Air filter change? When?

[waylntat2]

I have a 2004 54000 miles Bought it used at 18000 miles in 06 Bought a new mc air filter still have not put it in the minder has not moved, lot of highway, little dusty roads,I have a minder on a trackhoe it, works guess the trucks will also

[HeavyAssault]

I usually follow the Owner's manual for my change interval. I have only had one instance where the filter minder actually moved a little bit. Those Donaldson filters are top notch!!
If you want to make your filter changes a tad easier just mod the snorkel and dp the ZOODAD mod. Plenty of fresh air and filter are swapped in under 2 mins. I have had this on my '06 for over 100K so it works and works GREAT.

[Minnesota]

Mostly solid advice here. The only thing I would add is that if you do the "zoodad mod", (which is simply cutting a hole in your inner grille to allow more cold air flow to AF), you also make a small block-off plate w/ thin plywood to drop in front of hole when driving in significant rain.

I have the zoodad hole and recently drove through a massive thunderstorm in SD for an hour or two @ 70+ mph. My AF got absolutely soaked, (at least the front of it), to the point where it moved my filter minder. This is with a brand new OE filter.

I'd stick w/ an OEM Ford filter, as others have said they can last forever in non-dusty conditions. They are ~$100 list but I found mine online for under $50 including shipping. Some of the knock-off filters are OK but supposedly not as good as the blue ones. Considering the role of an AF on our engines and how infrequently they need changing, it's a bad place to scrimp IMO.

[bismic]

And get the filter w/ the blue synthetic media - it is more water resistant.

[69cj]

As a side note, If you have a mod unfriendly dealer and have to take the truck in for turbo or certain engine warranty problems, you could have your 5 yr/ 100, 000 mile engine warranty voided.

[bigwhite1]

it's real easy to change if you disconect at the turbo , then everythibg pulls out nicely. i change mind at 30k intervals, i've never had the filter minder show anything but good. , but mine melts when the gasses escape from the degass bottle, so it's new every month or so.

[DenverGeitgey]

I took the whole snorkle off of my air filter and run the open element. It works real well has given me a tad more milage ( 20.4 mph on the eway ) and 15.0 with my 28 ft. fifth wheel camper.17-18 around town. Other mods include straight stacks, diablo predator, egr unplug. No leaks .... Plenty of power...... and it will smoke all six.....