I removed my crossmember thinking I would be able to remove the oil pan with that gone....No Dice
The steering assembly is in the way.
I unbolted the motor mounts to just lift the engine enough to pull the pan out and before I lowered my truck off the jack stands I tried to re-install the crossmember and I was only able to put 2 bolts in all the way (one on each side). I got one bolt in partially but that's all I can do and now i can't remove it.
I've tried lowering the truck off the stands and one side at a time but no luck.
How can I get tthe crossmember back in? Help guys

 

Pictures would be a big help.

So we all know just what your talking about

The only Cross member that comes to mind is the one under the transfer case that is bolted perhaps I have not had enough Coffee yet

 

Damn, my mistake.
I'm talking about the boxed support under the oil pan. It has holes on it and has two bolts with nuts on each side.

I'm at work so I can't get a pic but I think you know what I'm talking about

 

Oh yeah, I have a 2wd

 

A long tapered bar, or tapered drift and a big hammer are what the Dr ordered.

You're gonna have to use some force. Pretty normal.

 

You use a tapered punch - the biggest (longest) one that can fit

You insert it in the hole and then "wiggle it" to get the holes linded up
And then you do ti again from the back side
and then the other 4 holes
and then start over (as the wiggling int he other holes will move around the first holes)
After several go around, the holes are all lined up

A second or third punch to leave "inserted" in the other holes shortens the number of go arounds you have to do

http://www.steritool.com/images/prod...ch_tapered.jpg

 

I just woke up, I was K.O. this morning after the gym ha ha ha
So this is normal?.....
Cool, I was worried I messed something up
Thanks guys

Here's the pic i promised for wyoming9 anyways. The bottom bar with 2.5 bolts in it

 

It's still dirty underneath with caked mud/oil from all the years the PO's left a leaking valve cover or other leaks.
I have a bag that weighs a few pounds of crap I've already scrapped off and I'm still cleaning as I go. Luckily it's only the engine and the front half of the trans.