How to Drop the Oil Pan in a Toyota Tacoma

How to Drop the Oil Pan in a Toyota Tacoma. Toyota started producing the Tacoma in 1995. The most recent generation is composed of model years 2005 through 2008 with the 1GR-FE engine. The oil pan in the Tacoma is a key element in its design, holding the engine oil when not in use. Repairs to it are necessary if it has damage in any way.

Position the Tacoma on a safe, flat surface and raise it using a jack and jack stands for support. Follow the directions of the jack manufacturer for properly raising the vehicle.

Open the hood of the Tacoma and locate the battery which is at the very front of the vehicle, right behind the left front headlamp. Use a wrench to disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery, by removing the bolt holding it in place.

Roll under the vehicle and remove the engine under cover by removing the bolts holding it in place. The undercover covers the bottom of the engine block. Locate the engine oil pan in the center of the vehicle, at the base of the engine block.

Use an oil drip pan under the engine oil pan to capture the oil from the engine pan when you use a wrench to remove the oil drain plug from the pan. Allow the oil to drain fully, at least ten minutes, and then replace the plug.

Remove the lower oil pan by removing the 15 bolts and two nuts located around the edge of the oil pan. Use tool SST09032-00100 to pry off the lower oil pan if necessary, by sliding it into the groove between the oil pan and the engine.

Disconnect the oil strainer using a wrench and remove the gasket from the lower oil pan (it must be replaced with a new one at installation). Remove the flywheel housing undercover using a wrench to remove the bolts holding it in place.

Unscrew each of the 17 bolts and nuts located around the edge of the upper oil pan. Each of the bolts should be removed in a crisscross pattern where one bolt is removed then a bolt on the opposite side of the oil pan is removed. The oil pan will drop off.