My one of best ever investment was to get that Pneumatic-Hydraulic Jack.
It's the exact size for the Vanagon and with having compressed air, it is a
walk in the park' to lift the car to put it on jacks.  Then taking out the
jacks would be even easier and faster because I don't have to let the
pneumatic jack down all the way for letting the other side down too.
If I remember it right, it cost about $120.  Now, I can't imagine life
without it.  I use it every day.
But I would understand if one does not have a compressor and need to use
something else.
Zoltan

----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Hanson" <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 9:34 PM
Subject: Harbor Freight Jacks

>   They have their aluminum "Racing" floor jacks on sale for $69.   I've
> had one of these for about 10yrs now.   It is really handy and functions
> well.   It weighs about 25lbs and until it feels a load, each pump stroke
> moves the lift pad a lot.  Quick acting.    Like it takes about 4 pumps to
> go from flat down to reach the jacking points on my Vanagon.   It will
> easily lift the whole side of the van, or front end and rear end...Says
> "1.5 Ton" but mine has raised more without problem.  Like those crews in
> the NASCAR TV shows, it's easy to just trot around with...I wish I could
> find a place to stash it in my van for traveling, but it a full sized
> floor
> jack.   Raises about 15".
>
>   I was quite skeptical until I got mine that anything so inexpensive
> could be work properly, but my 'real' cast iron and steel floor jacks now
> reside under my work benches, un-used.   Just today my SO wanted me to fix
> her Subaru but my garage/shop was full.   I just grabbed the HF floor jack
> and went out in the gravel drive  with it in one hand, tool box in the
> other and got the job done with ease...
>
> thru end of may..worth it if you use a jack frequently..
>  Don Hanson
>