what"s the best way to remove the oilpan so i can replace the gasket? Thanks much.

 

With a bfh! You have to take off the flywheel inspection plate take the starter out unhook the shocks and lower our axle down and go to town! Might not have to lower your axle depending on the lift.

 

Did mine a few hrs ago while working on my rear main seal. All I had to do was remove all the bolts...and loosen the starter. I have 4.5" lift. After the starter was unbolted the pan literally fell right out.

 

Search for "Rear Main Seal" posts under my username - I've covered this several times, on each of several different boards.

I've done the job plenty of times - usually on stock-suspension rigs (which are the most difficult. With a 3" lift, you can do it with all four wheels on the ground. Stock? Get creative with jacks...)