94 4runner, 4WD, ADD, 22RE. is it possible to remove the oil pan with the motor in the truck, without dropping the IFS? i would like to do the rod bearings with the motor in the truck, if it's not feasible, i'll just wait for this motor to eat itself and find another to rebuild and just swap it out. anyone done this?

 

No. Either remove the engine or drop the diff. Not that hard. Looks harder than it actually it is. Life sucks huh?

 

I replaced my oilpan gasket in the truck by removing the motor mounts and jacking up the engine/tranny. Don't know if that would give you room for bottom end work though. Its a possibility!

 

i remember someone saying they didnt have to drop the diff, but when i changed my oil pan gasket and timing chain, i dropped it

 

For timing chain and gasket, the diff doesn't need to move. Trust me, I didn't move mine and all is well 20k later. Just unbolt the motor mounts, and maybe there is a crossmember mount for the tranny as well. Then jack it up. I didn't want or have to mess with the diff.

 

Droping the diff takes around 3 bolts for the diff its self, and 4 for the driveshaft..
its pretty easy

 

But its ***k*** heavy. It took my dad (225lbs), myself (180lbs) and a floor jack to put in position and it wasn't easy. The only place to hold it with the jack (the diff itself) isn't the centre of gravity.

With a bracket lift you don't have to drop the diff.

Where do you place the jack when you unbolt the motor mounts and lift the engine? Do you use a engine hoist? You can't exactly jack the engine up from below if you're removing the oil pan.

 

yeah true matt, it was pretty much a pita to get out and back into place, but the extra room i had was pretty good.

 

Having the truck on a hoist would make a huge difference. You could get a better grip on the diff, and have room for two people lifting and one bolting it in place.

 

yeah, i just used both of my floor jacks and a crowbar to get it in place