Ramps

[Supermike]

When I was a kid around the farm, we always drove the trucks up on ramps to change the oil, etc. I know it's probably not necessary, but as someone that doesn't have a jack or jack stands right now, I thought it might help when it comes to shimmying my belly up under there to drain the oil, or when I'm sliding around on a creeper.

I found these at Advance for $45... anyone have any experience with them? They get decent reviews at Amazon.com:

http://www.partsamerica.com/productdeta ... mber=11905

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ ... e=material

Do you guys use ramps? Jack stands? Nothing (aka, Gilligan)?

This may sound stupid, but I haven't changed my own oil in YEARS... back when I stopped being able to actually SEE the oil filters in my car. LOL! But now I have my bump, I want to do it. I trust no-one else!

[basketcase0302]

Mike,

I've had a set for many years, (not the same brand though).
They are a pain in my butt, yet still make life much easier.
I've never had to actually use them on the truck though.

Recommend drilling a couple of concrete "lag" anchors into wherever you'll use them.
This will stop them from sliding around on you.

Jeff

[67mann]

There a bitch when they start sliding---get past that,line'm up and there great.I have a set of metal ones(just don't trust plastic)that just sit around---replaced by HD floor jack

[Supermike]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I thought about that (the sliding). Back on the farm, of course, I actually had room to do stuff like this in the grass. No such luck where I live today, and I wondered how well these would work on my slick concrete garage floor.

We always had metal, too... but wow... I didn't realize how much metal would cost. These have pretty good reviews, and it's amazing what plastic/resin will hold these days, weight wise. Still, they aren't something I'd use EVERY day.... just occasionally.

For the record, I'm not set on ramps. A jack may be a better route so I can use it to work on brakes, wheels, and so on. I've looked at getting one of these (down the road), with some jack stands:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... word=jacks

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... word=jacks

Any thoughts on which type might be better? I can sometimes get deals on these through Craftsman Club, so think outside the price...

And would you recommend the jack over the ramps, then?

[67mann]

Would be the rolling floor jack(3ton)only because I think it easier to position,whereas the bottle jack you would crawling under the vehicle to position it. They are more expensive,but less aggrevation IMO
I bought mine at Napa and even though it was over 200---I don't think it was as much as the Sears model.And I would have to lean towards the floor jack opposed to ramps----simple because you can't work on the tire
or brakes when its on ramps.

[Supermike]

Thanks.... good points. I have to admit the air/hydrolic "cool" factor of that bottle jack intrigued me, along with the fact that I would not have to pump it, but I think the floor jack would probably be more stable than a bottle jack, especially when lifting the whole front end.

Sometimes the deals you can get through Craftsman Club are really sweet. So I would never pay the "Regular" price. But I get coupons for $50 off, and they have specials every few months. This is a down the road thing, though... I've got to get my brakes and knobs fixed first.

[19674x4]

i just lay on the ground. no ramps, no jacks. unless im changing the oil in the explorers or the jeep. then i use ramps, just becuase they are a little to low tothe ground to slide under comfortably

[Supermike]

You must have a smaller belly than me... haha!

I like having that extra bit of clearance, because anything within 5" of my head is called a magnet.

[19674x4]

haha, that and im 19 and limber.

[kaptnkaos]

You must have a smaller belly than me... haha!

I like having that extra bit of clearance, because anything within 5" of my head is called a magnet.

I'm right with ya there bro...

I lived on a farm when I first got married, that had a set of poured concrete ramps that were big enough for big trucks.
They were really nice cause you could raise the whole rig upto about 3 feet higher than ground level. There was concrete in the middle so you could sit up and work.. It was really nice...
If I ever have a place I can do that at I'm gonna...

KaptnKA S

[Supermike]

Yep... if I ever have my own shop, I'd love to dig myself a 10'(L)x3'(W)x3.5'(D) concrete pit in the shop floor with a removeable steel grate (and a steel tube half sunk on each side as a guide), so I can just remove the grate, pull in over the pit, and crawl in there for whatever it is I need to do!

[Brett6269]

Ramps is one of those must have items!! I like when on a hot day as you drive up on them they dig in to fresh asphalt on your drive way!! unless you remember to put o piece of wood under 1st..haha

[Supermike]

I decided against the ramps, mainly for space and practicality reasons (can't take off a wheel if it's on a ramp). Picked this floor jack, stands, and creeper up at Sears during Craftsman Club days last month for $80:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... +Equipment

Ironically, that's what they usually sell just the jack for by itself! So I basically got the creeper and stands for free!

[BiggDogg]

that's a nice setup from Sears. Let us know how you like it.

[72stepside]

I have some yellow ramps like these

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ ... _200339033

but they have an additional vertical (and diagonal brace) support where the "ramp" meets the platform. I would never recommend the ones in the link I posted above without the additional brace.

I've never had any luck with a creeper. They sit me up too high (belly) and move when I need to get on a wrench and pull hard.