Is it a real pain to change. Has anyone tried? Will the pan leak after I'm done?

What year, what tranny? Typically if you do it right, you shouldn't have any leaks, because that means that you have to replace the gasket, filter, fluid and what have you.

1997 V6 4-speed automatic

John

Be sure to wear gloves. On the bottom of the fluid pan will be a thin, gooey film of metal particles. You need to wipe the pan clean and throw away the rags you use to do it. Those metal particles are like needle if you get them on your hands. Really hard to get them off your hands and they sting.