Evening: I have to replace the oilpan on the 97 ranger, 3.0 engine, auto, 4wd,
any one willing to give a short cheat sheet of what i am going to "have" to do to get the thing off and replaced.
The engine up and out or it will go high enough if ??? is done first, tranny attached or un-bolt? raise it off the motor mounts and drop the cross member?
nothing is ever simple but we must of learned a few tricks by now:)
regards

 

pretty sure the motor needs to be pulled 50-100% of the way out.

 

I have the procedure for the 99 3.0 4x4 IDK how much different they are but it may be worth taking a look at.

 

it sure looks that way, tks for the reply.

 

As mentioned the motor gets pulled by looks of things, does it mention in your paperwork anything more exact on how high? or right out. i am hoping there is a certain height reachable if the tranny is left off or drop the tranny mount and it swings up enough?
if you have time to post the highlights at least it would be good to have.
tks

 

take the bolts out of the tranny mount/s, stick a floor jack under the tranny, hook the motor up to a cherry picker. and as you slowly pull the motor out, lift the floor jack under the tranny so it raises with the motor.

 

If that works for you let me know if you need anything else.

 

for 98+ you do not have to remove the trans, nor jack up the motor. you just remove the front axle.

for <97 you will either have to remove the trans and raise the motor up about 6" or remove the motor completely

 

true, I guess I didnt consider I have a 2wd lol

 

Evening folks: Well surgery is over and the beast euns without leaks, exhaust gasket yet of course from the effort to be replaced, but all is good.
The bad woird is that a check with the dealer at his secret files:) told us on the very first line: After having removed the engine from the vechicle, ref subsection......removing engine etc etc. the oil pan is accessable for service as required.
So a 9am start, resulted in a 5pm drive away, can't complain about the time all being considered, so tks to all who replied, and those who read the post and had a good laugh and were glad it wasn't them, doing it:)
hope to likewise help someone else someday.
phil