Craig,

A few months back I pulled my AT to replace the torque converter seal,
and do a filter change and service. It took all weekend to do the whole
job (probably 12 hours total over 2 days, and I go slow). I am not a
professional mechanic, but I love working on my cars so I know what I am
doing. I used the Bentley manual as well as the information on
www.vanagonparts.com tech section. I also took some time to clean the
years of crap off the case and repack the CV joints.

Make sure you get the rear end jacked up as high as you can, and support
the engine really well from above or below. I found it easier to use a
length of chain from above to hold the engine up with the AT out. 

This is a big job, and I would suggest finding an assistant for the
pulling, and installation of the AT, I pulled it out by myself, but
without my wife on the jack, I would have never of got it back in. I
ended up fashioning a little cart to hold the transmission on the jack,
because it kept wanting to slide off. 

You can do, if you have a few wrenches and some know how.

Feel free to email me if you have any other questions about the pulling
the AT, I still have it fresh in my mind, and maybe I can help you avoid
any mistakes along the way.

Good luck,

Andy Y.
1989 Vanagon Carat