Have an 09 Tribute 3.0 and noticed their are 2 different sizes oil filters available, ones about an inch longer than the other.
Anyone know the reason for this?

 

There is NO empirical Data for doing it as far as any performance or increased filtering reason.
You may find that top brand oil filters that meet and some exceed the Mazda oil filters specification for many applications DO NOT OFFER 2 different part numbers. Many like Castrol ,Mobil 1 and the big one FRAM as 3 test all factory filters and completely disassemble them before offering them in their new or current product line.

 

Welcome to the forum,