Oil Pan removal 1993 4WD

All, Have a leaky oil pan and I want to remove/reseal...I've heard that the "proper" way to remove the oil pan on these is remove the front diff and get at the pan that way. It looks like I can pull out the steering damper and linkage and pull out the Oil Pan that way. Am I correct?
Also, there are two 10mm nuts at the transmission side of the pan that are obstructed by a cover. How do you get these out?

 

UPDATE: OK, as I suspected there is more that enough room to pull out the oil pan from the front with the Steering linkage moved out of the way. I just can't find a wrench that can get to those nuts in the back. Even with a wobble extension and thin walled 10mm it won't fit. Especially the one on the driver's side... I have every nut/bolt out except for those two. (Maybe super long needle nose pliers?)

 

Wow the original steering dampener, I’d be replacing that after your done. Otherwise I’m not much help but good luck you may have to make something.

 

I honestly can't recall if the oil pump pickup will let you get the pan out, but you might be able to reach up in there and unbolt the pump blind/partially blind.

It's best to have a new oil pump gasket.

No help on the bolts as I had the tx out when I did it

 

UPDATE: OK me being lazy, I didn't look around and there are 2 brackets on each side that when removed lets you remove the cover plate on the transmission and you can access thos 2 nuts....

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Now that I'm under here I figured I might as well inspect the connecting rod bearings... anyone have an idea of what size this nut is on the connecting rod cap? (I will probably only doe this once and I don't need another set of special wrenches) The Haynes manual is of no help with anything...

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OMG - Never mind. I'm stupid. It's a regular 12 point socket. I thought at first glance it was an eTorx...

 

I forgot about the inspection cover. It was 100% MIA on the '93 I was working on

 

Did you end up pulling the front differential. It doesn’t look like there’s enough clearance to pull the pan.