My luck is often bad so I better ask....besides the 2 fender side
clips at the top of the air box, what else should be loosened in able
to properly replace the air filter? The top does not want to break
loose on the engine side, I could probably squeeze a new filter in,
but would like to open the box. Thanks for any help. This should be
easy I know. 2003 S 4.2 v8 60k miles

 

Take the whole box out, it's much easier and safer.

 

I really agree with Norri on this one. Several people have broken the box and other things trying to pry it apart.

I have the STR so don't have exact instructions but remove the hose clamp from the corrugated tube connecting the air box to the inlet pipe. Unplug the MAF sensor and the tube for the crankcase ventilation. Only one 10mm bolt on the STR holding the air box in. The STR has an electrical connection on the front of the air-box that the other models do not. On the STR there is a plastic screw holding the fresh air intake port down too. Not sure the regular 4.2L has this?

Be sure and blow all the dirt out that collects in the bottom of the box. It's also a good time to inspect your belts and change them if needed. When you remove the air-box it gives you a lot more room to look at the belts.
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I totally agree with the 2 above statements!!

Club hit the nail on the head as far as removal.

 

I was baffled on why they were recommending you take out your entire BOX just to remove the lid of your air filter... apparently there's a different between the V8's and V6's that, even though they share the same exact air filter lid, there's less room to maneuver the air filter lid off compared to the ease of the V6.

My advice is if your gonna' go through the goofy process of removing the entire BOX, modify your box's lid latches so that you won't have to remove your entire box just to take your lid off. Here's somebody on YouTube who tells ya how...