74FLCONV

Searched high/low for suitable car ramps. Found nothing at WalMart, PepBoys, NAPA, etc...

So...followed the plans listed previously by Mike Mercury. ( http://mikemercury.home.att.net/ramp.htm ) Turned out pretty good for a half-arsed carpenter like myself. I made a few modifications (metal-strapped the side pieces together, used coated deck-screws and polyurethane construction adhesive on all wood-to-wood contact).

I drove the car on to test and they didn't creak/groan/crack like I expected they would.

Strong like bull! However, before working underneath, I placed two jackstands just in case.

D. Ocean
Miami, FLA

rosslato

very nice

INTIMIDATOR ZO6

They look good... are you going to add any stops?

74FLCONV

Probably after the first time I drive over the edge!

D. Ocean
Miami, FLA

john1977

Built a pair last weekend something like yours,only i used 2x10 for the sides and 2x12 for the deck. Also made the ramp part as one peice and the and a seperate box for where the tires rest with a 3" stop. Used two 1/4" thick straps bolted to the box and two pin that go into the ramp that you just pull after the wheels are on top of the box so the ramps can be removed. Total length is 81", very easy to drive up,do not slide on the floor, can stop anywhere going up. Love them only wish i had built them years ago. The 2 box's are 18"L x 12"W x 11"H. The ramps are 63"L x 12"W. Materials needed 2-2x10s 10' 2-2x12s 8' and 1-2x10 8' 1tube of construction adhesive 1# of 3" deck scews. Total cost $48

ddecart

They look nice, but personally, there's NFW I'd get under a car on those ramps.

74FLCONV

Pics?

D. Ocean
Miami, FLA

74FLCONV

Trust me, they're solid. When you consider construction span tables for 2 x 10's (12" o.c.) and 3/4" plywood, the weight of a car ain't nothing...

http://www.cwc.ca/design/tools/calcs/SpanCalc_2002/

D. Ocean
Miami, FLA

john1977

Will take pics in the morning and see if i can post. AS long as they are used on a cement floor i would think they are very safe. Whats holding your house up?

ddecart

Span tables aren't going to consider that usage. Fill that void under the tire with 2x10s either on their side or stacked horizontally and I'd be ok with it. Heck, put a few in on their side with 3/4" plywood blocking in-between to save weight and it'd still be ok. I'd much rather have an excess of overkill if I'm laying under it.

DRKCYDE

That was a great response. Something I would do.

74FLCONV

Well...you can drive forklifts on a properly installed 2 x 10 floor.

Regardless, I still use jackstands whether under "real" ramps or not.

D. Ocean
Miami, FLA

GrandSportC3

LiveandLetDrive

Ramps=lifting device. THEY ARE NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR JACKSTANDS.

My jack is solid too.

Please don't kill yourselves people.

-Chris

74FLCONV

From original post: Strong like bull! However, before working underneath, I placed two jackstands just in case.

D. Ocean
Miami, FLA

Desertdawg

hunt4cleanair

I made mine from 2x10s and they ain't going nowhere...but I like your design much better...especially the slope! Mine weigh a ton.

carl a

i would take any advice givin on this subject for i had a international scout fall on me when i was in high school and never would want to go thru that again! lucky had a friend in garage at the time who ''lifted the truck up so i could get out- talk about suprehuman strength at a desprate time!!

SanDiegoPaul

Agreed. I'm very **** about safety from running shops for 20 years. I've had techs working for me that hurt themselves in so many stooopid ways that I wished I could have just smacked 'em on the forehead and said "THERE! DID YA LEARN SOMETHING NOW?"

When I have the car up on stands, the floor jack follows me and supports the car under whichever corner I'm under. If up on ramps, the same thing applies. No question.

My ramps by the way, are from Napa and cost 39.95 (yea I know, I can hear it now: NO WONDER HE USES THE FLOOR JACK FOR SAFETY!)

john1977

picture of ramps,sorry first time to post a picture