Truck Repair: oil pan gasket, pan gasket, oil pump

Question
Van, I have a 87 Dakota, 3.9 that needs the oil pan gasket replaced. Would you recomend changing the oil pump out also? Is there any speacil tools required and approx. how much time should this take?  Thanks for your help.

Ron  

Answer
Hi Ron,
The oil pump question would depend on how many miles on the engine, how it was cared for, and what shape everything else is in. There will never be a better time, though.
I don't know if the pan can be dropped without raising the engine, or not. The actual pan gasket and oil pump work should only take an hour or so if access is easy.
Van