Is there any way or has anyone dropped the oil pan and change out the crank bearings with out having to pull the engine on my 86 4rn 22re auto.

 

If your crank bearings are gone then your rods are not far behind. I would pull it and rebuild. This can be done for 3-500 bucks. Engbldr.com for parts.

 

you can do it in house, look at the fsm, they show how to do it, you can make a tool to spin the bearing around the journal and out using a paper clip or similar object

as for the rods id get some plasti gauge and check all the journals for clearance and MAKE SURE THE CRANK ISNT SCARED UP!!!

 

On my 90 4Runner I was able to pull the pan by unbolting the engine mounts and lifting the engine a few inches. I had to rotate the crank while pulling the pan so the weights ( not sure what to call them ) clear the sump.

But I didn`t do it to change the bearings, had to clean the pan from a broken timing chaing.

 

I would plastigauge every single bearing. My suspicion is that this truck has spun a rod bearing prompting this repair. Is this correct? If so, then chances are that the crank has at least some damage.

I got mine with a spun rod bearing. When I pulled it apart, the bearing wasn't just worn or spun, it was completely gone and the crank and rod were junk! I got a used crank out of a donor motor and rebuilt it with the $350 rebuild kit and head bolt kit for about $12 from engnbldrs. Add another $100 for misc. nuts and bolts, tune up parts, etc. and you're there. A complete lower end rebuild for less than $500.