Looking at changing out my alt for the first time so I'm looking for some procedural steps. I would guess first my serp belt comes off but after that I'm not sure. The a/c compressor seems like it was right on top of the alt so I'm guessing the alt would slip out the bottom somehow?

Also I'm away from home and got zero tools so I'm gonna have to get whatever I need before jumping into this. Other than a full socket and ratchet set are there any other tools I'll need to get this done?

Bleepinjeep did a video in replacing an alternator on a mid 90's XJ. Check out his channel on YouTube.

Yeah, it's a bear for some and easy for others.

You need to take out the battery and the battery tray, then it comes out from the top. I had to fight with it to slide it forward and then twist it up and out. I think I took out the fan shroud too just to get more room for the hands. And you have to be careful not to damage the AC lines that are right there next to the alt. Finally, if your motor mounts are distorted, that may affect the clearance between the engine block and the frame to exit the alt. So look out for that.

I recommend soaking the bolts with PB blaster for a day or two, or at least a couple of hours.

remove from bottom

I removed the battery and tray from my '92. Wiggled and wormed it out from the top. I did not disturb the A/C or remove the shroud.

But you still have to get underneath to get to some of the bracket-to-engine bolts.

The alternator and bracket come out together IIRC.

This was not easy but it's done now. Bleepinjeep video didn't seem to match what I was looking at so just winged it from pieces of advice.

Loosened belt, removed batt and tray. Loosened and removed alt bracket from underneath then alt came out through the top. Looked impossible to come out from the bottom.

Thanks for the help

Congrats! This job nearly drove me insane for my 92. I know that there were years with different alternators that actually made the job easier but it seems that your 96 and my 92 shared the same part or at least a similar one that made the job a colossal pain!