I put the van on my hoist, raise aprox. 4 feet off ground and drop the engine and transmission as one piece with a 6 ton transmission jack I use on heavy equipment.
The trans jack is much safer than the ATV jack.
You can secure by chains so it doesn't slide around.
Trans jack are very low profile and have built in side supports.

dylan

----- Original Message ----
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 2:19:03 AM
Subject: Re: Vanagon Engine/Transmission Removal Websites?

I remove the whole engine/trans unit on a single floor jack 'all the time'
all my my little self, and it's no big deal at all !
getting the balance point is about the trickiest part. and make sure you
have every last thing disconnected.

it's easier taking out the whole unit, than it is doing either just the
engine, or just the trans.
I mgiht but a 2 X 10 about two feet long between the floor jack pad and the
engine/trans.

----- Original Message -----
From: "J Stewart" <fonman4277@COMCAST.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 8:25 PM
Subject: Re: Vanagon Engine/Transmission Removal Websites?

> <Not sure if I'd do the final drop with 1 person
> but with 2 people the engine and tranny dropped just fine.>
>
> But if you must do it alone, get an ATV/motorcycle jack.   Jeff