Jim,
I have done the same.
Pretty darn fast at it now.
A shorty 13mm SnapOn fits like a charm and yes support from under to gain a free hand.
I replace the hardware with stainless while I'm there.
I get the proper lenght bolts and install into the bracket, threads up and through the�hole.
The slave slides on the two bolts and I put the nuts on from the outside.
This way you can grab the nuts and keep the bolts in place, the next time it comes off.
Antisieze in this area due to road spray.�

dylan

________________________________
From: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 10:21:22 AM
Subject: Re: Manual trans replacement

Pulling the pesky slave cylinder bracket: as was mentioned in the post
I trimmed, use a grinder to cut a cheap 13mm box wrench in half. Put
it over the pesky fastener underneath the bracket and stuff the
underside of the bracket with a rag or newspaper. Then it becomes an
easy job, giving you two free hands to unbolt with.

I've heard that lever doesn't come off so easily on a lot of vanagons.

Jim