A filter element comprising: (a) a first pleated media section, second pleated media section, the first and second pleated media sections (52, 54) being arranged relative to each other to be opposing one another and with a gap or space therebetween, third pleated media section, and fourth pleated media section, the third and fourth media sections (60, 62) having a gap or volume therebetween; (b) a first support structure configured to support absent an inner liner the first and second media sections (52, 54) and being layered in the gap or space between the first and second media sections (52, 54); (c) a second support structure configured to support absent an inner liner the third and fourth media sections (60, 62) and being layered in the gap or volume between the third and fourth media sections; (d) a first end cap including fluid apertures and and being secured to a first end of the filter element, the first end being secured to an end of the first, second, third and fourth media sections (52, 54, 60, 62); (e) a second end cap being secured to a second end of the filter element, and being secured to the first, second, third and fourth media sections (52, 54, 60, 62) at an opposite end of the filter element from the first end cap; (f) the first media section having inner pleat tips or folds and outer pleat tips or folds, the second media section having inner pleat tips or folds and outer pleat tips or folds, the third media section having inner pleat tips or folds and outer pleat tips or folds, and the fourth media section having inner pleat tips or folds and outer pleat tips or folds, the inner pleat tips or folds of the second media section are in opposing relation to the inner pleat tips or folds of the first media section, the inner pleat tips or folds of the fourth media section being in opposing relation to the inner pleat tips or folds of the third media section; (g) by the term support being meant that when subject to a pressure of 50 psi the support prevents the volume between the media sections from closing or reducing by greater than 50 %; and (h) by absent an inner liner being meant absent of perforated or expended metal that lines or is in touching engagement with the inner pleat tips. (a) a first pleated media section, second pleated media section, the first and second pleated media sections (52, 54) being arranged relative to each other to be opposing one another and with a gap or space therebetween, third pleated media section, and fourth pleated media section, the third and fourth media sections (60, 62) having a gap or volume therebetween; (b) a first support structure configured to support absent an inner liner the first and second media sections (52, 54) and being layered in the gap or space between the first and second media sections (52, 54); (c) a second support structure configured to support absent an inner liner the third and fourth media sections (60, 62) and being layered in the gap or volume between the third and fourth media sections; (d) a first end cap including fluid apertures and and being secured to a first end of the filter element, the first end being secured to an end of the first, second, third and fourth media sections (52, 54, 60, 62); (e) a second end cap being secured to a second end of the filter element, and being secured to the first, second, third and fourth media sections (52, 54, 60, 62) at an opposite end of the filter element from the first end cap; (f) the first media section having inner pleat tips or folds and outer pleat tips or folds, the second media section having inner pleat tips or folds and outer pleat tips or folds, the third media section having inner pleat tips or folds and outer pleat tips or folds, and the fourth media section having inner pleat tips or folds and outer pleat tips or folds, the inner pleat tips or folds of the second media section are in opposing relation to the inner pleat tips or folds of the first media section, the inner pleat tips or folds of the fourth media section being in opposing relation to the inner pleat tips or folds of the third media section; (g) by the term support being meant that when subject to a pressure of 50 psi the support prevents the volume between the media sections from closing or reducing by greater than 50 %; and (h) by absent an inner liner being meant absent of perforated or expended metal that lines or is in touching engagement with the inner pleat tips.