Today I confirmed the fact that its not possible to pull the pan while the engine is in the truck!

Im pretty sure I have a bad broken motor. Making clunking chunking noises from the bottom end. Motor comes out next weekend for inspection and probable replacement with a low mile Taurus motor.

 

edit: this is a 2wd coil spring front end. 4WD and/or torsion bars YMMV.

 

I can confirm the oil pan can not be removed with the engine in the truck. I had a 99 ranger that had a bad oil pump pickup. I tried to get it fixed but the mechanic said to drive it till it blows up then replace the engine. He said it would cost the same as an engine swap so might as well wait and do that. In your case it sounds like you are capable and ready.

I've always wanted to do a v8 conversion but I've never wore out an engine in any of my rangers. My 99 hit 200k and seemed like it wanted to keep going to 300. It was my first vehicle i sold that was still intact and running and that felt strange to me. Lol. I sold it for high market value too because it was straight and everything worked still. That was another first for me too.