Ramps? Good idea or not?

[norma]

Most of you guys probably use jackstands like I do but they're a pain sometimes. I have trouble (even with wooden blocks) to get them up high enough to work comfortably and I'm always aware of the danger. Anybody ever looked into those ramps I see sometimes? They would be a lot easier. Too expensive? Where's a good source for them?

[Mike_B]

I can get the car much higher with jack stands than with ramps. Although I do like ramps for final tightening of suspension pieces so I can eliminate pre-load.

Do you have a link or photo's of the one's you are interested in?

[norma]

No, I'd like some suggestions for suppliers for them. I'm more interested to know if they're worth it or not. Thanks.

[ifayeoh]

I use a set of the black rhino ramps from the local autozone store, they work fine. under $50 if i recall.

[jprocket]

No, I'd like some suggestions for suppliers for them. I'm more interested to know if they're worth it or not. Thanks.

I've seen these:

http://www.ogracing.com/catalog/4-Garage/272-Race-Ramps

I think they are over priced. I use the everyday ramps because I cant get a floor jack under my car. Once I have the car on ramps, I can then lift it higher if needed.

[Guest Anonymous]

I have had a set of ramps from raceramps.com for about two years and use them regularly for raising both the '02 and the E46 enough for changing lubricants. They make the whole process much more convenient, and safer. Granted the car is not level for complete oil draining, but I like these ramps a lot and would buy them again.

__________________________

Roger

'72 Malaga

RBenson685@aol.com

[02for2]

I have used ramps, but find that jackstands are easier and safer!

You can also raise the car much higher on stands.

Ramps are OK for front end, but not so much for the rear.

There are good ramps and cheap ramps. I've seen cheap ramps (often sourced from China) actually deform.

I found that most of what I was raising the car for required ramps anyway, so I gave mine away years ago and haven't missed them a bit.

If using stands, you have to have the whole package - a quality jack which is easy to use. I have also modified the saddle on the stands by having a flat piece welded to the top w/ a center hole. To this I took 4 Hockey Pucks and center-drilled countersunk holes in them so I could bolt them to the top plates of the stands. This way, there's no fiddling w/ 2x4 bits. It cost me $20 to do the mod.

Cheers!

[Modifier]

I've had a set of Rhino ramps for years and love them. Unlike the metal style, they are mostly flat on top so that a wide tire fits nicely. My buddy uses 2 sets of Rhino ramps at the same time - 1 for the front and 1 for the rear. Drives up all 4 tires onto them so that his vehicle sits level and "all the oil drains out"

[BarryA]

stepfather when he quit working on cars - use 'em all the time for basic maintenance jobs. It's far faster and easier to run the front wheels up on the ramps to do oil & filter and belt changes (and other minor jobs) than to run the front wheels up on a board to raise the car far enough to get a jack under it, then jack it up, place jack stands, and remove the jack.

My driveway slopes down toward the street, so if the front of the car is pointed downhill, it winds up level on the ramps (and yes, I always leave it in gear and block the rear wheels as well).

[CharlieG]

If you don't have an airdam or a heavily lowered car, Rhino Ramps are great. They're like 40-50 bucks at wallyworld.

-Charlie

[bmw_jeff]

I love my ramps for quick jobs and feel much safer than putting it up on stands. If you have a low profile car (like my M3 or a lowered 2002), get the ramps with extensions. Mine are from Griot's Garage and are very well made for about $80 as I recall.

[thehackmechanic]

I have a whole variety of lifting and jacking solutions, including three floor jacks (the biggest of which is a long-reach low-rise jack), and a mid-rise scissors lift. And, with all that, there are times when the best, fastest thing is to drive the front wheels up onto the Rhino Ramps. They work just fine for things like oil changes. Obviously to do the brakes you have to pull the wheels off, and for that you need a floor jack and stands.

[roadhog0]

I bought a set of steel ones from a neighbor got $10 bucks. They come in handy for quick stuff! There even strong enough to hold up the 3/4ton Chevy pickup!

[TobyB]

Funny. I find ramps scary, and much prefer a jack and a pair of stands.

We're all different...

t