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hi i own a 73 c3 convertible, my question is can i drive my car up on a set of car ramps, i am a bit worried about causing damage to the chassis and possibly folding, is this something i should be concered with or are the chassis that strong i shouldnt be concerned... many thanks .. alan
I can not answer this question due to there are numerous type of ramps that are at different angels and made differently. So..without photos...it is pointless.
The type of ramps that are readily available I would not even try to drive Corvette up on. If anything...like I did....I made my own out of 2X8's and made the angle of the ramp much more 'drive on ' friendly.
thanks for your reply, the question was broad in the sense of can i use ramps on a convertible c3, i am yet to purchase ramps, im just concered i might cause damage to the chassis...
Al
I would say yes you can drive a convertible on the ramps
the c-3s all have the same frame coupe and convertible
these frames are very solid if the frame is not rusted through
I dont speak for anyone else, i wont say what anyone should or shouldnt do,
I have owned many corvettes over 35 years and driven them on many types of car parts store ramps, and yes most of my cars are convertibles, never any issues,
If i had even the vauge idea my car would fold ( the frame bend ) from just driving on a ramp i wouldnt own corvettes and would seek a stronger better made vehical, are there cars made that will bend if driven on a ramp, i sure dont want one,
Perhaps there are corvettes with rotted frames so bad that driving on a ramp might cause issues but a car like that wouldnt be safe to drive anyway,
My wide body 81 had too low a front spoiler for some not all car parts store ramps,
Same with my custom fiero and kit cars ive owned,
So some cars ive owned like less steep ramps but not from weak frames,
If you fear damage to your car using ramps then thats easy, dont use ramps,
thanks for your reply, the question was broad in the sense of can i use ramps on a convertible c3, i am yet to purchase ramps, im just concered i might cause damage to the chassis...
Al
You might find that if you go out and buy some...depending on how steep the climb is on the ramp for your car to get up...which IS much greater than any hill you will ever climb....that the ramps might move on you. ***EDIT*** Some entrance ways into businesses off of a flat street can be much like these ramps. I know in Charlotte there are some area that will eat the front end of your car up. I should have written that...but I assumed we all know we do not drive on roads like this every day. *** END EDIT***
I believe that we all have seen some of those 'cheesy' ramps that you can barely drive up on that can slide across your floor when trying to drive up on them due to the severe angle the car has to climb up....and I know this because I have seen it at people houses when I stop buy for whatever reason I was called. Similar to the photo below.
You might find that if you go out and buy some...depending on how steep the climb is on the ramp for your car to get up...which IS much greater than any hill you will ever climb....that the ramps might move on oyu.
I believe that we all have seen some of those 'cheesy' ramps that you can barely drive up on that can slide across your floor when trying to drive up on them due to the severe angle the car has to climb up....and I know this because I have seen it at people houses when I stop buy for whatever reason I was called. Similar to the photo below.
DUB
Those ramps are good only for jacking the car up with a floor jack high enough for you to slip the horizontal part under the raised tires....
Ramps are steeper than "any"hill i might drive up...
You guys have obviously never went to the lee rd toxic hell ( taco bell ) drive thru,
Or toys r us in altamonte, or.....
I've used a homemade set (2x8's) for 43 years now on my '72 convertible and never had any problems. I suggest you "make your own" so you can custom configure them to the angle you need to clear your vehicle.
Duane
You might find that if you go out and buy some...depending on how steep the climb is on the ramp for your car to get up...which IS much greater than any hill you will ever climb....that the ramps might move on oyu.
I believe that we all have seen some of those 'cheesy' ramps that you can barely drive up on that can slide across your floor when trying to drive up on them due to the severe angle the car has to climb up....and I know this because I have seen it at people houses when I stop buy for whatever reason I was called. Similar to the photo below.
DUB
I have a set of those that I never use anymore because of the sliding issue and that my Vette won't drive on them without help to get the front end high enough without hitting. I never had my Vette on them but my Ranger, Fiero and my wifes Probe all went on them without much problems. I kept them from sliding with two 4x4's between the wall and the ramps. It worked. With the Fiero I had to put some 2x6's in front of the ramps and drive onto the 2x6's to keep the front spoiler from hitting. I can't even remember where they are now.
I've used a homemade set (2x8's) for 43 years now on my '72 convertible and never had any problems. I suggest you "make your own" so you can custom configure them to the angle you need to clear your vehicle.
Duane
DUB's ramps are a great way to get in cost effectively.
I originally used the wooden ramps, The weight was a downside for me as I got older.. hate when that happens. I used 2X10's as my 85 has 335 rear tires.
I made another set with spacers of 4X4's between the layers - which helped reduce the weight. Again they worked well.
I still have them and they work well.
I was at a friends house and his wife, a car girl, got him a set of the
Race Ramps one x-mass. I fell in love with the light weight.
Like others have suggested, I too have used a variety of automotive ramps over the years, including a set like these...
The only times I used them on Corvettes however I jacked the car up and slid them under the tires. I also found that with other vehicles these would slide on most surfaces except the roughest concrete or asphalt. On some vehicles with lower clearance I have used some 2 feet lengths of 2X8 to get the front of the car to clear the ramp before the tire reaches the incline.
I picked up a set of Race Ramps a few years back and have found them compatible with all of my vehicles, Corvettes included. The biggest advantage is that they don't slide on most surfaces and are extremely light weight. Also if you pay attention, some of the vendors here will offer a good discount on them from time to time throughout the year. Even Race Ramps themselves offers a discounted price at least once a year.
Ramps are steeper than "any"hill i might drive up...
You guys have obviously never went to the lee rd toxic hell ( taco bell ) drive thru,
Or toys r us in altamonte, or.....
Speaking of Taco Bell, their employees now are getting an amazing Discount. Looks like a Corvette group buy from Taco bell. They have to fix the drive through now.
Speaking of Taco Bell, their employees now are getting an amazing Discount. Looks like a Corvette group buy from Taco bell. They have to fix the drive through now.
Weird, as how many toxic hell workers make enough to pay bills and afford a c7?
Actually the location i spoke of stopped being a toxic hell about 20 years ago and was all kinds of other drive through food,
The exit/enter drive was never fixed and has all kinds of deep grooves cut in it from cars,
My 81 widebody simply could not drive in or out,
I was just basically funning around as there are lots of drives out there as steep as car ramps,
I think i spent too much time around good ol redneck gear heads in the early 90s, who made things happen,
If a ramp tried to slip they just tossed an old piece of carpet under it...no more slip.
corvette c3 convertible
...IF THAT!
