Did a search but no hits, so here it goes. I want to replace the oil pump on my 2000 Dodge Ram 4X4, with the 5.2 and looking at my Haines manual to remove the oil pan, I have to disconnect the exhaust at the header, and lift the engine for the oil pan to clear the cross member thats toward the front of the pan. Crawling under and sizing up the situation, I clearly don’t have to disconnect the exhaust as there's plenty of clearence and 8-9”space between the cross member and pan. I was hoping that since I don’t have to disconnect the exhaust per the Haines manual that it’s possible I won’t have to lift the engine either for the pan to clear the cross member. Has anybody with the 5.2 engine accomplished the task and can verify that lifting the engine is necessary to remove the pan?
2000 Dodge Ram 4X4

 

no need to lift the engine, or remove exhaust. more than enough room to do so. replace the rear main seal while youre in there.

 

there is enough room on a 4x4 to do it without liftin the engine. i always seem to have to remove the trans support out of the way though, but other than that, you can shimmy it out of there.

 

.Jack up the frame and place on jackstands or blocks. Let the axle hang, it'll give you more room to work and plenty of space above the axle to get the pan off. Don't have to undo the wiring on the starter either, just remove it and tie it off to the side somewhere.

 

+1...... on jacking up by the frame. Makes it a lot easier.

 

Make sure you disconnect the negative battery terminal before removing the starter......

 

if the rear main seal is leaking, replace it too.
http://www.pavementsucks.com/tech-article-31.html

 

Thanks guys for the feedback. Unlike my old F150 where I was able to lift by jacking the engine from the bottom, not having to lift the 5.2 just made this project a whole lot easer.