Factory service manual versus real expierence

you can do it either way. unless i am replacing just the trans. i pull them out as a unit, but thats just me. i do it this way so i am not fighting the converter or flywheel bolts or trying to get everything lined up under the car. i find it easier to just unbolt the driveshaft and crossmember / linkage and just take it all out. its really a matter of preference . some would rather battle the trans, and secure it up in the car and remove the engine seperately , rather than just take it all out.