I have 2005 5.4 3v, doing the timing and noticed broken timing chain guides. Fordtechmukalco in his video made dropping the oil pan easy. I have no hoist just a floor jack as I am doing this in my garage. I looked quick under there to see and it looks pretty tight where the front axle is to drop it. Has anybody done it on the ground and if so got any tips?

 

Depends if it is 4wd or 2wd . mine 2wd not bad to do . of course you need to remove that cross bar, anti seized those bolts for future removal . . I use a stucco pan to catch oil after loosening all bolts .. My impact helped get that cross bar out . I like to do a engine flush first ,lets me see more when open . Its been awhile , but my oil pu screen was full of fibers from ground up guides . So you must remove it ,also ,make sure you put o ring back properly or it will suck air not oil. Oil pan gasket is re useable but clean surface and put fresh rtv on joints just before assembly be gentle with surface use plastic putty knife or wood paint stick . You can see the metal joints and feel them with your finger nails . Same on timing cover when doing that .
I believe I jacked it and used jack stands to make it high enough to work under there on concrete with some cardboard on floor .
I have lots of wobble 1/4 extensions - flex head stuff so that helps a lot on this 5.4 . i did loosen in sequence and install in sequence and was careful to not cross thread anything by starting with fingers .
Others on here with 4x4 will tell you how to deal with that ,its somewhat more difficult .

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Yes mine is 4wd. Thanks for the tips!

 

Unbolt the front diff (3 bolts) and let it drop. Loosen the steering gear and let it drop. Remove the cross bar. That will give you enough room the get he pan out