Yes you can switch the pairs, you'll do no harm. Your straight through patch cord should work. You could also tie 1 to 4 and 2 to 5 to loop it back and see if the NID syncs up, that would test your wiring. If you have a mod plug and crimper just make yourself a loopback plug to plug into you jack, that will check everything you've done. Another way to do it if you don't have the crimper is take another 8pin jack and tie the rec and transmit to make a loopback and plug you patch cord into it, again you'll check everything you've done.
