I just used the filter that came in Cajuns kit. It's smaller than the one in your picture and fits very well. I wrote down the part number so every 30K or so I'll pop off the rear tail lamp and put a fresh one on there.
Sidebar on the maintenance:
-I bought the truck brand new, it had 10 miles on it when I took delivery.
-In the owners manual, in the very back on the very last page (the page is not numbered, go figure) is a specific "break-in" schedule. I followed that to a T. (See what I did there:big_grin
-I had the "Big 3" (Things I learned from this forum) done to the truck with the Master Tech using CONSULT before I even drove it off the lot. They are: 2 degree timing advance, AC charged to actual full (it's very common these trucks come from the factory with only 80% AC charge) and idle set to 600 rpms. You wouldn't think this stuff would make a difference, but it does.
-I also had the factory Camber bolts installed and a proper alignment done. Nissan stopped putting them in at the factory sometime in late 2006 or so.
-These trucks have a pretty unique ECU, in that it's very adaptable. Even more so in the FFV trucks. Again, information I learned from on here and the Master Tech. With that, I had him use CONSULT and wipe clean any fuel trim tables stored in the truck, so that while driving it, it would "learn" how I drive and set fuel/ignition accordingly as it "learns". I also used premium gas (91 here in Michigan in most places) since day one so the chance of the ECU pulling timing as it learns would be reduced, if any at all. Over time this also makes a difference.
-First Oil change was at 186 miles. Used factory fill and factory oil filter. Oil was dark, but not black. You could smell fuel in it too, since the truck is still setting up proper fuel trim, it was still running probably a bit rich. Small amount of "grit" or particulate in oil also.
-Second oil change using factory fill and factory oil filter at 680 miles. Oil less dark than first oil change, hardly any fuel smell and no discernible particulate seen or felt in the oil.
-Third oil change at 1200 miles on the nose. Break-in was officially over. Oil was fairly clean, slightly dark amber color. No fuel smell. No particulates felt or seen, but at this point you'd need oil analysis to know exactly. Switched to my favorite oil-Mobil One full synthetic (5w30) and Mobil One oil filter M1-110.
-1200 miles. Front Diff. fluid change and housing cleaned out. Oil looked/felt/smelled good. Changed to Mobil One full synthetic 75w90.
-1200 miles. Rear Diff. fluid changed. Now this surprised both the Master Tech and myself, as the oil was very dark, some particulate was felt when rubbing the oil in your hands and smelled somewhat "hot". I've never had any of the rear diff. noise or issues, so our only guess is the ring and pinion were set really "tight" from the factory assembly (whomever built my rear axle, DANA or Nissan). Cleaned out the diff. housing, gears looked good, and no noticeable lopsided wear between drive and coast could be seen. It was just surprising that at only 1200 miles (following break-in mind you) it was this dirty. Switched to Mobil One 75w140 full synthetic.
-1200 miles. Transfer Case fluid changed. Looked and smelled fine, but I did it anyways as I used 4wd a few times. Filled with genuine Nissan Matic D ATF.
-Checked the Transmission Fluid. It still smelled "sweet" and was a very nice reddish/pink color. I left that alone.
-Fourth oil change at 2700 miles. Used Mobil One oil and filter.
-Every oil change the factory Air Filter was replaced as well, so this makes number four on the air filter.
-Fifth oil change at 3233 miles. Used Mobil One oil and filter. At this point a trend was developing that the oil being drained increasingly was looking and smelling new, so I started to extend out the frequency from here.
-INJEN intake installed by me at this point, so I'll being changing the AMZOIL filter that comes with it every 10-15K or so.
-Sixth oil change at 5436 miles. I also had the both diffs and the transfer case done again. Mobil One oil and filter in the engine, Mobil One in the Diffs, Nissan Matic D ATF in the Transfer case. All old oils from the diffs looked great, as the transfer case. Transmission, Power Steering and Brake fluid looked/smelled great as well. Engine oil looked really good too. At this point, I'm satisfied that everything is well broken and operating correctly. So the next fluid change I will extend out to changing at 8k or 10k miles, depending on how the dip stick "reads".
-I also follow Nissan's "Severe Operating Conditions" maintenance schedule.
Now, do you "need" to do all this? Absolutely not. I just do it for my own piece of mind. Besides, everybody's got to have a hobby right?, Mine seems to be excessively changing fluids on my T....... I also like to talk to the pretty cashier and check out the NISMO 370Z still sitting in the showroom. I swear that car keeps trying to seduce me to take it home (It's also got the manual transmission!) everytime I'm in there. Anyways............
