Simple question: Is it possible to remove the upper oil pan on 1GR-FE (Tacoma, FJ Cruiser etc) with the bottom one still attached or does the bottom one need to come off first? The Haynes manual says take the bottom off first but I don't fully trust Haynes, it often advises to do things that are not really necessary.

 

You need to remove the lower oil pan to access two 12mm bolts inside to remove the upper oil pan,