain plug washers:
https://a.co/d/gZcF4mC

Oil funnel:
https://a.co/d/9VLht7p

OEM filter:
https://a.co/d/h9jdU1I

 

I got one of those for my last oil change. I do the same thing with the 5 quart jugs. It made it easier.
My problem still is a can't get the filter cap drain plug off, it turns the entire thing. I don't have a vise to hold it in to brake it fee either.

I have an Aluminum filter cap to replace the resin one but didn't have another filter drain plug to go with it then. I have one now so I will probably change to the Aluminum one.

 

Do you have a strap wrench? Hold the canister in place with it, while unscrewing the filter plug.

 

I wasn't very successful with that, I tired that. It still slipped wasn't able to get it oil free enough even with brake clean. In the end I needed to get the thing put back together as I was home alone and that was my only vehicle. Once i can have off and a complete replacement I can play (struggle) with it some more next time in a week or so.

Then I can try maybe using both filter cap alternately and see which is better.