Help! Removing Starter 99 Durango 4x4

[ewidder]

This is a re-post of an April 2004 post which is still un-resolved. Here I am five years later and in the exact same predicament! Starter is loose from engine, skid plate off. How the heck does one get the starter out of the vehicle??? Only reply to original post said, "The starter CAN come out straight down "IF" postioned vertically and turned just right". That's where I am right now & I'm not seein' it: 5 lbs starter, 3 lbs opening. A little guidance on the "just right" aspect of position would sure come in handy 'bout now.

[terminals: front, rear, R, L?, how to clear pinion-end flange ears, etc.]

I seem to recall having put the previous replacement in from the side with ~minus 2mm clearance with some brake lines. Guess I'll spent another hour trying the puzzle from that angle.

Those Dodge engineers must've been havin' a good ol' time when they designed this cluster-f*ck arrangement!