So drained the oil from my 85 S10 2.8 4x4. Then unscrewed the oil filter & realized there is no way to get the filter out. 4x4 stuff under it, steering on top of it, engine mount on one side & exhaust on the other side. SO what am I missing how do I get this little bastard out & replace it??????

 

I always loosen the filter from underneath, then pull it out of the top with some maneuvering. You could also try through the wheel well. Removing the air cleaner breather hose is a must...

 

There is no way to even touch it from beneath on a 4x4. It is a stock 4x4 so it has to come out straight up from top. I had the truck still jacked up & was trying to get it out with one hand. Came back to after an hour & let the truck down & got in with both hands & wrangled it out. Only cost me 2 knuckles in the end. Now the driver side of the engine compartment is covered in oil & blood

 

I have an 89 2.8l 4x4 and had no problems reaching it from underneath. Better luck next time I suppose

 

This makes me happy they got smart and added a remote filter unit in later years (even if the lines leaking annoyed me at one point)