Amsoil filter interchange & more

[motoretro]

I've a 2004 2WD A/C cab Tundra w/ 4.7 V8 Auto and used the Amsoil's factory site to select a oil filter. They specified a SDF 57. When i called my nearest dealer, he seemed concerned about this because of the filter's physical size.

I know some of the guys have mentioned using the SDF 15 on earlier Tundras which are bigger in size, but can you use the SDF 15 on later Tundras? What is the capacity difference between the filters?

I'm looking at the Formula 3000 5w-30 Amsoil product also...Over kill or what? since this is the oil pretty much used only by diesel owners. I'm really hoping to provide the best protection possible due to the Diesel knocking noise on start up...

Any concerns in changing the oil myself? I have 4k on it and have never even crawled underneath it so far.
Thanks in advance,
Motoretro

[Invid]

The SDF-57 will work with your model Tundra and is the exact same size fit wise. The SDF-15 has the same O-ring and threading as the smaller filter and that will fit your engine also. I have a pic of the two in my photos if you want to look at them. On a side not I got my buddy to switch to the larger SDF-15 filter too so now he runs that on his 2004 DC V8.

[THarms]

I am currently running the SDF-15 w/ the Series 3000 5W-30 on my Sequoia. I don't know the specifics but would estimate that the filtration capacity of the SDF-15 is roughly 3X as much as the SDF-57. I just wish there was enough space on my T-100 to use an SDF-15 on it as well. Have even tossed around the idea of mounting it remotely, but so far sticking with the SDF-57 on both it and my wife's Solara.

I have been running the oil up to 20k miles or 1 year (typically ends up being about 16-18k/year) with a filter change somewhere between 8-9K miles. Have been getting excellent oil analysis numbers so plan to continue with this system.

[motoretro]

Thanks for all the information. The problem is I'm concerned that Amsoil will not waranty a filter which is not specified for my vehicle....I have the truck in the garage at this moment with the garage heater going full blast. I want to crawl underneath it to make absolutley sure there is room for the bigger filter on the 04's....Perhaps a call to Amsoil will answer my questions about the above concerns.
Thanks again,
Motoretro

[czechm8]

Originally Posted by motoretro

Thanks for all the information. The problem is I'm concerned that Amsoil will not waranty a filter which is not specified for my vehicle....I have the truck in the garage at this moment with the garage heater going full blast. I want to crawl underneath it to make absolutley sure there is room for the bigger filter on the 04's....Perhaps a call to Amsoil will answer my questions about the above concerns.
Thanks again,
Motoretro

I use the SDF15 and the amsoil series 2000 0W-30 in my '05 Sequoia.
Rest assured, there are several TS users running the SDF15 on their 4.7L Toyota motors. They will fit just fine and provide you with increased oil capacity.

[Invid]

Actually that is a legitamate concern. The SDF-15 is an exact fit, o-ring and threading, to the smaller SDF-57 it just has a larger capacity. Like you said though I would contact AMSOIL and see if it is plausible to have them warranty a filter larger than the one specified in their listing.

[KLS]

Clarcor (Baldwin & Hastings) makes the filters for Amsoil and develops the cross reference chart. They do this by reverse engineering the OEM filter. The filter they will spec will match the OEM filter in as many ways as possible. They do not go under each make & model car so they don't know the clearances...they just match OEM.

I think Amsoil filters are good but nothing special.

The Series 2000 & Series 3000 oils are high priced and usually overkill. You might try the standard 5W-30 or 10W-30 and see what the analyses look like.

Have you read the full Amsoil warranty? It has more holes than my socks. You need to protect your factory warranty, and you do that by either changing the oil and filter as recommended or by being able to show a good oil analysis at those periods. If you bought a so-called extended warranty you may be required to change the oil at certain intervals to keep that contract in force. Read the fine print.
http://www.amsoil.com/warranty.aspx


Ken

[Gadget@URD]

I think the Series 2000 0w30 would be a better choice for your truck. That is what I have used for years and it is a fantastic oil.

If it helps, the SDF-34 oil filter is exactly like the SDF-57, but one inch longer and it is the filter of choice on the 3.4 and 4.0 engines over the SDF-57.

Gadget

[motoretro]

I called Amsoil's tech line today and talked to a "Ron". When i explained my concerns, he very quickly said to not use anything but what was listed by Amsoil....Although after explaining to him about the guys who use the SDF 15 instead of the SDF 57 on TS and their good luck, he turned directions and said sure if it physically fits, then use it since the antiflow back valve, o-ring diameter and thread were the same as the SDF 57......I asked him if Amsoil would warranty the filter even if it was not specified and he said yes....
This may be a bit ano although i can clearly see a big loop hole here for a Toyota dealer if there was a lubrication problem in the future and the unspecified filter was in place, much less their own brand.....!
How does the Toyota HP series filters stack up against the Amsoil???
Motoretro

[Invid]

www.bobistheoilguy.com has all sorts of oil filter comparisons but to be honest they all do a good job. I prefer to use the AMSOIL SDF-15 because of the increased capacity and the fact that I have ordered three years worth so changing brands won't happen anytime soon I know there are other brands with the increased capacity too so I guess a little research will help you in your decision.

[Gadget@URD]

Using a larger fitler then stock is not always a good idea. It depends on how the filter is mounted. For example if the filter is upside down or mounted high on the engine where even with the anti-drainback valve the filter could empty if it sits for a period of time, then a larger filter then stock would not be a good idea.

The reason for this is that the pump must fill the filter before on drop of oil gets to the bearings and you will be starving the engine of oil on a cold start where most of the wear occures.

I remember seeing a remote mount stock on the early Tundra V8s. If they are still doing that and the filter its self is lower then where the hoses mount to the engine, the this problem would not apply. In that case there is no way the oil could drain from the filter back to the pan while the engine sits for long periods.

Have you ever seen folks that install a remote filter mount on an engine, and mount it up real high in the engine compartment like they are showing it off?? Well they just do not realize how they are doing great harm to their engine. On shut down all the oil in those filters and hoses will drain back to the pan as the engine sits for a period of time. Then on restart the pump has to refil all those hoses and filters before the engine gets one drop of oil on restart. Not a good thing at all.

So, keep this in mind when deciding on using a larger then stock filter. Usually it is a benifit, but in some cases it can be a bad thing.

So, are they still doing that remote mount on the Tundra V8s and is it still lower then where the hoses mount to the engine?

Gadget

[motoretro]

Gadget,
Can only speak for my very late build 04 but the filter is mounted on driver's side, front of engine, down low, just above the skid plate/pan...
Motoretro

[KLS]

We haven't heard much about folks installing a remote oil filter mount lately. Removing the skid pan is easy enough.


Ken