I know to change the timing chain, you have to drop the oil pan. Is it any different on a 4wd than a 2wd with the differential under there? What additional stuff needs to be moved or uninstalled to get in there?

EDIT: I have read the front diff needs to come out, but also you can just unbolt it and lower down. https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...d.php?t=474469 Can someone confirm either?

Thanks

 

anyone?

 

You will need to take the front differential down. I take the centerlink loose from both the idler arm and pitman arm. Move the center link foward so the differential will clear it. Otherwise the pan will come off with no problem after that is removed. You can leave the bottom bolt in the differential and just let it swing down and not totally remove it from the truck. This way you don't have to lift it back in there with brute strength. You would just be able to swing it back up.

 

This iis NOT true. I have changed mine several times in my truck and i just unbolted the oil pan and used a 10mm ratchet wrench. If your gonna pull the front diff, you might as well pull the motor cause i can have that out in two hours.

 

Are you sure you have to drop the pan? I don't remember having to do this but its been a while. It seems like I unbolted the pump and rotated it while pushing down on the pickup tube.

 

Yes, you have to drop the pan in order to get pickup tube off. The pump will not slide off the crank far enough to just swing it around.

 

This is good to hear. I assume this process would be much easier with a car lift, true?

 

It would be if you wanted to pull the entire front clip off. You will be doing most of the work up front and no need for a lift since front diff will be in the way.

 

Dropping the pan down sucks because a couple of the bolts are in really hard to get positions. I think you'd be better off pulling the motor so you can do everything on an engine stand and swap in a good converter while you're at. I'd help you do the cam swap but you're on your own with dropping the pan, my knuckles are missing enough meat from being beat on the front diff.

 

Pulling the front diff is much easier then pulling the motor. I guess I'm using a hoist too. Still think it would be easier on the ground also. If you just want to drop the pan down you can leave in there. If you are wanting to replace the gasket I would swing it down.