I'll second what Steve said - get someone to help you - another set of eyes - and a set of fingers that can dial 911 if need be - are invaluable.
As far as technique - I've used a engine hoist (my favorite) - a M62 wrecker - and a large floor jack during various transmission pulls. I own a neat little hoist made just for this - but so far haven't used it. The floor jack is my least favorite. In addition to the obvious transmission-transfer case driveshaft, be sure and disconnect the PTO shaft and linkages if the truck has a winch, and the sprag linkage if the truck doesn't have an air-shift front axle. I remove two of the bolts in diagonally opposite corners of the shift top, and thread them back in through the links of a stout chain.
I dunno exactly how much the transmission weighs - 5-10 years ago I could move one around singlehandidly - but not easily - today I wouldn't even attempt it!
Hope this helps,
David Doyle