Ford F150 - Majorly-small oil filter problem on 2005 ranger

Um yea. So I bought a 2005 ranger fx4 level II.

It took me and my budy an hour to get the oil filter off. Why? Seems it was rubbing on the engine mount. No way of getting the new one back on since the clearance is not in there. Only way ford got one on is b/c from the factory they are likely on the engine before the engine is in the truck. Anyways I'm in a dilema.

Can I reposition the oil filter neck that comes out of the engine?
If so should I do it myself seeing how I fear the work of any garage mechanic and don't like to let them touch my engines? Is there any crush washers in there, can I even move the darn thing? Ahh I'm just frustrated you should be able to change your oil when you buy a truck. Mean while I'm driving their loaner 90ish f150 beater truck.

Thanx for your imput guys -Craig

Sometimes there are tricks to getting the filter on, sometimes is not a straight shot!!!

If you got the other one off, then you can put the new one on.

They could have put the wrong OIL filter on and/or you purchased the wrong one, when the 2001 Ranger came out the wrong filter was listed on ALL service manuals from ALL filter manufacturers, including FORD's own "branding" of filters.

Well the truck was already flat bed lifted to the dealer ship. I'll work things out tommorow morning. I couldn't, my budy couldn't for the life of us get a new filter on. Proper filter- fram listed.

Anyways if they can do it great, if not, warranty.

Heres a picture of the rubbed frame: http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QwAAADsU ... 2352344828

Hi guys, I have the 01 XLT 4.0L 6 cyl. If I read correct, you cannot get the filter on, NOT because you cannot screw the new one on, but because you cannot even get the new one UP into place so as to screw it on? I ask cuz 1st filter I bought did not screw on, looked it up in the filter book and seemed like right one but did NOT screw on. I COULD get it up into place just fine though. Turned out filter was for some form of Explorer w/a 4L, but if you look at the filter screw-on hole for it vs the correct one, the Explr one was a smaller hole so of course no way was going to screw on. Got the bigger/correct one and was fine. I would be surprised if Ford changed the mounting of the engine from 01 to 05 on a 4.0. Hope you get it worked out. Good luck.