Jacking up 87 Caravan

I'm going to do my brakes on my 87 Caravan. But the last time I jacked it up (from the rear end) I wasn't happy using the rear axle to jack the car up. The Hayes manual shows the jacking points (centered on the rear axle for a floor jack). If you use the jacking points in the manual for the Van's jacks the leaf springs hang so low that one must jack the car a mile up (very unsafe). Any adivice would be helpful.

for brake work just jack up one side at a time (you can lift by the axle close to each wheel. Lift 1 side at a time and use good jackstands.