getting the oil pan off
 

I just picked up my first Toyota, a 1988 4runner with a 22re and a 5 speed. It’s a pretty sweet little rig especially for the price I paid for it (free!). It’s got a couple of issues, but the main one that bothers me is a rod knock (which is very odd since it only has 85,000 miles on it).

The question I have is can you pull the oil pan with the engine in the car. I have done this on many other cars, and the thing that usually makes it difficult is the oil pump/pickup, and since I am not familiar with these engines I am not sure if there is enough clearance or if you just have to like loosen up the motor mounts and lift the engine a touch.

I really just want to pull the oil pan to check everything out, because it is so odd that a 22re would have a rod knock at anything below a million miles.

Thanks

Yes it can be done.

Some say you can do it by unbolting motor mounts and jacking up the motor as far as possilbe. Then unbolting oil pickup, then sliding pan out.

I'm currently having a shop do mine and they are dropping the differential and such to get access.

I have never done it myself, but to answer your question, then yes it can be done.

If you have a susp lift you shouldnt need to drop or raise anything, right?

Just undo the 3 bolts that hold the front diff in (4WD right?) and the passenger side of the steering stabilizer. that will give you enough room to get the pan out without undoing the oil pickup. Mark and take off the front driveshaft where it bolts to the 3rd and then you can move it around and fit the pan out.

thanks guys, and yeah it is 4wd

i hate working on the front ends of IFS trucks, but it can be done. easiest to get the oil pan out if i you drop the front diff AND jack up the engine. 3 bolts for the diff, 4 for the motor mounts. it can be done without lifting the motor but it takes some tricky maneuvering.