quangdog
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Kimball
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2020
- Threads
- 36
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- 735
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- 2,513
- Location
- Meridian, Idaho
- Website
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- Vehicle(s)
- 2019 Ranger Lariat FX4
- Thread starter
- #1
I've been frustrated since my first oil change with the annoying factory clips that hold on the inner fender splash guard. I've seen on this forum several other people have come up with different solutions for replacing these clips - either get new OE clips when the originals break, or get some similar after market ones... or use magnets, or small bolts with threaded inserts in the small holes, etc. More info here: https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/oil-filter-access-modification.25526/
I took inspiration from one of these posts and added some small M4 nutserts into the holes for the original clips, and then used thumb screws with washers as the fasteners. Everything is stainless steel, and this will be SO much easier for future oil changes. I took a bunch of pictures as I went, and I'll include those here as well as links to exactly what I used, in case you want to do the same. Note: these links are affiliate links on Amazon, which kicks me a few pennies if you use them.
Here are a few photos, along with links to everything I used:
Here's everything I used - all stainless steel. M4 nutserts are *exactly* the right size for the factory holes. No drilling or modification to the truck required. I grabbed the nutserts and thumb screws from Amazon. Used stainless washers I already had on hand from my local hardware store.
Nutserts: https://amzn.to/3UFxR2Q
Thumb Screws: https://amzn.to/455oWN3
I used this style of nutsert tool, and it was relatively easy to make it work in the limited space. I'm not sure if the other styles that look more like a staple gun would fit in the area and do the job. I did take the front wheel off in order to have enough room to work, but this could probably be done with the wheel on:
I've had this tool for years - and I looked but the original listing is no longer there on Amazon where I bought it. It's just like this one, though:
https://amzn.to/40Hek5T
Note that this tool does not come with an M4 mandrel - so I had or order one of those as well:
https://amzn.to/3IQ0JmE
There are other nutsert tools that *do* come with mandrels down to an M4 or even M3 - so if you don't have a nutsert tool at all yet, I recommend getting one of those instead - like this one:
https://amzn.to/3IKfIhZ
So that's all the stuff I used and where to get it if you want to do this job. All in, this entire job took me less than 20 minutes, including time to jack up the truck, remove the tire, reinstall the tire when finished, lower the truck and clean up my tools.
Here are the original factory holes:
And what the nutsert looks like once installed:
Here are all 5 installed:
And with flap re-attached and thumb screws installed with washers:
Closeups:
I highly recommend this mod. Oil changes will be SO much easier now.
I took inspiration from one of these posts and added some small M4 nutserts into the holes for the original clips, and then used thumb screws with washers as the fasteners. Everything is stainless steel, and this will be SO much easier for future oil changes. I took a bunch of pictures as I went, and I'll include those here as well as links to exactly what I used, in case you want to do the same. Note: these links are affiliate links on Amazon, which kicks me a few pennies if you use them.
Here are a few photos, along with links to everything I used:
Here's everything I used - all stainless steel. M4 nutserts are *exactly* the right size for the factory holes. No drilling or modification to the truck required. I grabbed the nutserts and thumb screws from Amazon. Used stainless washers I already had on hand from my local hardware store.
Nutserts: https://amzn.to/3UFxR2Q
Thumb Screws: https://amzn.to/455oWN3
I used this style of nutsert tool, and it was relatively easy to make it work in the limited space. I'm not sure if the other styles that look more like a staple gun would fit in the area and do the job. I did take the front wheel off in order to have enough room to work, but this could probably be done with the wheel on:
I've had this tool for years - and I looked but the original listing is no longer there on Amazon where I bought it. It's just like this one, though:
https://amzn.to/40Hek5T
Note that this tool does not come with an M4 mandrel - so I had or order one of those as well:
https://amzn.to/3IQ0JmE
There are other nutsert tools that *do* come with mandrels down to an M4 or even M3 - so if you don't have a nutsert tool at all yet, I recommend getting one of those instead - like this one:
https://amzn.to/3IKfIhZ
So that's all the stuff I used and where to get it if you want to do this job. All in, this entire job took me less than 20 minutes, including time to jack up the truck, remove the tire, reinstall the tire when finished, lower the truck and clean up my tools.
Here are the original factory holes:
And what the nutsert looks like once installed:
Here are all 5 installed:
And with flap re-attached and thumb screws installed with washers:
Closeups:
I highly recommend this mod. Oil changes will be SO much easier now.
Sponsored
, one looks like a Phillips is all you need (lies , just lies...) some of the others have a double head (like concrete form nails) that is also a lie (tool just mangles it ) and another kind that the center pin disappears and sits flush when installed (lies And trickery!) I'm on my 5th oil change and just jam whatever da fuk will wedge in there 
(golf tee , zipties and maybe some toothpics to tighten) as I have ripped and cussed the last ones to shreds... i have thought about magnets but since I don't understand or trust the black magic behind them, they frighten me somewhat... i can however grasp the mechanics behind the "inclined plain" ...
