Changing Oil Dakota

Yes, doing it with the front end on ramps is almost guaranteed to cause a mess. Even with the truck level, you'll probably make a mess. A funnel helps, but not a hole lot. To completely prevent a spill, remove the skid plate.

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Got a 98 Dakota with the 3.9L. The oil filter is in a very hard to get location. When I change the oil filter i have to get in a position where i get one hand on it and can get a good grip to turn it and pray that it turns. Theres no easy way to do it that i know of. When i drain the oil I do it level on the ground and it don't make a to big of a mess, but i don't know exactly how different the 3.9 is form the

98 Dakota 3.9L

Thanks Brian and Bob for the input. I am going to put the Dakota up on the ramps and see if I can remove the skid plate. I do zero off road driving and it shouldn't be a problem. I also will take a look before I remove the skid plate at the location of the drain plug and I will also consider using the Fram drain unit if I can install it without removing the skid plate. I checked and found that the drain plug is 1/2-20 and hopfully I will be able to pick up the Fram adapter unit locally if I decide to use it. I will also check out the location of the oil filter and determine the feasibility of removing it. When all is said and done I just might take the truck down to my service guy to change the oil and install a new filter like I have done in the past.