Welcome. There are lots of knowledgeable people here who don't mind helping out (I should know)

oil pan is a real PITA to get out. It is sealed with silicone from the factory. I got a tube of FIPG (toyota's black silicone) from the dealer for less than $15. Guy there told me that you can buy cork gaskets for the oil pan, but they suck and leak. Everyone here will say that not dropping the pan is not an option.

I was able to get it out by dropping the steering stabilizer and the differential. No need to unhook anything from the diff.

You can get Engnbldr's kit, with an oil pump and steel rails for a good price. Comes with a tensioner and *all* the gaskets. You can get a water pump local. Take lots of pictures (esp. if you are like me and didn't remember how the accessory brackets, etc. went back in - got stumped on that for a while).