Ramps for subcompact

[MossRoad]

Worked out fine loading and unloading. No clearance issues. I do wonder if a backhoe would drag. Plan to add that later.

Very nice. :thumbsup:

 

[MossRoad]

My wife and I have new Mustangs we got and I was thinking about ramps for oil changes because they're very low ground clearance. Those may work for them.
If you have scrap posts around like 6x6s for those ramps something in the middle you could put under when using them would really add strength.

For vehicle maintenance, I made simple ramps out of 2x12s.

I bought two pressure treated 14' 2x12's.
I cut each one into a 5', 4', 3', and 2' piece.

I lay the 5' down, the 4 on top of that, the 3 and then the 2, keeping one end flush and screwing them down to the one below as I go.

That gives you two 6" high ramps with only 1.5" steps that are each a foot long to drive up. Works great and very, very safe. Can't collapse. I've had them for well over 25 years. They live behind my garage.

 

[4570Man]

For vehicle maintenance, I made simple ramps out of 2x12s.

I bought two pressure treated 14' 2x12's.
I cut each one into a 5', 4', 3', and 2' piece.

I lay the 5' down, the 4 on top of that, the 3 and then the 2, keeping one end flush and screwing them down to the one below as I go.

That gives you two 6" high ramps with only 1.5" steps that are each a foot long to drive up. Works great and very, very safe. Can't collapse. I've had them for well over 25 years. They live behind my garage.

I need to build some good ramps but I’ve never got around to doing that. I don’t trust the dinky store bought ones. I usually jack mine up or lift with a forklift and set it on 6x6 blocks. I could fit under my truck if I really wanted to be it’s a lot easier 6” higher.

 

[MossRoad]

I need to build some good ramps but I’ve never got around to doing that. I don’t trust the dinky store bought ones. I usually jack mine up or lift with a forklift and set it on 6x6 blocks. I could fit under my truck if I really wanted to be it’s a lot easier 6” higher.

Honest to goodness, when I was 17, I could lay on my back, slide under my 70 Nova, remove the driveshaft and crossmember, disconnect the clutch and shift linkage, unbolt the transmission from the bell housing, drop the tranny on my chest, then roll it off next to me and slide out in about 30-45 minutes. No ramps! Man, I was skinny! :laughing:

 

[MossRoad]

Nowadays, my 93 suburban, I can slide under, but don't like to. The wood ramps I built are perfect. Gets the truck up just the right distance that I can lay on a sheet of cardboard box, slide under, and do about anything I need to. I changed the brake lines and exhaust quite easily this way. Would I like to have a lift? Sure. But this works well. :thumbsup:

 

[Diggin It]

I like the idea, but I'm not sure a 6" lift would give me enough room. I have a set of stamped metal ramps I bought back in the 80s sometime. Not concerned about their strength, but they tend to scoot while trying to drive up on them. I have to find ways to anchor them from sliding forward.

Also have a very, very old set of jack stands made from an axle with bell housings from some old vehicle.

 

[Diggin It]

when I was 17, I could lay on my back, slide under my 70 Nova,

:: Thread Morph ::

WHY are those so expensive today? I looked for one not too many years ago and the prices were insane. I mean, we're not talking Chevelle SS insane, but still ...

Here's one that's basically stock, but very clean at a stupid $10K:
197 Chevrolet Nova Coupe | eBay

Another that's nothing special other than the low mileage for a nutball $6600: 1971 Chevrolet Nova | eBay

I see several others that are modified for show that are over $20K.

 

[Diggin It]

Then there's this idiocy:

One owner, all original for the low, low, low price of 35 frigging thousand smackers (which IS Chevelle SS insane):

197 Chevrolet Nova 2dr all original one owner | eBay

 

[Fuddy1952]

For vehicle maintenance, I made simple ramps out of 2x12s.

I bought two pressure treated 14' 2x12's.
I cut each one into a 5', 4', 3', and 2' piece.

I lay the 5' down, the 4 on top of that, the 3 and then the 2, keeping one end flush and screwing them down to the one below as I go.

That gives you two 6" high ramps with only 1.5" steps that are each a foot long to drive up. Works great and very, very safe. Can't collapse. I've had them for well over 25 years. They live behind my garage.

Good idea, strong and safe but I need to raise car at least a foot. I'm thinking those ramps would work with several 6x6 posts sideways, end and middle.

 

[4570Man]

I like the idea, but I'm not sure a 6" lift would give me enough room. I have a set of stamped metal ramps I bought back in the 80s sometime. Not concerned about their strength, but they tend to scoot while trying to drive up on them. I have to find ways to anchor them from sliding forward.

Also have a very, very old set of jack stands made from an axle with bell housings from some old vehicle.

I had the same problem with them scooting. I think the problem could be fixed by screwing a piece of plywood to the front that’s thin enough to drive on without scooting, but I usually just jack the vehicle up and set it on blocks.