I'll play

2WD makes it easy, reach right between the LCA and steering knuckle where the CV would be and you can grab the filter by hand.

I position a transmission funnel, the long tall one, vertically, just like Charlie does with his form-a-funnel, under the filter draining into a short bucket under the LCA; then just spin the filter off by hand. The plastic bag method sounds good but we don't have those as plentifully in CA anymore, plus if there's even a tiny hole in the bag it's gonna leak, guaranteed.

As others have said, a Fumoto valve makes quick work of draining the pan and minimizes the splash that accompanies removing the drain plug. Full synthetic oil and filter leads to annual oil changes which further lessens the impact of oil changes on our rigs.

I use the same kind of technique as shown by @phattyduck above with the form a funnel, except lower tech.

I just take a piece of heavy duty aluminum foil about 2 feet long and tuck it up under the filter seat, then shape it and tuck it in place so it channels the dripping oil downward and into my catch pan. I usually end up with a few drops on the diff bracket and a small amount on the skid that can be quickly wiped off.

Those clips aren't expensive if ordered from one of the online dealers. There are probably aftermarket ones for even less.

I'd like to see what you can show with pics. Seems like it'd be difficult to get a shot of the actual filter in place, but you could simulate the Hand/bag/filter positioning just for the photos.

This is the same way I do oil change. Throwaway or recycle the foil when done. I actually take off my skid plate then it's a angle shot to the oil filter. Following the angle of the drivers side bottom of the rad/bottom rad hose.

I leave the skid off and just stick my hand up there. The oil usually flows down my arm into my armpit.

Oil on the frame bothers me not so I wipe what I see and leave the rest.

So I'm by no means a skinny guy. I'm 6'0" and weigh 215 lbs. How is it that I am able to unscrew the oil filter from the top and change the filter with hardly a drip, and almost everyone else is forming funnels to catch the deluge of on-rushing oil? I think I might be doing it wrong? Are you changing the oil hot, with the filter full? Maybe I'm doing it wrong, and I'm completely open to feedback, but I change it in the AM, cold, and just take my time letting the oil drip out. Not much filter spill at all...because the filter is empty.

Let it drain...tidy up the work bench for a few minutes...take a whiz...go back to your rig and it'll be finished.

Again, completely open to a rational, well formed critique of this method but this simple way is much easier than removing wheels, shields and skids.

I always change oil when the engine is hot. Perhaps it doesn't really benefit us to do so, but I haven't done a scientific analysis to prove either way, so I go with the often bogus reason of "just because...I've always heard...). I let it set for a little while as the oil pan drains, to let it drain fully and to let the filter cool off some. To me, it seems that the oil doesn't drain much from the filter. Perhaps it would if I let it set longer.

I snug the filter back on, just a little, with a wrench. Just for extra mental assurance. If I find that I can remove the filter from the top, then I will stop snugging it (while keeping a close eye out afterward for leaks).

Drips on my chassis don't bother me at all. Drips on my basement floor bug the living chit out of me. Especially when it leads me to believe that I have a real oil leak.

I will do some experimenting during my next oil change, using some of the tips above (like situating my Form-a-funnel more vertically) - thanks for that tip. I have tried the plastic bag trick previously, and that didn't help much at all. Perhaps if I let the filter drain longer, that trick might work. I have tried stuffing a bunch of paper towels under the filter. That helped some, but not enough.

I take my 2WD T4R offroad frequently, so I am leaving my skidplate on (which is a PITA to remove). As a side note, I continue to be amazed at how well a 2WD T4R can do offroad. Haven't gotten it stuck yet, but that day is coming. Reason why I always carry a Come-a-long and 150' of rope in the back.

The conventional wisdom has always been to change oil from a warm engine, because the oil flows better and more of the dirty stuff comes out. Letting it drip cold is not a substitute. So I disagree with that.

What does help is to leave the filter alone for a good while AFTER you drain the warm oil out of the pan drain. I do that and it reduces the filter spill a lot. Just don't forget you let the oil out and drive off that way.

Why is your filter empty?

I go in thru the top with my hands to take out the oil filter. If for whatever reason its on there pretty good, I'll use an oil filter socket with an extension through the wheel well access panel.

Only way to keep the oil filter mess to a minimum is to put a rag in there.

Bingo. A good filter will still have oil in it, even the next morning...

-Charlie

Agreed...not empty, but the oil certainly won't pour out at the same rate when hot.

I like the idea that was posted about changing warm, then letting the filter sit a good long while so it drains properly. Best of both worlds. Thanks!

Change it in your friend's/enemy's driveway.
All problems, no longer yours!

Or the DMV parking lot.....