so I have an oil leak.  looks like it is coming from the oil pan but oil pan is undamaged so i'm assuming i have a bad gasket.  never done this before so i look up instructions but notice that all the guides say to drop the differential.  I don't have the capability to do that.  will the pan not just drop out after removal of the bolts?

Not on the stock Sammy. You can't clear the oil pickup tube. Just drop the differential by taking the shackle bolts loose and jack up the frame. The diff will stay down with the wheels. that being said, I never use a gasket on the pan. Just clean it free of oil and use RTV.

ahhh.  well i started and finished the job long before your reply, but thank you none the less!  I luckily have a 6in SPOA lift so i didn't have to do anything other than pull the pan.  I used a gasket and RTV.  made a nice seal on it.  was leaking like crazy before but now not a drop in sight!!!!