have a 2005 xj8 that has gone on the ground while i was getting ready to change engine. anyway to get shocks up so i can get engine hoist under it? engine locked up

 

I think that the only way to get shocks up is by igniting the engine to attempt restarting the compressor, hoping it will look for the previous height settings.
Or recalibrate the suspension heights using SDD but at some point it will also be required to ignite the engine...
The alternative would be maybe to roll an ultralow floor jack underneath

 

Push the tires up on 1 x 4's, then 2 x 4's, etc 'til you can get a jack under it. I have to do this to get a jack under my M3 as well

Alternately, jumper the jag compressor relay (make sure the battery is fully charged first). The compressor pulls a large current

 

that would get it up some but still couldn't get it on rack . but did find out the shocks use a m10x1 fitting. now to find one. jaguar just lafted at me.