how to drop 96 fuel tank

so all the hoses are off, the electrical's off, and it looks like the tank's exit is being blocked by the heat shield, even though haynes said that was only 1999.

once i get that shield out of the way, i still don't really understand how it fits out - the support straps look like blocking any kind of exit. does it slide out the side of the car? towards the rear?

The fuel tank straps have a long bolt on one end which you have to remove.
When the bolts are out the strap drops down.

i have the bolts off.. but is it ok to bend the straps that far?

Look on the other side can it allow the strap to come off. You can bend the straps some but don't kink them.