changing the oil on a o3 Z71???

[rebel77]

I am going to change the oil for the first time on my truck. I want to make sure of a few things. Where do you guys put the jack, which side or in the front?where exactly is the oil filter located? Will I have to remove any of the skid plates? I have always changed my own oil so I am not a rookie, just not a mechanic. Do i get to the filter from up top?

 

One last thing, I went to buy an oil filter and the thing looks really small for a Z71,s-10 filter was bigger.

I do not know because I have not changed yet. If so has anyone used a bigger filter than was called for?

Thanks so much.

 

Rebel77

[asepgrad98]

1. i dont use a jack on my 2wd, so im sure you dont need one for a 4wd

 

2. oil filer is next to the oil pan

 

3. not sure about plates but i doubt it

 

4 buy an oil filter for an 02 not 03. the 02 filter is longer/better pf-59

[RyanbabZ71]

ive never used a jack to change my oil either

[MarkD]

I used the ramps to help angle oil toward the back of the pan (and drain plug). It also helps draining oil clear the skid plates.

[rebel77]

Thanks for the replies. I am not sure I can get under the truck with the step bars. I will try tomorrow. I think I am going to switch oil filters though.

[Black02Silverado]

1. i dont use a jack on my 2wd, so im sure you dont need one for a 4wd

 

2. oil filer is next to the oil pan

 

3. not sure about plates but i doubt it

 

4 buy an oil filter for an 02 not 03. the 02 filter is longer/better pf-59

I agree.

 

Sounds good to me.

[Lance Link]

"It also helps draining oil clear the skid plates. "

 

After the first change I cut a notch into the skid plate with my disk grinder. Now the oil flows freely- you would've thought the GM engineers might have thought that through a bit better.

[99silveradoz71]

Being 6'5, I use the stands under blue to make it easy for me to roll under. I don't have to remove any plates, but some paper towels should be used to clean the frame crossmember which will end up with oil in it due to the location. Not a bad job at all to do.

[JimG]

Changed the oil in my '03 Z71 about 1 1/2 months ago. Simple job ... skid plates don't interfere, found I didn't need a jack to get under there, even with step rails. Watch out though, the 6 qts of oil in there shoot back pretty far. Had a small oil slick in the driveway because the drain pan wasn't far enough back. Oh yeah, curious to know how much metal you find on the drain plug. There was a far amount on mine .... but seeing as this was the first oil change since I bought it, I figured it was ok.

 

Gotta remember to switch filters next time, I just bought the '03 filter when I did this.

[Tucson_02Silverado]

Ramps are much easier to use. I have a set of Rhino ramps. At first you wouldn't think plastic ramps would outperform metal ones, but the Rhino's don't slip, don't flex and are very light. If you have a Vette or and F-Body, those owners say the Rhino ramps clear perfectly.

 

A trick for the shooting oil, if the engine/frame is cool enough, duct tape a piece of foil that drapes down to the back of the collection pan.

[burgundyz71]

I too grinded a little off the skid plate because I didn't wanna have to drag the jack out. I remove the plastic cover in front to make greasing much easier.

[rebel77]

Thanks for the help. I bought the rhino ramps, and they are great. I have no problems now. I did not find much of anything on the bolt. I did get the bigger filter too.

[MarkD]

Congrats! happy to help

[5.3LSilverado01]

Anyone know how much more oil capacity there is with the bigger filter? My dad uses my truck filter on his 2000 SS Camaro and he has something like 6.5quarts of oil in there.

[bigtruck21]

the standard filter holds around .5qt and the large delco ph1218's hold 1 qt (fram 5,13) the skinny but tall filters hold somewhere in between.