Lube Filter 396-4596 for Caterpillar Equipment & Cummins 5.9L/6.7L Diesel Engines
396-4596 lube filter for Caterpillar equipment and Cummins 5.9L/6.7L diesel engines. OEM cross-reference verified. Orders from IXIN Filter.
Description
This 396-4596 lube filter is a full-flow steel spin-on engine oil filter engineered as a direct replacement for the Caterpillar 396-4596. It’s a genuine Cat-branded full-flow lubrication filter used across Caterpillar equipment, and it’s also widely adopted as a direct-fit upgrade oil filter for Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L diesel engines in Dodge/Ram trucks, thanks to its larger filtration surface area compared to the factory filter.
Product Overview
The 396-4596 lube filter is designed specifically for full-flow filtration of lubricating oil, meaning all of the oil pumped through the engine passes through the filter before reaching lubricated components, rather than filtering only a portion of the flow the way a bypass filter does. It’s built with a steel housing and a larger center tube opening to support smooth, unrestricted oil flow. Its pleated filter media offers a larger usable filtration surface area than many standard-fit oil filters in the same application, which translates to higher dirt-holding capacity and consistent filtration performance across the service interval. Each unit is dimensionally verified against OEM measurements and tested for filtration performance before shipment — not just matched by part number.
Fits the Following Applications
| Category | Applications |
|---|---|
| Caterpillar Equipment | Consult your specific machine’s parts documentation or serial number to confirm fitment, as this lube filter is used across multiple Caterpillar engine and equipment platforms |
| Cummins Diesel (Direct-Fit Upgrade) | 5.9L and 6.7L Cummins engines, commonly used in Dodge/Ram trucks (1989-2024 model range coverage reported by multiple retailers) |
This filter shares thread and housing specifications compatible with common Cummins 5.9L/6.7L applications, allowing direct-fit installation without an adapter — unlike some other Caterpillar filters used in cross-brand upgrade applications. Always confirm your specific engine and equipment configuration before ordering, especially for bulk purchases.
OEM Cross-Reference Numbers
| Brand | Number |
|---|---|
| Caterpillar | 396-4596, 3964596 |
Note: this Cat-branded filter is manufactured on a platform consistent with certain Baldwin full-flow lube filter specifications, based on publicly discussed cross-reference information. If your team can confirm a specific Baldwin part number, we recommend adding it here for buyers cross-shopping aftermarket brands.
Key Features
- Full-flow lubrication filtration, designed to filter 100% of oil flow through the engine’s lubrication system
- Larger center tube opening, supporting smooth, unrestricted oil flow
- Increased filtration surface area compared to many standard-fit filters in the same application, supporting higher dirt-holding capacity
- Steel housing construction, built for durability under sustained engine operating conditions
- Compact, space-saving design, straightforward to install or retrofit into existing installations
- Dimensionally verified against OEM specifications, not just cross-reference number matching
- Consistent batch quality control, with raw material and pre-shipment testing on every production run
Specifications (Publicly Referenced Dimensions)
Dimensions below are confirmed by official Cat Parts Store data and were consistent across multiple independent retailer sources.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 181 mm (7.13 in) |
| Outer Diameter | 93.7 mm (3.69 in) |
| Thread | 1-16 UNS-2B |
| Material | Steel |
| Filter Type | Full-flow spin-on lube (engine oil) filter |
| Filter Media | Pleated, high dirt-holding capacity |
| Application | Caterpillar equipment; direct-fit upgrade for Cummins 5.9L/6.7L diesel engines |
| Packaging Options | Standard retail box, bulk carton, or private-label packaging available |
Why Source This Lube Filter from IXIN Filter
We manufacture this 396-4596 lube filter in our own production facility, with quality control checkpoints from raw material inspection through final pre-shipment testing. If you’re sourcing for a distribution business, diesel parts retailer, or fleet, we can provide:
- Sample units for independent testing before a bulk order
- Documentation on OEM cross-reference verification
- Flexible MOQ and private-label packaging options
- Consistent batch-to-batch quality for repeat orders
Frequently Asked Questions
What equipment uses the 396-4596 lube filter? It’s used across various Caterpillar equipment platforms as a full-flow engine oil filter, and it’s also a popular direct-fit upgrade oil filter for Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L diesel engines in Dodge/Ram trucks.
Does this filter need an adapter to fit a Cummins engine? No. Unlike some other Caterpillar filters used in cross-brand applications, the 396-4596 is commonly installed as a direct-fit replacement on compatible Cummins 5.9L/6.7L engines, without requiring a separate adapter kit. Always confirm your specific engine’s filter housing before ordering.
Is this filter better than the factory oil filter on a Cummins engine? Buyers commonly report that the 396-4596 offers a larger filtration surface area than the factory-fit filter on certain Cummins applications, which can translate to higher dirt-holding capacity. We recommend confirming specific performance claims against your own testing or documentation before making comparative claims to your customers.
Do you offer samples before a bulk order? Yes. We recommend requesting a sample for independent testing before committing to a bulk order, especially for first-time buyers.
Ready to order or request a sample? Contact IXIN Filter for pricing, MOQ, and lead time on the 396-4596 lube filter.
