Oil Pan question

[floridahonky]

Newb here to the forums. Name is Luke.

I am sort of stuck and need some assistance.
My brother owns a 99 Explorer 2WD w/ the 4.0L SOHC. It started knocking the other day and It sounds to me like a typical rod bearing. I looked under the truck and noticed it might be possible to remove the oil pan with out pulling the motor. Well, after pulling the lower pan cover, I realized the crank is not visible due to the actual oil pan that mounts to the block it self. I have removed all bolts visible retaining the "upper" pan to the block. I took a flat head screw driver and very gently tried prying the pan from the block. The pan has loosened a little but is still attached securely.

Is what I am trying even possible? or Is there another fastener somewhere I'm not looking. Any suggestions?

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[Space Truckin']

The following must be removed before you will be able to remove the ladder frame (upper oil pan):

Seven bolts and one nut on the left side of the ladder frame
Eight bolts and one nut on the right side
Five bolts at the front
Two Torx screws at the back of the ladder frame
Eight bolts through the bottom
The bottom two bolts through the transmission
Two Torx screws holding the oil pick-up

The radiator, fan, and water pump will need to be removed too so the ladder frame can come out the front. Then you can unbolt the four bolts that hold the motor mounts to the vehicle’s frame and raise the motor several inches to get the necessary clearance to remove the ladder frame. However, this is not the recommended procedure because it does not allow proper reinstallation of the ladder frame.

When reinstalling the ladder frame a straight edge is used to position it properly in relation to the block. This prevents damage caused by interference between the flex plate/flywheel and the ladder frame. You cannot do this with the transmission still in place. For this reason, the proper way to remove and reinstall the ladder frame is to pull the engine first.

 

[bluestream1]

Just out of curiosity, what were you able to see with the lower oil pan removed? Is the oil pick up visable? Any signs of plastic, or metal springs in the pan?