I’m changing my oil pan gasket on my 06 5.3 z71 and I’m trying to determine if the plate inside the oil pan is completely necessary for reinstallation. Trying to maneuver around the front diff and bell housing while trying to get the pickup tube past that plate is pretty tricky by myself. Any expertise is helpful because I’d love to trash it. Thanks guys!

 

the service manual instructions are to remove the axle, crossmember, and to separate the transmission.

The baffle is there to keep the oil pickup submerged and prevent the engine from being starved, so it sounds pretty important.