Aww, Come on. Name me a vehicle in the last 50 years that the oil pan has > been easy
> to remove. (Automobile, front engine, rear drive) The position of the oil
> filter is governed by the casting of the motor, not the position it
> assumes in a given chassis.
> Most FWD vehicles have an oil pan that is VERY easy to remove, BTW.
I can name atleast ONE. 2000 Ford Ranger 2wd with torsion bar front suspension and a 3.0L. I should know, I own one, and have had to replace the oil pan gasket on it already. There is almost 6" of clearance between the pan and the front cross member, and the pan is only about 4-5" tall. Not to mention the front of the oil pan sits slightly behind the front of the front cross member and makes it very easy to remove.