I have a 96 cummins. The oil pan appears to be wet with oil and very rusty in spots.

It appears that the engine has to be lifted at least 6" in order to slip the old one off and a new one in. (major project) any ideas?

What is in the way is a crossmember of the chassis that is not removable. Anyone ever cut this crossmember to change the pan then, weld it back?

Thank you

 

You can raise the engine enough to replace the oil pan. I did it on a '98.5 and it's not that bad of a job.

Kim

 

The more I study the situation the more i'm leaning toward getting out the sawzall... I just have to remove one brake line.

 

never, and I mean NEVER cut a crossmember in a situation like that! I don;t care how good a welder you are if it's not replaced just right the truck will never handle properly again.