[b4black]

If you just drop the small metal pan you can swap the pump, but you will need a special swivel socket to get one of the pump bolts--without it you would have to remove the entire aluminum pan. Let me find the Dave Pike (Motor City Mechanic) video that shows just how to do it.. I'll post the link as soon as I find it.

Those are the videos I watched for the FWD V6. Do you still need that socket on the RWD?

 

[b4black]

Actually there is. I just changed the pump on Sunday. It can come through the small metal oil pan without removing the larger aluminum pan.

But it's not easy. You don't need the short snap-on universal socket, but you will need something to make some turns. I used a 1/4" flex extension and a 1/4" wobble extension. The more wrench and socket options you have, the better.

Prying the metal oil pan off is a *****. I used Permatex black silicone to seal it back up and not the FelPro gasket.

You have to remove five bolts, including one for the pickup tube bracket. And then the pick up tube has to be unbolted from the pump before getting the pump out. Make sure to get the blue o-ring for the pick up tube.

The wiring for the solenoid is very short. Makes getting everything back in place a pain. Job sucks. It's a puzzle that took six hours start to finish (this included a lot of staring at things trying to decide if it would come out or not). Small hands help.

I bit the bullet and bought the Mopar part at the dealer. Seems most online places are out of stock. I didn't want to use aftermarket and then second guess the job.

 

[b4black]

I unclipped the solenoid wiring from the pump, fed the connector to the hole in the block and then pushed the clip back onto the pump (not easy). Then stick the pickup tube in the pan, shove the pump onto the tube and screw them together. Then finagle the pump in place and work on the five bolts.

Helps to get the chain tucked off to the side.