Lower oil pan gasket replacement question

[MountainsRcalling]

So I have a 2006 V6 Sport with 170K that is showing a leak near the lower oil pan. I cleaned it up with brake cleaner and have been watching it closely. The leak is small and steady, more on the drivers side and I have not needed to add any oil yet. My thought is to go ahead and replace the gasket on the lower pan as it does seem to be degraded.

So my questions:
1) What else should I trouble shoot? (I am certain it is not the filter)
1) Am I correct in understanding there is no OEM replacement for the gasket and that I should get FIPG rather than buying a gasket from pepboys or amazon.
2) The lower pan seems easy to get to without dealing with anything major like the differential correct?
3) If I can get to the lower pan is there anything else I should do/change/clean while under there?

I plan to keep this truck for as long as possible, so if there are recommendations for preventative replacements I am all ears. I have normally stuck to oil and brake changes, but as I spend more time off-roading I am more and more interested in learning how to fix or at diagnose on my own. I really appreciate both the experience on this forum and the willingness to share!

Thanks

 

[V8PoWer]

I'd wipe clean above the oil pan and hope it is not the rear main seal. See if it returns in a few days.
Using high mileage oil may help leaks if its very little as they contain seal swelling additives.
Didn't know this day in age oil pan gasket deteriorate that early.

 

[Tigerrob20]

I'm going to bump this because I have the exact same problem on my 06 SE with 160k miles.

MountainsRcalling , did you manage to fix this issue? Any tips?

Local mechanic quoted about $350 parts and labor to fix this (after changing my oil, ugh).

 

[lbhsbz]

It takes 10 minues to get the lower pan off. The toughest part is I sticking it after you get the bolts out. I generally bang on them with a dead blow hammer, but this one is a bit more confined, so I use an angled head prybar and hammer it in the seam...

You'll have to straighten the pan flange a bit because it'll bend...

Use a wire wheel / razor blades to clean the old glue, then use either FIPG, ultra grey, or the right stuff (grey) to glue it back on.