A manual vanagon transmission isn't even that heavy or awkward at all.   
I just use a floor jack, with the handle pointing toward the front of the
van.
A transmission jack is usually too big and awkward anyway.
I had one, used it a time or two, went right back to balancing it nicely on
a floor jack.
Works just fine. 
It's only a short period of time from when you just start taking it off the
engine, until the jack is lowered all the way to the floor with the trans on
it.  I have to 'be cool' and 'clever' a little during that period, but
really, it's a piece of cake.  Getting the balance point is the main trick,
but that's not hard to do really. 
Like you'd have to pay me extra to get me to use a tranny jack. 
Scott
www.turbovans.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Ben Cichowski
Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2008 8:21 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Tranny Jack opinions

Hi all,

I need to drop the manual transmission out of my '88 Vanagon and wanted to
pick up a transmission jack on the cheap (Not my normal course of action to
go less expensive on tools).

As I said, I normally, don't skimp on tools. But, in this case, I don't
anticipate using a transmission jack on a regular basis. 
So I was wondering if some of the veterans out there would tell me whether
they think this one will do the job. 
I'm not sure how long I'll need it, so renting one could add up.

Here it is, in all its relatively inexpensive glory:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=39178

Thanks,
Ben

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