Ramps, floor jacks ??????
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,166
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From: Beautiful Grand Rapids MI
Ramps, floor jacks ??????
Being a novice mechanic and wanting to do more work on my Vette by myself...I would like some advice on the best way to get under the car. (I got hammered a little in the past for being happy that I "only" paid $400 for the Chevy dealer to replace my starter) I replaced the radiator last year without raising the Vette and still have scrapes on my neck!!! :cry
Obviously a hydraulic hoist would be the ultimate.....but in reality, which do you guys (or girls) prefer.......those drive-up ramps or a hydraulic floor jack and jack stands. Any recommendations?
Thanks........with snow on the ground and the car in storage, I won't be doing anything until probably March.......
Rick
Obviously a hydraulic hoist would be the ultimate.....but in reality, which do you guys (or girls) prefer.......those drive-up ramps or a hydraulic floor jack and jack stands. Any recommendations?
Thanks........with snow on the ground and the car in storage, I won't be doing anything until probably March.......
Rick
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,514
Likes: 1
Re: Ramps, floor jacks ?????? (rmadlem)
I have a pair of 2 1/2 ton floor jacks and 4 jackstands. The car ramps I have are to steep and to narrow for the vette. In the past there was a post with a homemade ramp set that looked solid. I just use a jack on either side, raise the front, put stands under it then do the rear. A little slow to get started on repairs but effective and solid.
Scott
Scott
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,416
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From: NC,USA
Re: Ramps, floor jacks ?????? (76 Red)
i use ramps, i dont drive the car up on them tho... jack up one side, then the other...
I also use stands under the back of the doors at the end of the frame, for extra hight... thinking about ramps on all 4 to be clear all the way back
I also use stands under the back of the doors at the end of the frame, for extra hight... thinking about ramps on all 4 to be clear all the way back
Senior Member since 1492
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Ramps, floor jacks ?????? (rmadlem)
I made these ramps outa 2x12 outdoor lumber. Otherwise I use 6ton jack stands and 3ton jack stands
Yikes! $400 to replace your starter??? :eek: Then I'm saving a fortune..I'll have to remind my wife. :lol:
[Modified by 1970 Stingray, 12:25 PM 1/11/2002]
Yikes! $400 to replace your starter??? :eek: Then I'm saving a fortune..I'll have to remind my wife. :lol:
[Modified by 1970 Stingray, 12:25 PM 1/11/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 29,077
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From: Deep East Texas
Re: Ramps, floor jacks ?????? (ZD75blue)
Kinda depends on what I'm doing and how long it'll be up in the air. I've got a floor jack and some jack stands, but for a quick check on something, I use ramps. I got some "Rhino Ramps" from Auto Zone. I don't have any clearance problems with them, when I'm driving on or off, but I have a stock air dam. I think they cost $40 or $50 dollars, but I bought them a couple of years ago, so that may be wrong.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 29,077
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From: Deep East Texas
Re: Ramps, floor jacks ?????? (1970 Stingray)
...Then I'm saving a fortune..I'll have to remind my wife. :lol:
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Instructor
Joined: May 1999
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From: Hudson NH
Re: Ramps, floor jacks ?????? (VTHokie77Vette)
I use both ramps and stands. I prefer to use the ramps when working underneath the motor. Gives me a bit more room to maneuver around, rather than having to dodge the stands.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,166
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From: Beautiful Grand Rapids MI
Re: Ramps, floor jacks ?????? (1970 Stingray)
Yikes! $400 to replace your starter??? :eek: Then I'm saving a fortune..I'll have to remind my wife. :lol:
Thanks for all of the input!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,080
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From: Exiled Tampa Bay Misfit
Re: Ramps, floor jacks ?????? (rmadlem)
Here are the threads on "poor man's lifts"
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=178594
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=186994
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=182413
and kwiklift's website.. www.kwiklift.com
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=178594
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=186994
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=182413
and kwiklift's website.. www.kwiklift.com
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,161
Likes: 0
From: Easton PA
Re: Ramps, floor jacks ?????? (rmadlem)
Jack and stands here too. If money isn't a major problem, check out http://www.kwiklift.com
There was also a thread on this before. On this thread, Binnie77, made a homemade ramp/lift out of wood. Gonna build one myself. He also give directions on how to build it. Hope this helps :seeya http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=209928
There was also a thread on this before. On this thread, Binnie77, made a homemade ramp/lift out of wood. Gonna build one myself. He also give directions on how to build it. Hope this helps :seeya http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=209928
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
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From: Wildwood IL
Re: Ramps, floor jacks ?????? (rmadlem)
As you can see, both ramps and J-stands have their usefullness. I would take into account what degree of repairs you plan to tackle, and make your initial purchase acordingly. If what you decide now is not sufficiant in the future, just GO SHOPPING!!! Good luck with your new hobby, and remember.... just hang around this forum for a while and read all you can... you won't be a novice for long. Also, the "Assembly Manual" (AIM) and Shop Manual for your car will be a great help to you. :cheers: :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,416
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From: NC,USA
Re: Ramps, floor jacks ?????? (Silvr77)
why dont you buy a set of ramps... 4 j-stands and a floor jack... with the adapter to get the trans out if you ever need it :yesnod: i have a craftsman that i got for a year ago that hasnt given me any problems (floor jack)
About the ramps... i have heard good things about the rhino ramps... but my only problem is they are plastic...
About the ramps... i have heard good things about the rhino ramps... but my only problem is they are plastic...
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 131
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Re: Ramps, floor jacks ?????? (rmadlem)
Rick,
You might end up wanting both, stands and a set of ramps.
Obviously if the car won't run, you can't use a drive up ramp system. If you need to get a tire off, ramps are out. Stands give good access, but I suppose ramps can be easier.
You don't really need a monster floor jack. A 3-ton ought to be enough (that's 6,000 lbs, almost twice what vettes weigh). The vette is the heaviest car I own, so a 3-ton floor jack was fine for me - I bought it at Sears. More vertical costs more for jacks. Oh, four stands is a good idea but 2 should be fine to start.
Good luck! And, hey, I'm in the same boat. I'm tired off putting my mechanics kids though college. :cry I'm starting to do my own work. When you do your own work, you have a much better idea what mechanical state the car is in and you can better organize your "punch list." My punch list is LONG. :)
-Rexx
You might end up wanting both, stands and a set of ramps.
Obviously if the car won't run, you can't use a drive up ramp system. If you need to get a tire off, ramps are out. Stands give good access, but I suppose ramps can be easier.
You don't really need a monster floor jack. A 3-ton ought to be enough (that's 6,000 lbs, almost twice what vettes weigh). The vette is the heaviest car I own, so a 3-ton floor jack was fine for me - I bought it at Sears. More vertical costs more for jacks. Oh, four stands is a good idea but 2 should be fine to start.
Good luck! And, hey, I'm in the same boat. I'm tired off putting my mechanics kids though college. :cry I'm starting to do my own work. When you do your own work, you have a much better idea what mechanical state the car is in and you can better organize your "punch list." My punch list is LONG. :)
-Rexx
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,166
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From: Beautiful Grand Rapids MI
Re: Ramps, floor jacks ?????? (Bills79)
Rick
I see that you are my neighbor,are you gonna get up to mackinaw city this august with that pretty car?????
I see that you are my neighbor,are you gonna get up to mackinaw city this august with that pretty car?????
Take care in Lowell
:seeya