i ahve a 2002 rubicon and i changed the oil about a month ago. heres what u gotta do. take the skid plate off without breaking any of the bolts (broke both on one side, had to drill them out, huge pain.) then u will see the drain plug and the filter screw. in most all cases it is better to drain the oil before removing the filter. remove filter, add new one, refill with new oil but keep a close eye on the oil level (got side tracked and over filled but not by a whole lot.)

 

hey one thing that will help you all out in putting ht skip plate back on which seems to be what your having the most trouble with is flip it up on it's end. once you get the filter back in and fill it with oil, turn the gas off and let it run till it uses up the gas in the carb and lines, remember be sure to put oil in it. then just lock the brakes and grab the front end and pick it up and stand it right on it's end. don't hurt your back. jsut this makes it alot more accesseble and at working level.

 

use a winch lot less back work