Is there an easier way to remove the oil pan on a 99 tacoma, 4 WD, 2.7 liter, TRD than to pull the engine? Crawling around under there provided no answers for me, either did the manual. I am asking because of thread i posted earlier about the oil pump problems I'm having. Diagnosing gives a pissible oil pick up tube issue, and it would be nice to be able to get to that without yanking the engine completely out again.

I was told to drop the front cross member...that would be the easiest...but it looks completely welded under there...doesn't look like anything with bolts could just be unbolted and "drop out."