drive-up ramps?

aways · 08-24-2004, 10:05 PM

I have Wayne's book on 101 projects for your Porsche 911.
In the first chapter it talks about various ways to jack up
the car to perform various services, e.g. oil changes, etc.
Ther is no mention of using drive up ramps to gain access
under the car. Is there a reason for this omission? Are
drive up ramps not considered safe? Just curious...

Emission · Emission's Garage

You'd have to back up them... a bit more dangerous and difficult.

I have jacked my car up and dropped it down on ramps. Much more stable than jacks when you are planning on having your car up for some time. Unfortunately, most of the time I need my wheels off for something or other... so I am back on jack stands again.

anthony · 08-24-2004, 11:00 PM

I've been using ramps for 20+ years. I like the plastic Rhino ramps now. They are so much nicer than my old steel ramps.

Emission · Emission's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by anthony
I've been using ramps for 20+ years. I like the plastic Rhino ramps now. They are so much nicer than my old steel ramps.

I use the Rhino Ramps too. Very stable and low enough for Porsche duty.

look 171 · 08-25-2004, 12:37 AM

Hey Emission. It's Jeff the guy with the 930 cab. where do you get these plastic ramps. Are they strong. only seen em' once. Hows smog coming, good news?

89911 · 08-25-2004, 04:03 AM

Unless these ramps are 2 feet high, I doubt anyone other then Emo Philips will be able to work under your car. Room to work is much easier on yourself. I made four sets of ramps out of 2x8's and then angled the edges. I roll on to these to get the jack under my low car. When I'm done, I lower back down on these and roll off.

JackT · 08-25-2004, 04:16 AM

Rhino Ramps are sold at Wal Mart. I weigh 175 lbs and can get under my car when the ramps are in the front of the car. I can drive my car up Rhino Ramps but the front chin spoiler does hit the ramps.

Emission · Emission's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by look 171
Hey Emission. It's Jeff the guy with the 930 cab. where do you get these plastic ramps. Are they strong. only seen em' once. Hows smog coming, good news?

Hey... how's is going?

They are very, very strong. Additional benefit - they are plastic and won't ever rust or make horrible scraping sounds on the driveway. They are also pretty light and you can hang them on the wall.

(I paid the registration fees... but never did smog the car. I've been so busy the 930 is just sitting under a cover on a trickle charger in the garage until I can "deal" with it again. Bums me out to think about it.)

GettinHeadStuds · 08-25-2004, 06:33 AM

Sorry to hear that Emission...

As for the ramps... Rhino ramps ARE very good. Composite plastic with a a very strong design. I got mine on sale at Kragen for $15. Good luck.

Zeke · 08-25-2004, 08:10 AM

Ramps are hard on your clutch. But, if you have a driveway that gently slopes, they are a way to work on the car fairly safe as opposed to stands which should never be place on any incline. If you thoroughly chock the wheels on the ground end and set the brake firm, you can be safe.

Ramps are an alternative to stands if you have to get at a part where the stand is in the way, which seems to happen often enough, especcialy in the front. I like the idea of raising the car and dropping it on the ramps. But, remember that the suspension wants to spread as it settles and that can want to tip the ramps over sideways.

Be very carefull in all car raising, take nothing for granted and ask your self, "Would I put my kid under there?" Think it through.

look 171 · 08-26-2004, 04:03 PM

Emission, sorry that the 930's just sitting. Don't let it rest for too long, gotta get you out there again. Man I,m so pissed that you did 150+ on that long straight. Too bad I had the worn tires. Kept thinking I shoulda gone w/ you. It's probley better and safer this way. Next time. Good luckwith it. Jeff

Emission · Emission's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by look 171
Emission, sorry that the 930's just sitting. Don't let it rest for too long, gotta get you out there again. Man I,m so pissed that you did 150+ on that long straight. Too bad I had the worn tires. Kept thinking I shoulda gone w/ you. It's probley better and safer this way. Next time. Good luckwith it. Jeff

Jeff,

Even when I'm "not driving it" I still find time to run it for 30 minutes every week or two to keep everything (fuel, brake lines, oil, etc...) happy. Better safe than sorry - they'll be plenty of days to run 150+ of you live to 85!

- Mike

P.S. - The only drawback to the Rhino Ramps has been their height. It would be really nice if the sold a set of "Super Rhino Ramps" that were another 5" taller! Sure, they'd be a bit longer, but I'd gladly put up with that.

P.S.S. - If the ramp incline is too much, put some boards down before the ramp (don't put the boards under the ramp) and that will give you another 1" or so of clearance as you'll drive up on them before you hit the incline.

RSBob · RSBob's Garage

I use my ramps for oil changes, minor suspension tweaks, etc. They give you sufficient access on a crawler and a good measure of security.

Emission · Emission's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by RSBob
"...and a good measure of security."

That's the important part. I personally know guys who have been killed working under cars with jack stands - I don't know anyone who has been hurt with ramps.

anthony · 08-26-2004, 06:08 PM

Even with ramps or jack stands I always double secure the car with my big ass floor jack.

fstar · 08-26-2004, 08:18 PM

"Ramps are hard on your clutch"

Now thats a good one!!

dpriebe · 08-26-2004, 10:15 PM

Take a look at these wooden ramps made out of 2x12s: http://www.mustangworld.com/ourpics/News/mwramps/

I built a set for working on my Audis, and luckily haven't needed to use them for my Porsche (yet). I am much happier using these than the Rhino or stamped metal ramps. They work great especially on very smooth garage flooring where my other ramps would slide as I would try to drive up.

aways · 08-26-2004, 10:51 PM

Thanks for all the input. Ramps seem like a good investment.

DG624 · 08-27-2004, 05:39 AM

I used to have some ramps but I sold them. They were good once you had the car on them but they were difficult to use. They were light and slid if they were not secured at the front. They also tend to be very narrow when you are trying to hit them just right. Linning them up and then making sure you don't over drive them. I always wanted ramps that were flat until you jacked them up. Then there would be little chance of over driving or moving the ramps and they could be adjustable. The wooden ramps look great until you try to use them. There is no side edge or end stop.

Has anyone ever seen ramps that are adjustable...allow you to drive up and then raise the car?

anthony · 08-27-2004, 06:02 AM

I've never had a problem with ramps sliding or "missing the ramps". The technique I use is to position the car first and then wedge the ramps in place between the ground and tire.

Rhino ramps seem to have enough surface area on the bottom to not slide on my smooth garage floor. There are other cheaper ramps made of harder plastic to be found at the FLAPS so I'd recommend passing on them.

I'm always extra careful and paranoid when driving up them and have never had a problem. Rhino Ramps are actually much easier to drive up compared to my old steel ramps because they are less steep and longer.