1986 2.8L 4x4


currently removed from the vehicle:

transmission
exhaust
transfer case
flywheel
oil pan bolts


The oil pan is free from the engine, but I cant slide it out with the front differential in the way. What is the easiest way to remove the pan? With most of the drive train already removed, would it be easiest to jack the engine up just enough to slide the pan out, or should I work on dropping the front diff? I have no experience doing either, so from a newbs point of view, what is the easiest? Is there another way Im not seeing?

 

Pull the engine. Your almost there.
Pull the radiator, disconnect the electrical, rent a powersteering puller and pull the power steering pump, pull the motor mount bolts and lift the engine.

Dropping the front diff wont be enough, you still have to clear the crossbrace. remember you need the oil pan to drop about 5" below the engine to clear the crankshaft. The crankshaft is about 1" from the bottom of the oil pan, you need the lip of hte oil pan to clear the crankshaft.

 

yeah 86 is a great truck just a pain in the butt changing out the oil pan gasket one these things.

 

also forgot to mention the crossmembers are both out as well. Replacing the oil pan for 2 reasons - 1. it leaks a little, and 2. I damaged it while replacing the transmission