Jack stands or Ramp?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,786
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL
Jack stands or Ramp?
Which one and which company do you all recommend? I am new at working on cars and I plan on doing as much work on my 'vette as possible. First is the coolant flush, but before I do that, I need to decide which to get? Which works best, is easy to use, is cheap, etc.
Thanks,
marthpodi
Thanks,
marthpodi
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,388
Likes: 1
From: X
Re: Jack stands or Ramp? (marthpodi)
You are better off with Rhino Ramps...with stands you will need to buy a floor jack also. They run about 50 bucks, but do a search here I think someone said last week they were going for 29 someplace. Juslt looked (Walmart)
[Modified by JonM, 12:17 PM 5/25/2002]
[Modified by JonM, 12:17 PM 5/25/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 0
From: walled lake MI
Re: Jack stands or Ramp? (marthpodi)
if you get a floor jack, just keep in mind most jacks will be too tall to fit under your corvette. there is a jack out in the market which does fit and is of great quality, (can't remember the name) but it is expensive. also, don't do what i did and forget to check the full lift height of the jack. mine was about an inch or two short for me to set the front jacking points on the jack stands i also bought.
i now plan to get a bigger jack, and use my rhino ramps first to get enough initial clearance for my jack. the clearance under the car with just rhino ramps is a bit tight to work under the car.
:cheers:
i now plan to get a bigger jack, and use my rhino ramps first to get enough initial clearance for my jack. the clearance under the car with just rhino ramps is a bit tight to work under the car.
:cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: I live in my own little world
NC Events Coordinator
Re: Jack stands or Ramp? (marthpodi)
But the rhino ramps will work enough for simple stuff like changing oil, fraining coolant, etc...right?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 0
From: walled lake MI
Re: Jack stands or Ramp? (Alchemist)
But the rhino ramps will work enough for simple stuff like changing oil, fraining coolant, etc...right?
Oh yea...no problem. In fact...i don't jack up either vette OR use ramps to change the oil. 'Course...it IS quite a reach...but it can be done.
Oh yea...no problem. In fact...i don't jack up either vette OR use ramps to change the oil. 'Course...it IS quite a reach...but it can be done.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,763
Likes: 1
From: Connectivette
Re: Jack stands or Ramp? (tempest)
damn, you must have really long hands.
Long hands................................... ......long gloves :rolleyes:
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 512
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From: Orlando, FL
Re: Jack stands or Ramp? (tempest)
if you get a floor jack, just keep in mind most jacks will be too tall to fit under your corvette. there is a jack out in the market which does fit and is of great quality, (can't remember the name) but it is expensive.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 1
From: traveling nowhere fast, FL
Re: Jack stands or Ramp? (marthpodi)
I don't know how you'll get all the coolant out of the car when it is up on ramps, unless you are going to pull the block drains. There is no need to lift the car to drain the radiator as you can reach in to the radiator drain from the passenger side wheel well.
I never lift the car for oil changes either. You can reach right in there and get the drain plug and filter, easy.
I never lift the car for oil changes either. You can reach right in there and get the drain plug and filter, easy.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 614
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From: MiddlecountryUSA, NE
Re: Jack stands or Ramp? (marthpodi)
I just picked up the Rhino Ramps from WAl-Mart - will use them to flush/refill coolant tommorow and see how they work.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 14
From: Vacaville, CA
Re: Jack stands or Ramp? (marthpodi)
I have both the ABS Rhino ramps and the floor jack & jack stands. The Rhino Ramps will drag on the lower spoiler and will require some lead in blocks of wood; (2 x 8's). I prefer the floor jack. You can lift the entire front end of the car up in the air by rolling the floor jack directly under the front, center part of the car. Make sure that the pad is under the cross-under beam/frame. (I remove the jack pad to prevent scratching the frame and lowers jacks overall height about 1"). You can raise the vehicle over two feet off the ground this way. I then place the jack stands back behind the front wheels at the aft part of the 45 degree frame braces. I have tried the 2-ton jack stands, but really like the 3-ton stands a lot better. Much more stable. (Try SAM's club for the floor jack and stands. They have some heavy duty stuff at a reasonable price).
Best of luck! :)
[Modified by BlackRocket, 5:59 AM 5/27/2002]
Best of luck! :)
[Modified by BlackRocket, 5:59 AM 5/27/2002]
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
Re: Jack stands or Ramp?
I have both ramps and jacks; and jacks are the hands down better choice. The ramps put too much stress on the car and me going up and down when they slide unexpectedly. I won't even use these for my Impala anymore!
Get a pair of 3 ton hydraulic jacks. Craftsman are very low profile that fit easily under the car and i put on old hockey puck inthe dish to protect the underside of the car.
Always lift the car with both jacks AT THE SAME TIME. Windshields are too expensive on these cars to risk twisting the car. I either lift a whole of the car ( driver or pass side) or whole end ( front or back ) at a time.
Four 3 ton stands support the car nicely when its up in the air. Also put your tires ( if removed) or some concrete block under there as a safety net. These cars are too low to work under without extra safty percautions. One mistake and your history.
Not the cheapest solution but by far the safest! :D
L8R, JIM.
Get a pair of 3 ton hydraulic jacks. Craftsman are very low profile that fit easily under the car and i put on old hockey puck inthe dish to protect the underside of the car.
Always lift the car with both jacks AT THE SAME TIME. Windshields are too expensive on these cars to risk twisting the car. I either lift a whole of the car ( driver or pass side) or whole end ( front or back ) at a time.
Four 3 ton stands support the car nicely when its up in the air. Also put your tires ( if removed) or some concrete block under there as a safety net. These cars are too low to work under without extra safty percautions. One mistake and your history.
Not the cheapest solution but by far the safest! :D
L8R, JIM.
