To get oil pan off Drop front axle or pull engine ?

I have a rod knock, what is the quickest way to get the oil pan off to have a look ? Pull engine or remove front differeintal ?

Just to get the oil pan off pull the front differeintal.

What year and engine and model do you have?
How bad is the knock and are you sure it is a rod?
But if a rod is knocking to do a proper rod repair the engine will need to come out and torn all the way down.
You may have a flat crank and spun rod and other problems.
Sometimes another engine is cheaper and better than rebuilding/repair on old one.

1996 2dr 4x4 4.3L auto 250Kmiles well maintained no sludge in valley or valve covers when intake gasket change 1.5 years ago. Body pretty rusty so book value is probably $500. By oil pressure gauge was always about 40 idle 60 highway, now 40 idle 20 highway and pretty good knocking from red light under load once cruising no noise. Quit driving as soon as saw oil pressure change and heard noise. willing to try a $100 bucks in bearings and gasket to swap from underneath. Got 2 years out of a 89 caddy and 91 jeep by swapping noisey rod beaqrings fron below. Any tips or write ups on removing front dif?

1996 2dr 4x4 4.3L auto 250Kmiles well maintained no sludge in valley or valve covers when intake gasket change 1.5 years ago. Body pretty rusty so book value is probably $500. By oil pressure gauge was always about 40 idle 60 highway, now 40 idle 20 highway and pretty good knocking from red light under load once cruising no noise. Quit driving as soon as saw oil pressure change and heard noise. willing to try a $100 bucks in bearings and gasket to swap from underneath. Got 2 years out of a 89 caddy and 91 jeep by swapping noisey rod beaqrings fron below. Any tips or write ups on removing front dif?

You might look threw the how to section.
Just remove axel shafts and unbolt it and drop the hole thing down.
Good luck
MT