do i have to drop the cross member to replace the oil pan gasket?

 

No.

If you need to gain clearance for it to drop just unbolt the engine mounts and jack up the engine at the transmission area.

You should not need to do the above though, the pan should come right out.

 

thx, i been puttin it off but its getting cold and with the windows rolled up it smells like boiling oil

 

if you have an engine hoist you can use that as well. Doc is pretty creative..never would have thought to try what he suggested..

 

You have two options:

1. do it like Doc says

2. remove the center steering link to gain clearance

Either way works. If you have the correct puller/fork for the center link, I find that method to be a bit easier than the jacking method. I've done it both ways, and it is about the same amount of time/effort either way.

 

That's what I did on my 88. Just jacked it up via the transmission. I sat a jack stand under the exhaust manifold just in case it wanted to give way so my fingers wouldn't get crushed.

 

Wouldn't it be easier to just unbolt one side of the idler arm? That's how I did it and the steering arm dropped right down and I had plenty of room to remove the oil pan.

 

Spot on. There's no need pull the center link.