On my 2001 Tacoma V6, the oil filter is cocked at a 45 degree angle above vertical, with the open end of the filter lower than the top. This resulted in oil pouring down the side of the engine as soon as the filter was loosened. I checked with the dealer, and was told they just let it run down and then clean up the mess. Of course it is hard to get to the top of the skid plate to clean that.
I found a partial solution. Take a 3 liter plastic soft drink bottle, cut the top 3 inches off, with the cap on. Then cut a semi circle out of the side the same diameter as the filter. Put the semi circle under the filter, and slowly loosen the filter. It helps if you have someone to turn the filter as it is hard to get both hands on it. The oil will run into the bottle for the most part. Takes some experimentation to get the cut out right, but once done it saves a lot of mess and clean up time.

You can also remove the skid plates. Makes it possible to check the bottom of the engine and front differential/driveshaft also.

Here is an answer to the drainage issue on the Tacoma. I read once that you take a garbage bag and grab it from the bottom of the bag, when the filter loosens the oil will drop into the bag...whala..no mess.

On my 2001 Tacoma V6, the oil filter is cocked at a 45 degree angle above vertical, with the open end of the filter lower than the top. This resulted in oil pouring down the side of the engine as soon as the filter was loosened. I checked with the dealer, and was told they just let it run down and then clean up the mess. Of course it is hard to get to the top of the skid plate to clean that.
I found a partial solution. Take a 3 liter plastic soft drink bottle, cut the top 3 inches off, with the cap on. Then cut a semi circle out of the side the same diameter as the filter. Put the semi circle under the filter, and slowly loosen the filter. It helps if you have someone to turn the filter as it is hard to get both hands on it. The oil will run into the bottle for the most part. Takes some experimentation to get the cut out right, but once done it saves a lot of mess and clean up time.

not a bad idea :)

Another way of doing it is to put a plastic grocery bag around the filter when you spin it off. It won't stop all of the oil from running into your armpit, but it will stop most of it.

An alternative is to install a remote oil filter, as some have recommended (and some have scorned.) Since the most common advice was to wait until my warranty was up, I haven't installed it yet (too damn cold out right now).

I purchased the double filter mount but probably can get by with a single filter from Jegs.

There is one issue with the relocated filter, trying to find a place to mount it. The recommendations from here are to make sure that the rubber line has the fewest number of bends in it to reduce flow restriction. Another issue is that the manufacturer reccommends replacing the hose every six months or so... Sounds like a PITA in the winter time without a heated garage :(

--->Rob

I was never impressed with my 96 2.7 liter also when it came to changing oil, when you remove the filter it will spill all over the transaxle and skid plate. I also have figured out a better way plastic bags, the problem is most oil change centers will not do this.

You can also remove the skid plates. Makes it possible to check the bottom of the engine and front differential/driveshaft also.

I just took in my '04 Prerunner V6 in for an oil change yesterday (not at the dealership) and they charged me $10 extra to remove the skid plate justifying it as extra labor. I told them "what is that like 4 bolts?" and they said, "no actually it is 10 bolts." $1/bolt still seems a bit steep to me so maybe I'll try doing it myself next time. I had never been charged that before, but the guy said a lot of trucks/SUVs need the skid plate removed first. Next thing you know, they'll be charging extra to unscrew the oil cap. Did I get ripped off?