Feel dumb for asking, but.......
 

I'm having trouble with the hard line side of the fuel filter. It's a bit rusty, I hit it with penetrating oil and letting it sit over night; I can't figure out what size wrench to use (16mm is too small and 17mm too big) and I my big meat hook hands don't fit well between the frame and whatever that rod is, do there is only room to move a wrench about an inch at a time. Any suggestions or ideas.

16mm according to the tech article discussion. A flare nut wrench might be more helpful though, that's exactly what they're intended for.

You also might just be able to hold the wrench in place and turn the filter itself.

Dude, changing fuel filters on a stock height 4wd sucks BAD! It's the torsion bar that screws you. I've aways gone at it with a couple crescents and lots of cussing. Once you break it loose, try holding the nut with a wrench, and spinning the filter off

Thanks guys, hopefully it will stop raining long enough to go at it again today