David, I just did mine last week on my '91 300SE.
Don't even think about it without a tranny jack.
That thing weighs close to 100 pounds. If you got it out it would crush you, and if it didn't, you'd never get it back in.
I got a nice tranny jack at Harbor Freight for only $50 a few years back.
using that, it's actually pretty easy. I had to put a couple of 2x12's under my rhino ramps in order to get it out from under the car while still on the jack, but no biggy.

You could try a regular jack, and risk life/limb/damage to the car & tranny.
Just say No, spend a few of those $2500 you are saving, and get a real tranny jack.

DG