[round_midnight]

If I want to get the whole car in the air and I need a lot of open space underneath, I put the jack on the outer frame rail just behind the attachment point for the sidepipe and take the jack up to nearly full height. I put jackstands under the front frame extension just in front of the swaybar bushing and under the lateral frame rail that is behind the diff as far outboard as practical. Then the same for the other side. If I need more height, then I can put the jack under the bellhousing and raise the front, and under the diff to raise the back. Lowering is just the reverse. If you raised it in steps, then lower it in steps.

I think that your worries about cracking the body are unfounded. The frame is pretty stiff, and I've jacked mine from nearly everywhere the frame is 2x2 or larger with no problems.

P.S. It goes without saying that you need to do this on a level surface! (but I said it anyway...)