XT1030 (Mini) Root and Unlock Options?

Hey XDA friends, wife's XT1030 (mini) just started randomly going nuts, probably an issue with the digitizer. Ordere a new-old-stock XT1030 (mini) online and it just arrived.

Her previous was updated to the max to SU6-7.7 which I gather can't be rooted. I myself have a Moto X developer edition so I do what I want on it but I'm not versed in the XT1030 (mini).

New one is on SU6-7.2 and 24.13.2.obakem_verizon.Verizon.en.us

Do I have to downgrade to SU6-7 to be able to root or can I root on what I'm at now? If downgrade, anyone have a link/video?
Also, as far as unlocking the bootloader, I assume I either have to use Sunshine (pay software, right?) or is there another method out there?

Thanks,
Mike

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