Any tips? I'm hoping I don't have to mess with any internal gearing, etc. Pics would be helpful. I just need to get it enough out of the way to remove the oil pan... thanks.

 

Remove the engine, its easier, seriously. Ive done it both ways and even had the truck on the lift to remove the front diff and Id much rather pull the engine. Being up under the truck in the awkard position to get the diff and everything out and getting the pick up tube unbolted to clear the pan is a pain in the ***. Pulling the engine is much easier work, especially when you go to put everything back together.

 

Pulling the engine, seriously????? Isn't there about 25 different things to unhook? I wanted to take a peek inside the oil pan to see why I lost 50% of my oil pressure right after replacing the oil cooler lines... but I might have to pull all the front end stuff (water pump etc) to get at the oil pump as well, and it's beginning to look like headgaskets are in my future as well, so maybe I should just buy a crane and stand.

What all would I have to unhook to pull the engine... off the top of my head I think, tranny bellhousing bolts, motor mounts, throttle body, exhaust manifolds, heater core hoses, hopefully not too much wiring... I've only pulled an engine once before and it was on a much older vehicle.

Also, where would I bolt to, to hoist it?

 

Take the 3 motor mount bolts out on both sides, take the intake off, put some bolts in to hook a cherry picker to, and pick up enough to get it out. I did it when I put on my turbo, because the back of the oil pan was leaking. It only took me about an hour.