You on a hoist or fighting on the ground?
Pull the exhaust first
Makes getting the trans out way easier
Factory Ford exhaust is made to be removed at the bolts and nothing welds together
Pull it down from the Y pipe first and then the rear can come down, any way that it is easiest
Remove the crossmember to get the exhaust out and gone
Support the engine at the front of the trans pan first. Then you can remove the trans mount and crossmember