I new to the forum . I have a question I have a 1996 dodge ram1500 4x4 with a 360 . The oil pan is leaking, it needs to be replace . now for your help do I have to lower the front axel to get the pan off . or is there enough room to get it out by just unbolting the pan bolts. Any help would br great . thank you

 

no, but you do have to remove the braces, starter, and flex plate dust cover.
the oil pan and flex plate cover have this stupid lip that hooks together.
you do NOT have to drop the y-pipe as suggested in this link.

it helps to have a helper for reassembly as its awkward and a close fit.
if you do have to do it by yourself, tie the gasket to the oil pan corners with some string, to hold it in place while manuvering it in.

consider where your oil pan is leaking. if its at the rear, its likely the 2 piece rear main which is easily replaceable.
http://www.pavementsucks.com/tech-article-31.html

 

thank you for the info. the reason I need to replace the pan there is a hole in the pan .

 

jb weld....

 

Better yet

 

hahaha or

 

No, that's for removing it when all else fails.

 

I want to thank you for the Info . I was able to drop the pan with little effort . I did have to remove the two brackets ,starter and the bellhouseing cover and then contort my arms to get to all the pan bolts. The only problem I had was getting the dip stick to lign up with the little race way that runs down the side of the pan that took some modifying and many test fittings but in the end it is finished and the truck up is up and runninng again Thank you for your help.