Getting under the car
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 261
Likes: 6
From: Alva Oklahoma
Getting under the car
Okay, forgive me for being an idiot...
I just got a new to me 07 coupe and I want to use race ramps to change my oil and do whatever else.
I've never in my life used a ramp. I assume they go behind the car and you back onto them since there's zero room in the front.
The reason for all of this is that my harbor freight jack of several reliable years has had a recent failure and luckily I dropped a mower instead of my car. Given that "experience" it's made me second guess the jack.
I have jack stands, but ramps just seem quick to just set them down and back up... done
What brand do you recommend? Metal? My only experience with ramps is looking at them in someone else's garage.
I just got a new to me 07 coupe and I want to use race ramps to change my oil and do whatever else.
I've never in my life used a ramp. I assume they go behind the car and you back onto them since there's zero room in the front.
The reason for all of this is that my harbor freight jack of several reliable years has had a recent failure and luckily I dropped a mower instead of my car. Given that "experience" it's made me second guess the jack.
I have jack stands, but ramps just seem quick to just set them down and back up... done
What brand do you recommend? Metal? My only experience with ramps is looking at them in someone else's garage.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 648
Likes: 148
From: Milpitas CA
I think you are better off using a HF jack and then blocking the car. A jack is not made to support the car for long periods, but to lift the car til you could get some blocks under the tire and lower the car on the block.
The ramps would need to be pretty long and not steep in order to get it under the front tire.
The ramps would need to be pretty long and not steep in order to get it under the front tire.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
A lot of people use and like the Race Ramps XT (67", 2 piece). They are pricey but nice and safe.
Example: (also see post 6 for Vendor info)
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-awesome.html
Example: (also see post 6 for Vendor info)
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-awesome.html
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 21,631
Likes: 1,144
From: Below the bottom of Berby Hollow, NYS
You can always make ramps like these out of 2 x 12s. As I recall, the cost was around $50.
Even though I only weigh around 175, I need four thicknesses in order to get under it. You can see the single piece underneath:
Even though I only weigh around 175, I need four thicknesses in order to get under it. You can see the single piece underneath:
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 141
From: Kaukauna WI
Race Ramps are life savers. I'd pay double for them if they asked. I use the 2 piece fronts and my lowered Z06 can easily drive up the front. I use Trak Jaks in the rear so I can get a jack under the rear cross member, and I jack up the back end of the car to drain all the oil out. Easy.
Last edited by Must_Have_Z; Nov 29, 2016 at 08:10 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 55
From: Philadelphia PA
Service ramp calculator
You can use the service ramp calculator at www.ReverseLogic.us/race-ramps.html to check the car-to-ramp clearance on ten different Race Ramps models.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,093
Likes: 1,599
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Just get a new HF jack. I have had the same ones for about seven years with no issues. I would recommend getting the 2 ton jack when it goes on sale for under $100. I like the 2 ton because it is beefier and will raise the car a little higher. The smaller 1.5 ton is fine and a great buy on sale for around $50 or $60, I just like the 2 ton jack better. Race Ramps can get pricey and take up more room to store than a floor jack and you can't change a tire or brakes with RR.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
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From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Just get a new HF jack. I have had the same ones for about seven years with no issues. I would recommend getting the 2 ton jack when it goes on sale for under $100. I like the 2 ton because it is beefier and will raise the car a little higher. The smaller 1.5 ton is fine and a great buy on sale for around $50 or $60, I just like the 2 ton jack better. Race Ramps can get pricey and take up more room to store than a floor jack and you can't change a tire or brakes with RR.
Because I prefer to have lots of available room to work and using 4 jackstands in the preferred locations creates restrictions, I made these for about $10 and the friendly guy at HD sawed the 2 x 8 pieces to my specs. There is an additional part at the center so it's more that just a perimeter box. Jack up the car one side at a time and the rear both sides at once for the jackstands.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,973
Likes: 1,020
From: SOFLA
2016 Corvette of Year
2015 C6 of Year Finalist
I also have the Race Ramps and my car is extremely low. I have the extensions too.
I would not change them for anything else on the market, they are lightweight and easy to store. I have 2 hooks on the garage wall and just hang them up when I am done.
I change oil, changed exhaust, x pipe, tunnel plate, all with the ramps.
I would not change them for anything else on the market, they are lightweight and easy to store. I have 2 hooks on the garage wall and just hang them up when I am done.
I change oil, changed exhaust, x pipe, tunnel plate, all with the ramps.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 261
Likes: 6
From: Alva Oklahoma
I may have to invest in those two piece ramps. I have a huge Harbor freight jack and some "good" jack stands from there too.
I don't have a lot of experience with lifting cars. I've always owned trucks and those jack stands are just so small... I just can't bring myself to crawl under a car with just that little metal flip thing keeping me alive.
I guess I'd feel safer with jack stands than paying someone $80 to change my oil though.
I don't have a lot of experience with lifting cars. I've always owned trucks and those jack stands are just so small... I just can't bring myself to crawl under a car with just that little metal flip thing keeping me alive.
I guess I'd feel safer with jack stands than paying someone $80 to change my oil though.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 261
Likes: 6
From: Alva Oklahoma
I figured that was the case. I'm sure it'd be fine for an oil change, but it's just not worth trusting my cheap harbor freight jack with.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 5,463
Likes: 1,138
From: Chino CA
Not even for an oil change. When a jack fails, it can happen really fast and with no warning. Never use a jack for anything longer than lifting the car to put a jack stand under it. Worst thing that can happen is the car comes down hard on one tire.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 261
Likes: 6
From: Alva Oklahoma
Or my face. I just don't quite feel comfortable getting under the car quite yet.
The jack stands have the little metal "flip up" thing on the side that releases it. My biggest fear is to hit that with an elbow or knee while messing around under there.
Has anyone tested these to see how easily they release while under weight?
Again, sorry for the ignorance. As I stated earlier, I've only owned trucks and lifting them up wasn't ever needed.
The jack stands have the little metal "flip up" thing on the side that releases it. My biggest fear is to hit that with an elbow or knee while messing around under there.
Has anyone tested these to see how easily they release while under weight?
Again, sorry for the ignorance. As I stated earlier, I've only owned trucks and lifting them up wasn't ever needed.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 108
From: Arlington Texas
The problem with a lot of ramps is they have a tendency to slide forward on a concrete surfaces. I use 5 ton jack stands and a floor jack. I leave the floor jack in place as an additional bit of safety. I never get under the car without some kind of jack stand in place.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,821
Likes: 204
From: Lincoln CA
While the jack stand is under load the "little flip up thing" can't be operated no matter what you accidentally hit it with. The weight of the car locks them. NEVER get under a car without jack stands in place. A floor jack can fail and you are dead as a result. Jack stands are too cheap not to have. I've got three sets. Floor jacks from HF are great. Get the low profile model. Mine is a 3 ton that I bought on sale for $79. They have a 2 ton long reach low profile that might be great for lifting the front of your Vette. I also have a full sized 3 ton floor jack (big yellow monster) and I wouldn't trust my life to either one. When I was a stupid kid I would use concrete blocks to block my cars up. Jack them up with the factory bumper jack and stick he blocks under the wheels, but a good piece of steel stand is the very best insurance.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 28
From: Burkburnett TX
Or my face. I just don't quite feel comfortable getting under the car quite yet.
The jack stands have the little metal "flip up" thing on the side that releases it. My biggest fear is to hit that with an elbow or knee while messing around under there.
Has anyone tested these to see how easily they release while under weight?
Again, sorry for the ignorance. As I stated earlier, I've only owned trucks and lifting them up wasn't ever needed.
The jack stands have the little metal "flip up" thing on the side that releases it. My biggest fear is to hit that with an elbow or knee while messing around under there.
Has anyone tested these to see how easily they release while under weight?
Again, sorry for the ignorance. As I stated earlier, I've only owned trucks and lifting them up wasn't ever needed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,821
Likes: 204
From: Lincoln CA
The problem with a lot of ramps is they have a tendency to slide forward on a concrete surfaces. I use 5 ton jack stands and a floor jack. I leave the floor jack in place as an additional bit of safety. I never get under the car without some kind of jack stand in place.
CF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2016
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From: Pittsburgh
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I 2nd the opinion that NEVER get under a car without jack stands in place or race ramps, especially using a harbor freight jack 