Methods to get under the car
03-27-06, 10:42 AM
#1
Drunken Master
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Methods to get under the car
Okay, I need a new method to get under the car this spring so I can change the oil, finally swap out the fuel filter, etc. I used to use two very long boards and two logs sawed in the shape of ramps (just drove the car up on that), not the greatest setup but it worked. The boards finally broke this winter with the family car, and I'm on the lookout for some new ramps. Are there any aluminum or steel ramps that anyone uses with success? I prefer ramps if possible due to safety.
I don't have a jack capable of getting underneath the car, and no concrete in sight (gravel driveway).
I don't have a jack capable of getting underneath the car, and no concrete in sight (gravel driveway).
03-27-06, 10:56 AM
#2
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I always use a jack and stands. Since the jack won't fit under the front I made a pair of very simple "ramps" out of 2x12 lumber. The first piece is about 18" long with a 45 degree cut at the front and rests on the floor. Screwed directly on top of that is another piece about 10" long with another 45 degree cut at the front. It essentially makes a 3" tall set of ramps that you can quickly and easily drive the front up onto, leaving plenty of room to get a jack under the front without dragging the nose on anything.
03-27-06, 11:33 AM
#3
Most ramps are too steep for use with an FD, especially ones with R1 lips. I made a set like Damon described and they really help. Be sure that if you use more than 1 2x12 in height, to leave enough length on the lower section to roll onto before climbing the second. It will not climb 2 2x12s at once, certainly not easily.
I second the use of jack and jackstand. I don't know if using a thick piece of plywood (1"?) will work, but if I were in that situation that's what I'd try to do.
Dave
I second the use of jack and jackstand. I don't know if using a thick piece of plywood (1"?) will work, but if I were in that situation that's what I'd try to do.
Dave
03-27-06, 11:46 AM
#4
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I might end up doing that.
I just did a quick google search and came up with these two products:
http://www.discountramps.com/low_profile_car_ramp.htm
http://www.discountramps.com/sports_car_ramps.htm
Anyone have any experience with these?
I just did a quick google search and came up with these two products:
http://www.discountramps.com/low_profile_car_ramp.htm
http://www.discountramps.com/sports_car_ramps.htm
Anyone have any experience with these?
03-27-06, 11:50 AM
#5
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A pair of jack stands will only cost 20-30 bucks from Sears. Those ramps you're showin' I think are just way overpriced. I've got better ways to waste my money on my FD.....
Last edited by yuichiror; 03-27-06 at 11:53 AM.
03-27-06, 01:00 PM
#6
I use a jack to do my oil. I raise it all the way to the max which gives me more than enough room.
I never did the fuel filter but when i did my exhaust, i backed up on some plastic ramps i bought from autozone. No problem there, i actually had alot of room too.
I never did the fuel filter but when i did my exhaust, i backed up on some plastic ramps i bought from autozone. No problem there, i actually had alot of room too.
03-27-06, 01:17 PM
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Originally Posted by ulost2my7
I use a jack to do my oil. I raise it all the way to the max which gives me more than enough room.
I never did the fuel filter but when i did my exhaust, i backed up on some plastic ramps i bought from autozone. No problem there, i actually had alot of room too.
I never did the fuel filter but when i did my exhaust, i backed up on some plastic ramps i bought from autozone. No problem there, i actually had alot of room too.
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03-27-06, 01:23 PM
#8
Originally Posted by rynberg
VERY VERY BAD IDEA. Never trust a jack to hold the car up, especially a hydraulic jack.
I know but i been doing that for years and even though nothing bad happened to me thank god, i know thats the wrong way.
I should make the effort and get myself a set of jack stands.
03-27-06, 01:24 PM
#9
Rotary Freak
Originally Posted by rynberg
VERY VERY BAD IDEA. Never trust a jack to hold the car up, especially a hydraulic jack.
03-27-06, 01:53 PM
#10
I use ramps. Cheap ones from Sears. To get onto the ramps, I use some 2x4's like people have listed above. I have an R1 lip, and no problems clearing it.
The front of the ramp sits on the back of the lower (longer) 2x4. The second 2x4 is screwed to the lower one, and butts up to the front of the ramp. They both have 45% front edges. You drive onto the lower (longer) 2x4, go a few inches, then onto the second 2x4. That puts you high enough on the ramp to clear the lip.
The front of the ramp sits on the back of the lower (longer) 2x4. The second 2x4 is screwed to the lower one, and butts up to the front of the ramp. They both have 45% front edges. You drive onto the lower (longer) 2x4, go a few inches, then onto the second 2x4. That puts you high enough on the ramp to clear the lip.
03-27-06, 02:18 PM
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Originally Posted by adam c
I use ramps. Cheap ones from Sears. To get onto the ramps, I use some 2x4's like people have listed above. I have an R1 lip, and no problems clearing it.
The front of the ramp sits on the back of the lower (longer) 2x4. The second 2x4 is screwed to the lower one, and butts up to the front of the ramp. They both have 45% front edges. You drive onto the lower (longer) 2x4, go a few inches, then onto the second 2x4. That puts you high enough on the ramp to clear the lip.
The front of the ramp sits on the back of the lower (longer) 2x4. The second 2x4 is screwed to the lower one, and butts up to the front of the ramp. They both have 45% front edges. You drive onto the lower (longer) 2x4, go a few inches, then onto the second 2x4. That puts you high enough on the ramp to clear the lip.
03-27-06, 04:39 PM
#15
Get a nice low profile jack and some SUV stands and a creeper. Its almost like being on vacation under there for me. I got mine from pep boys and theyve served me well so far. Shes up on 4 stands and I sleep next to it and run into it drunk all the time. She aint falling off. I can raire it up to like 20" or something and its plenty of room to work down at 16".
03-27-06, 04:40 PM
#16
Originally Posted by Scrub
Here is the best way to lift the car....just a little preview of things to come 
But if this option is a bit much, $30 ramps and some plywood in front of them will work just about as good, except the confort level may be a little lower.
But if this option is a bit much, $30 ramps and some plywood in front of them will work just about as good, except the confort level may be a little lower.
03-27-06, 06:17 PM
#18
Originally Posted by DamonB
I always use a jack and stands. Since the jack won't fit under the front I made a pair of very simple "ramps" out of 2x12 lumber. The first piece is about 18" long with a 45 degree cut at the front and rests on the floor. Screwed directly on top of that is another piece about 10" long with another 45 degree cut at the front. It essentially makes a 3" tall set of ramps that you can quickly and easily drive the front up onto, leaving plenty of room to get a jack under the front without dragging the nose on anything.
Here is a drawing I made for a better visual:
Using some 2"x12" board, cut the bottom piece 36" in legth, the next 24" and the top 12"... Screw them all together to make a nice solid, safe ramp. Then you can drive onto this and get a jack under the car to put it on jackstands. Or if you want to avoid using a jack all together, just add a few more layers to this ramp on the bottom so that the car is high enough to where you can crawl underneath.
03-27-06, 06:20 PM
#19
Originally Posted by Scrub
Here is the best way to lift the car....just a little preview of things to come
But if this option is a bit much, $30 ramps and some plywood in front of them will work just about as good, except the confort level may be a little lower.
But if this option is a bit much, $30 ramps and some plywood in front of them will work just about as good, except the confort level may be a little lower.
03-27-06, 07:31 PM
#20
Takata actually makes some very low profile ramps out of rubber. Anybody that can order Takata belts (yeah I know....they're everywhere right) should be able to order a set of ramps for you.
03-27-06, 08:33 PM
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Originally Posted by fsae_alum
Takata actually makes some very low profile ramps out of rubber. Anybody that can order Takata belts (yeah I know....they're everywhere right) should be able to order a set of ramps for you.
03-27-06, 08:38 PM
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I stacked some 2 1/2" rubber mats in a staggered layout (as described above) 2 levels high and drove the car right up. Next I jacked the car up as high as my floor jack will extend then secured the car with 4 jack stands as well as additional rubber mats directly under the wheels. In the event that all 4 jackstands should fail the car will only fall about 3" but I'll still have about 10" between me and a painful death. Oh and I also chocked the rear wheels.
Jason
Jason
03-27-06, 09:36 PM
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first I drive my car into the back yard .... I turn it off, take it out of gear .... hook up the tow strap.... I then dig a hole deep enough so that I can stand up in.... once the hole is just right ... I can then grab hold of the tow strap and pull the car up over me...... and there you have it.... one new way to get under the seven.... ...... really I use a low profile race jack and 6 ton jack stands.... works great.... I can have the 7 up off of all four tires in less then 3min.... way faster then the factory jack....
...... really I use a low profile race jack and 6 ton jack stands.... works great.... I can have the 7 up off of all four tires in less then 3min.... way faster then the factory jack....
03-27-06, 09:44 PM
#25
Originally Posted by Scrub
Here is the best way to lift the car....just a little preview of things to come
But if this option is a bit much, $30 ramps and some plywood in front of them will work just about as good, except the confort level may be a little lower.
But if this option is a bit much, $30 ramps and some plywood in front of them will work just about as good, except the confort level may be a little lower.
