I've got a 2000 Powerstroke ... here's the filter housing and a wrench I made out of 1/8" steel about 6" long. A dotco, a vice, and a little effort works out alot better than a pair of channel locs or 2 screw drivers. It just fits over the ribs in the filter lid. I made a square hole in the wrench to accomodate a 3/8" ratchet. Or ... you can just buy the wrench.
There are several guys on EBay that can give you a good deal on original equipment Motorcraft filters. Racor (IN F4595 or IN F4596) are good filters also. Wix is also a good filter, but changed their design on the sealing gasket from a lip seal to square cut seal ... doesn't work as well as the old lip seal.
Motorcraft # FD 4595 1994-1998
Motorcraft # FD 4596 1998.5-200?