Big Hoovie, you could but its not going to get into the machined mating surfaces where the sealing takes place. You dont want to drop the pan 1/4" either and just shove silicoln or gasket maker in there because the oil pan gasket is a 4 piece rubber unit from the factory, if you dont get the front and rear and corners lined up correctly when you re-tighten..........then the engine would have to come out.
All the 4.0L's I have had leaked slightyl from the oil pan, not a big deal IMO especially when a little torque on the bolts will slow it way way down.