Okay, I've read a lot of "how to's" in this forum on raising the car for something as simple as oil changes - everything from ramps to pucks to stands to low-profile lifts...you name it. So I just got this idea and I'm open to your thoughts.

I just got my C5 a few months ago so I am minimally invested at this point. Instead of buying ramps or making ramps, buying a low profile hydraulic lift (I already have a heavy duty lift but it's a little tall for getting all the way under the car) etc. I'm thinking the following solution might be cheaper (and faster) in the long run.

1. Two heavy duty hydraulic jacks. I already have one, so buying another for $80 to $100 is no big deal.
2. 4 Jack stands (don't have any yet so I need to get them anyway)
3. 4 Hockey pucks ($69 from Eckler's, or maybe I'll just make the homemade versions)
4. A couple pieces of 2x4x18 wood planks

That's it! I figure I can use the hydraulic jacks to first lift the back of the car (one on each side, using pucks in the jacking points, lifting at the same time) when high enough I put the jack stands in the GM approved points at the crossmember with the wood plank between the stands and crossmember.

Repeat on front of car by lifting the whole front with two jacks at the jacking points, place jack stands under front crossmember.

No ramps. My only investment is one more jack, 4 jack stands and 4 pucks. (come to think of it I only need 2 pucks to do the job)

Anyone have thoughts on this? I'm sure the lifts can handle the weight. Would just need someone on the other side to make it smooth (or I go back and forth inching it up a little at a time.

 

I just drive the front up on 2 X 4's and use a hydraulic jack on both the front and back. No problem.

 

this is much easier....

 

If you need to buy another jack to accomplish this, why not just buy a low profile one? Then just jack from the crossmembers and put the jackstands under the crossmembers or the frame rails. Lot easier to jack a car up with 1 jack than with 2.

Dope

 

You can get a nice low profile aluminum racing jack at Harbor Freight at a VERY reasonable price. Lots of folks knock them,,but I have been using 2 of them for many years(about 8 or 9) for cars trucks and other stuff,,and the have held up well!! Save a lot of wasted time/effort!!

 

You have a certain way to make a very simple job complicated!

 

DarkBlue,
If you are going to jack the car as you propose, jack the front first, then the rear. Many a corvette owner have had the car roll out from under them by jacking the rear first, even if the front tires were chocked.

 

I thought this thread was about stealing C5s

OP - sounds like you have done some research into this...I would still look for an easier way than the two jacks. Good luck

 

I personally don't like climbing under the car with jack stands-

Ramps for the front, stands in the back

 

I though this thread was for "lifting" a Vette:






Silly me....

 

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...iscpics063.jpg






Id like to have one of those. can you send me info of where I can?

 

Ramps can fail too, nothing is absolutely safe. Double-up on safety items for redundancy

Dope

 

Someday!!!!

 

This Race Ramps solution is safe:

 

Not really (though, nice plug). What happens if the (presumably plastic) ramps/stands break? I would still put jackstands under the frame or crossmember for that picture - even if they're not supporting the vehicle but just touching as a redundant safety measure.

Not a product bash but just a simple safety measure. Nothing is unbreakable or infallible - especially the human body when a 3000lb+ car lands on it. Be safe!

Dope

 

I am assuming you are not familiar with the construction of Race Ramps?

All Race Ramps products are manufactured from our patented 100% solid block construction, which utilizes a high-density industrial expanded polystyrene that allows our products to support a 6000 lb. vehicle with ease. In other words - the solid block construction doesn't collapse like plastic ramps. Race Ramps are then coated with a hybrid polyurea to make them durable and non-slip. Even on epoxy coated floors.

Very strong and stabile. Yet incredibly lightweight and easy to handle.

We have never learned of any safety problems with Race Ramps.

Anyone out there ever have a problem with Race Ramps fully supporting the weight of their vehicle in a very secure manner?

 

Okay, I can see that you didn't actually read my post and just want to promote your product. Like I said, I'm not trying to talk badly about anyone's products, only promote safety. Yes, your product description sounds fancy but at the end of the day they are simply plastic blocks with a nice durable coating on them. I'm sure they're very nice. Not that it matters, I have seen VERY heavy duty steel jackstands (6+ton rating, 20lb+ of steel) fail too. I'm sure no one has died supporting a vehicle with your ramps. That's not the point.

Like I said, again, nothing is unbreakable, I recommend to everyone to always have redundant safety measures in place. Use ramps + jackstands, or dual sets of jackstands per point, or jackstands + jack, or hell, even throw the wheels+tires under the car (assuming you took them off) in case it falls - might just give you enough room to get out alive. It's not so much the chances, it's what's at stake - your life.

I guess I'm **** about safety, I'm one end of spectrum. I spend many many hours a week under a supported car and I'd like to continue to do so without being flattened. The other end of the spectrum are people who jack up the car with a standard floor jack and consider that good enough. Someday it's going to catch up to you.

Dope

 

are these people still in business?? i tried doing a net search for "double2park" and variations (in word spacing) but keep coming up empty. tired to read the phone number on the lift, but couldn't do that either, lol.

any help you could provide would be appreciated. what is your total ceiling height??

 

I did read your post thoroughly before responding. I understand you prefer to implement redundant safety measures, and I do understand the context of your post.

What I was responding to was your statement “What happens if the (presumably plastic) ramps/stands break?” I strongly feel that the forum members need to completely understand the distinction of Race Ramps and traditional ramps made of plastic. Race Ramps, due their construction, have different behavior characteristics, and are much safer. That is the point I am trying to make.

Yes, we do promote Race Ramps as a solution for forum members.

 

Great feedback, the Race Ramps look nice. Which size ramp is appropriate for stock height C5? Just want to get under there to change oil, etc. Also is it common when using ramps like this for the air dam to scrape (I'm assuming that it may but it's not a big deal, right?)

Thanks all.