Jack and jack stands for me. They're more versatile than ramps, as you can take off the wheels.
Ramps or jacks?
- Thread starter zerosoma
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No jack stands nor ramps for me. Since the drain hole is facing the passenger side of the LS400 and S2000, I just back up the cars with the driver wheels on the curb, the passenger wheels on the street, I have enough room to change oil and filter, and much less time than either ramps or jack stands.
Originally Posted By: MrQuackers
Lumber.
^ This. I've never had the three 4x4's under each tire fail under the weight!
JP
Lumber.
^ This. I've never had the three 4x4's under each tire fail under the weight!
JP
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If I don't need to take off the wheels, ramps. My car is too low for my floor jack to fit under. I have to drive on some phone books to make it work, so if I'm doing that, might as well put ramps in the way instead.
Old, bent, rewelded metal ramps.
Ramps
Jack and stands.
Jack and stands. I do a tire rotation with pretty much every oil change, so it's really the only option.
Ramps for just an oil change.
If I rotate the tires, I have two floor jacks so I can raise one side of the vehicle without having to use a stand and repostion the jack.
If I am doing something like replacing struts or brakes then I use jack stands.
If I rotate the tires, I have two floor jacks so I can raise one side of the vehicle without having to use a stand and repostion the jack.
If I am doing something like replacing struts or brakes then I use jack stands.
Originally Posted By: zerosoma
Originally Posted By: HerrStig
Driving an front wheel drive up a set of ramps can be tricky. I actually sprinkle a little sand on mine.
Really? I just back up 6 or 8 feet and give 'er one good gas and usually it's up on the ramps. I've only went over the ramps once or twice.
You're a better man than I....
Originally Posted By: HerrStig
Driving an front wheel drive up a set of ramps can be tricky. I actually sprinkle a little sand on mine.
Really? I just back up 6 or 8 feet and give 'er one good gas and usually it's up on the ramps. I've only went over the ramps once or twice.
You're a better man than I....
No need for either for just oil - I can reach the oil plug on a Civic or similarly low car, but since I'm usually rotating the tires also, its jack and stands required.
Jack to lift one side on my BMW for oil chnages. I also put a jack stand under as well. Also use wheel chocks on rear wheels with e-brake on. Only have to lift it about 10 inches to get good access to the drain plug. Filter is from the top side. Under pan does not even have to be removed.
I have used my jack to lift up each side to detail.
I have ramps. Hace not used them very much.
I have used my jack to lift up each side to detail.
I have ramps. Hace not used them very much.
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Originally Posted By: Russell
Jack to lift one side on my BMW for oil chnages. I also put a jack stand under as well. Also use wheel chocks on rear wheels with e-brake on. Only have to lift it about 10 inches to get good access to the drain plug. Filter is from the top side. Under pan does not even have to be removed.
I have used my jack to lift up each side to detail.
I have ramps. Hace not used them very much.
Forgot to mention. Even with jack stands holding the car up i still leave the jack under the car in a holding position.
Jack to lift one side on my BMW for oil chnages. I also put a jack stand under as well. Also use wheel chocks on rear wheels with e-brake on. Only have to lift it about 10 inches to get good access to the drain plug. Filter is from the top side. Under pan does not even have to be removed.
I have used my jack to lift up each side to detail.
I have ramps. Hace not used them very much.
Forgot to mention. Even with jack stands holding the car up i still leave the jack under the car in a holding position.
I have a pair of ramp that i bought 25 years ago. i think i have used them once or twice.
I do everything with a jack and jack stands. hope to get a lift in my next house
I do everything with a jack and jack stands. hope to get a lift in my next house
Originally Posted By: HerrStig
Originally Posted By: zerosoma
Originally Posted By: HerrStig
Driving an front wheel drive up a set of ramps can be tricky. I actually sprinkle a little sand on mine.
Really? I just back up 6 or 8 feet and give 'er one good gas and usually it's up on the ramps. I've only went over the ramps once or twice.
You're a better man than I....
You just gotta line up the ramps with the tires, stand back and close one eye to make sure they are straight. Of course your tires have to be completely straight too. Then you get in, hit reverse and back up completely straight about 5-8 feet, stop, put it in drive, gas her once real good and glide right up onto them. As soon as you feel the "bump" put it in park and engage the E brake. Never had to use sand in any instance.
Originally Posted By: zerosoma
Originally Posted By: HerrStig
Driving an front wheel drive up a set of ramps can be tricky. I actually sprinkle a little sand on mine.
Really? I just back up 6 or 8 feet and give 'er one good gas and usually it's up on the ramps. I've only went over the ramps once or twice.
You're a better man than I....
You just gotta line up the ramps with the tires, stand back and close one eye to make sure they are straight. Of course your tires have to be completely straight too. Then you get in, hit reverse and back up completely straight about 5-8 feet, stop, put it in drive, gas her once real good and glide right up onto them. As soon as you feel the "bump" put it in park and engage the E brake. Never had to use sand in any instance.
Originally Posted By: bigjl
I use axle stands and a jack most of the time. I don't have a drive just a parking space by my garage otherwise I would use ramps, with something permanently in the ground to stop the ramps sliding when driving up.
I should perhaps look into buying better ramps to stop that.
If the car is going to be in the air for more than an oil change i will put the ramps up in the car park space by my rear fence as then I can wedge the ramps against a small kerb.
I had a problem with the ramps sliding on a slick concrete garage floor. I bought the cheapest, ugliest rubber backed bath mat that I could find, about 48" long. I slit it in half lengthwise and put a section under each ramp, rubber side down. It works perfectly to keep the ramp in place when driving up it. I also make sure to wedge the ramps under the tire with a few kicks before I start the drive up them.
I use axle stands and a jack most of the time. I don't have a drive just a parking space by my garage otherwise I would use ramps, with something permanently in the ground to stop the ramps sliding when driving up.
I should perhaps look into buying better ramps to stop that.
If the car is going to be in the air for more than an oil change i will put the ramps up in the car park space by my rear fence as then I can wedge the ramps against a small kerb.
I had a problem with the ramps sliding on a slick concrete garage floor. I bought the cheapest, ugliest rubber backed bath mat that I could find, about 48" long. I slit it in half lengthwise and put a section under each ramp, rubber side down. It works perfectly to keep the ramp in place when driving up it. I also make sure to wedge the ramps under the tire with a few kicks before I start the drive up them.
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2025
Truck and Equinox do not need to be lifted.
Buick...Ramps
Trans Am...Jack. It is too low for ramps
Buick...Ramps
Trans Am...Jack. It is too low for ramps
I used to use a pit at a buddies house. He sold the house though. I now use a set of home made ramps. They are constructed out of 2x12s I feel much better with my truck sitting on these then the [censored] ramps they sell now days. And my budget says no to race ramps.
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