B3000 DS / Ranger EDGE 3.0 - oil pan removal?

[deanosaurus]

Good morning.

I've got a timing cover leak and a slipped oil pan gasket on my 2001 B3000 DS (AKA Ranger Edge 3.0) and figure I might as well do both at once (plus timing set since I'll be in there anyway at ~235k mi).

I have heard from one source that with the DS/Edge trucks (torsion bar front suspension, RWD), the oil pan can be dropped without having to lift the motor or drop the trans, and just requires a little bit of fussing to clear the bell housing extension. Looking at it from on my back in the gravel, that does seem to be the case - can anyone confirm before I make an enormous mistake?

Thanks!

 

[franklin2]

I looked up both the Mazda and the Ranger. If it's 4x4 you have to remove the engine. If it's 2wd you do not, but they say you should lift the engine up 2 inches.