It may take some wiggling. But If memory serves me correctly you can separate the torque converter from the tranny and leave it connected to the flex plate (tone ring). You may have to twist the tranny some, to get the converter to disengage (come loose). I've done it on the ground, though never in the vehicle. Tranny fluid runs everywhere, having a plan in place to deal with it can save a lot of grief.
I always remove most of the front clip and pull the tranny, transfer and engine as a unit out the front. The center of gravity is right around number six cylinder. I've found it easier than trying to separate them in the vehicle.
The first time removing the radiator brace and the other junk can be a pain, a hammer (impact) ratchet comes in handy. You have to raise the front of the XJ a little to get the right angle, if you raise it too high the engine lift won't go high enough. A little trial and error my be needed. Get the hook from the lift as close to the top of the motor as practical, I remove the starter, intake and exhaust manifold and wrap an old tow strap around the motor at the rear of the pan and run a chain from the front of the motor (intake bolt) to the hook for angle adjustments. I usually bend the bell housing dust cover a little using this methiode, nothing a few minutes with a hammmer won't fix.
