2nd gen 2015 4wd lower oil pan bolt hard to reach

wassup everyone! hoping someone can help me figure out how to get this bolt off without dropping the front differential
it’s pretty tight in there, tried the adapters, 10mm ratcheting wrench, and I’m out of ideas… currently going to loosen one of the bolts supporting the diff and try a ratcheting breaker bar and/or a gear wrench 1/4” ratchet

 

I don't recall having any major issues when I took my pan down to reseal it.

 

do you remember if you had to do anything near the diff? or what you used? it’s super tight there and i’m out of options atm… about to buy a gear wrench slim 1/4” ratchet then if that doesn’t work gonna likely end up dropping the diff

 

I might have used a ratcheting wrench Idk it was back in 2022 after a huge tree fell across my property. I wasn't focused or taking good pics but in this one I can't see anything majorly in the way. I guess they could have changed something since,the 2006 model.

 

this pic looks like you had just enough space to reach the bolt near the diff

 

Is there enough room for a 10mm ratcheting wrench?

 

unfortunately not

 

It's possible I used a setup like this? It may be smaller than a ratchet and give a little different clearance than just the wrench.
A socket adapter from one of those multi-bit sets.

 

i see… i’m gonna loosen one of the bolts that’s holding the diff support then maybe that’ll give me enough room to squeeze a socket there

 

Would jacking up the body, leaving the tires on the ground, gain any space there?

 

It shouldn't, neither the diff or engine move with the body

 

i think i’m gonna try this…. even a half inch more space would help a socket get in there

 

I would try a 6" socket extender. Maybe mate up two extensions for standoff until you can clear the obstacles. They're cheap and a good tool to have anyway.

 

I just did this. I used a 1/4” extension/socket and a swivel adapter, however if I did it again I would use a 10mm open end wrench instead. Make sure to clean your oil pickup screen