Jack or Ramps
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 702
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From: York PA
Jack or Ramps
I've always jacked up one side of my cars to change oil. This is my first vette. Is there anything I should look out for or pay special attention to? I know this was brought up before, but what are your views. Also can the entire front end be lifted by the crossmember without doing damage? What about the rear? Thanks for the info guys and your patients
Jeremy
:cheers:
[Modified by HTRK-1, 2:10 PM 1/18/2002]
Jeremy
:cheers:
[Modified by HTRK-1, 2:10 PM 1/18/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,801
Likes: 2
From: St. Paul MN
Re: Jack or Ramps (HTRK-1)
I have a large Lincoln floor jack that I run under the front middle of the car and position the jack plate right in the middle of the support beam that you runs across between the wheels. This is a rather strong beam and I havn't noticed any problem doing it that way. Once I get the car jacked up high that way I put jack stands on both sides and lower the car onto them. Of coarse that's the way I used to do it before I got this, hahaha. You can see my floor jack handle standing up now, it doesn't get as much use anymore. Good Luck.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
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Re: Jack or Ramps (HTRK-1)
I jack it up and then slide the ramps under to change oil.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 681
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From: Newton (Wichita Area) Kansas
Re: Jack or Ramps (HTRK-1)
I would just use ramps. The black plastic Rhino brand ramps are nice and wide and have a pretty gentle rise to them. I still have to take off my front air dam pieces in front of the wheels but it works.
My garage floor is actually so slick that the ramps slide on the floor when I'm trying to drive up on them. So far I have duct taped some old shop towels to the bottom of them so that the tire will roll over the towel and keep the ramp from moving. I think eventually I'll find some used mudflaps or something to screw into the ramps for a more elegant and permanent solution but the tape n' towel method works well for now.
I also jack the front end up under the engine crossmember. I use an oak 2x4 scrap to spread the load out and prevent scratches and etc. I also have to drive the front wheels up on 2x10's to get the front end up high enough for the jack to fit under there. Had to use the tape n' towel trick on them too.
Of course there are jacking points just behind the front wheels but they look awfully small to me. I don't think they'd be useful for more than changing a tire. My car has to be on ramps before I can get to the oil drain plug anyway.
My garage floor is actually so slick that the ramps slide on the floor when I'm trying to drive up on them. So far I have duct taped some old shop towels to the bottom of them so that the tire will roll over the towel and keep the ramp from moving. I think eventually I'll find some used mudflaps or something to screw into the ramps for a more elegant and permanent solution but the tape n' towel method works well for now.
I also jack the front end up under the engine crossmember. I use an oak 2x4 scrap to spread the load out and prevent scratches and etc. I also have to drive the front wheels up on 2x10's to get the front end up high enough for the jack to fit under there. Had to use the tape n' towel trick on them too.
Of course there are jacking points just behind the front wheels but they look awfully small to me. I don't think they'd be useful for more than changing a tire. My car has to be on ramps before I can get to the oil drain plug anyway.
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 1
From: Joliet IL
Re: Jack or Ramps (jmr302)
I would just use ramps. The black plastic Rhino brand ramps are nice and wide and have a pretty gentle rise to them. I still have to take off my front air dam pieces in front of the wheels but it works.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 702
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From: York PA
Re: Jack or Ramps (maduraj)
I've never used ramps. To tell yah the truth they kinda scare me, with the slipping out and I'm always afraid of driving up to far and rolling over them. Maybe I should give the Rhino ramps a try. I saw them at my local wally-mart.
Thanks Guys
Jeremy
:cheers:
Thanks Guys
Jeremy
:cheers:
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Dunmore, Pennsylvania
Re: Jack or Ramps (HTRK-1)
I have a set of Ultra Ramps I use, they come with the piece that mounts to the bottom of the ramp to decrease the
initial angle so the spoiler does not hit. The only problem is the ramps are a little bit too narrow, the tire thread
fits fine but the sidewall sticks out a little, not a problem though. I also put a set of jack stands under once it is up
just in case. I usually have someone watch me drive up on the ramps, would not want to drive off the back.
That is one sweet lift Bob86ZZ4 has, I wish I had one of those.
initial angle so the spoiler does not hit. The only problem is the ramps are a little bit too narrow, the tire thread
fits fine but the sidewall sticks out a little, not a problem though. I also put a set of jack stands under once it is up
just in case. I usually have someone watch me drive up on the ramps, would not want to drive off the back.
That is one sweet lift Bob86ZZ4 has, I wish I had one of those.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
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From: Sachse Texas
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Re: Jack or Ramps (HTRK-1)
I just jack it up and put it on jack stands. Takes me about 5 minutes to get the car up and I feel real safe getting under it with 4 2-1/2 ton jack stands. I lift one side at a time as high as it will go from the middle under the doors (on the frame railing).
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Re: Jack or Ramps (Vette92)
I just jack up one side at a time with my 3 ton floor jack and then install the 2 3 ton jack stands. I had my car on them for 5 days straight while swapping out my rear end so I feel safe under them by now. :seeya
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: Jack or Ramps (Vette92)
I just jack it up and put it on jack stands. Takes me about 5 minutes to get the car up and I feel real safe getting under it with 4 2-1/2 ton jack stands. I lift one side at a time as high as it will go from the middle under the doors (on the frame railing).
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 702
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From: York PA
Re: Jack or Ramps (Goody)
I just jack up one side at a time with my 3 ton floor jack and then install the 2 3 ton jack stands. I had my car on them for 5 days straight while swapping out my rear end so I feel safe under them by now. :seeya
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,581
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From: Springfield VA
Re: Jack or Ramps (HTRK-1)
I use a floor jack on the jack points whenever I'm changing wheels & tires (streets to autocross and back). It takes a little care the first couple of times. You do have to make sure that you are lifting by the frame rail and that the brake lines and body panels are not in the way.