Stamped steel pan with original cork gasket. FSM moved to RTV-only seal in mid 1990s. Pan-drop on the 4.0L requires loosening engine mounts.
The 4.0L oil pan is stamped steel and seals to the block originally with a cork gasket, later (mid-90s onward) with bead RTV only. Leaks at the pan rail are common after 100k miles. Replacement is harder than it looks - the pan will not clear the crossmember and front diff without raising the engine 2-3 inches or removing the front diff. Most owners use a transmission jack under the pan and unbolt the two engine mounts at the block to lift the engine. Pan gasket: Fel-Pro OS30694R has a one-piece silicone gasket with steel carrier that does not require RTV. Alternative is to scrape clean and apply a continuous 1/4 inch bead of Permatex Right Stuff or Ultra Black RTV with extra at the front and rear arches where the timing cover and rear main retainer meet the block. Torque the 15 small pan bolts in a crisscross pattern to 96 in-lb (8 ft-lb). Overtightening warps the pan and creates new leaks.
| Part | Vendor | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| Oil pan gasket Fel-Pro | RockAuto | ~$40 |
| Permatex Right Stuff | any | ~$12 |
Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.