yeah it's dumb design. i still have no idea why they did what they did.
I always just chalked it up to the engine design team didn't communicate with the chassis design team. We see that sort of thing all the time where I work. Or the fact that the Hemi was used in several different vehicles. Either way it still sucks. If it's any consolation, my F150 is only marginally better when it comes to oil changes.I mentioned how messy the oil changes were to a kid I work with saying the same thing, "why would they design it this way?" He said it was to make it impossible for idiots to impact on the plug or filter. I think he's correct because it makes absolutely no sense otherwise.