As far as loosening the tranny mount what is acceptable? The bolts in the center of the cross member or do I have to take off the cross member and support the tranny?
Second is the most common way of lowering and raising the engine by the oil pan nd a block of wood? Or should I look elsewhere?

 

Support the trans and remove the X-member.

Wood is good for the engine mounts.

 

I used block of wood on both engine and trans. I supported the trans and took off skid plate then cross member then unbolted mount. my xj had the exhaust bracket between trans and mount.

 

All you have to do is loosen the nuts in the center of the cross-member. 2 if it a 4 cylinder, 4 if it is a 6. Don't take the cross-member off just to change motor mounts.

 

never loosened a thing on the tranny mount i just used a block of wood and a floor jack under the oil pan thats it

 

This is how I did mine