Performance & Maintenance Engine, forced induction, intakes, exhausts, torque converters, transmissions, etc.

ramps, how do i lift this thing?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-09-02, 06:49 AM
  #1  
akmpres
Pole Position
Thread Starter
 
akmpres's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: New York
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Question ramps, how do i lift this thing?

what is the best way to lift the sc400, using a jack dosent give me good support, and the ramps i have it wont go up because its too low and the front spoiler bangs into it. I figured id start doing my own oil changes and stuff like that. And now I have to replace the power steering fluid res, i might as well have a good lift on the car, what brands of ramps or lifts do you guys use?
Old 07-09-02, 09:31 AM
  #2  
PERRYinLA
Racer
 
PERRYinLA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 1,964
Received 13 Likes on 12 Posts
Lightbulb You can use std. ramps - just use a "pre-ramp" ramp!

What works for me is a 2 inch thick board that I place in front of the ramps- I first drive up on the boards, and that lifts the spoiler high enough to clear the ramps. If you want to get fancy you can attach the board to the ramp so it doesn't "drift" when you drive up on it.
Attached Thumbnails ramps, how do i lift this thing?-lexu0003.jpg  

Last edited by PERRYinLA; 09-24-07 at 12:20 AM.
Old 07-09-02, 10:41 AM
  #3  
akmpres
Pole Position
Thread Starter
 
akmpres's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: New York
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default great idea!

thanks man, you just saved me $100 every two months in oil changes!
Old 07-09-02, 10:45 AM
  #4  
ForNgoods
Lead Lap
 
ForNgoods's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Re: You can use std. ramps - just use a "pre-ramp" ramp!

Originally posted by PERRYinLA
What works for me is a 2 inch thick board that I place in front of the ramps- I first drive up on the boards, and that lifts the spoiler high enough to clear the ramps. If you want to get fancy you can attach the board to the ramp so it doesn't "drift" when you drive up on it.
that's an awesome idea... perryinla ur a genius!!! now i need a ramp.

Last edited by ForNgoods; 07-09-02 at 10:45 AM.
Old 07-09-02, 12:03 PM
  #5  
Camshaft
Lead Lap
 
Camshaft's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Sears has a really nice Craftsman 3 ton jack and two jack stands for $99. Another set of jack stands is around $20. You will need this for many other things as well. Be careful with your lift points, just right behind your front tires and right before the rears. Your floorboard is not that strong, and you could cave it in with the weight of the car on that one jack point.
Old 07-09-02, 03:22 PM
  #6  
SupraCoup3
Lexus Champion
 
SupraCoup3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: PHX
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I had a post on this before... Rhino ramps work great. I've got a set. They're made of plastic, but can handle 12,000 Lbs... Not too shabby in my book.

Rhino Ramps -- Made by Blitz. You can get them @ autozone for ~$29.


Also, you could make your own ramps.

http://www.mustangworld.com/ourpics/News/mwramps/



https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hlight=chicken
Old 07-09-02, 05:11 PM
  #7  
rushgator
Lexus Test Driver
 
rushgator's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Republic of Texas
Posts: 1,291
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

a hydraulic car lift is really nice if you are lucky enough to have access to one Nothing is easier than changing your oil without having to lay on the ground or on a creeper.
Old 07-09-02, 05:13 PM
  #8  
lex400sc
Lexus Fanatic
 
lex400sc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: bat country
Posts: 8,387
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I use Rhino Ramps as well. Got them at Miracle Auto. I trust ramps more than jacks because jack stands can tip and crush your head, or break your car if you screw up placing them. Ramps are as safe as you can get.
Old 07-09-02, 07:19 PM
  #9  
SupraCoup3
Lexus Champion
 
SupraCoup3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: PHX
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally posted by lex400sc
I use Rhino Ramps as well. Got them at Miracle Auto. I trust ramps more than jacks because jack stands can tip and crush your head, or break your car if you screw up placing them. Ramps are as safe as you can get.

My baseball coach has 4 fingers on one hand because his car jack fell over on his hand while he was changing a tire beside the highway -- he had to wait for someone to stop to get help (it was before cell phones)


Ramps or lift. Ahh working @ a dealership is soooo nice, which kind of lift do you like more?


John
Old 07-09-02, 08:34 PM
  #10  
PERRYinLA
Racer
 
PERRYinLA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 1,964
Received 13 Likes on 12 Posts
Default Next 2 posts show how I made my "pre-ramp" ramp....

I made this "hump" out of 3 pieces of wood when I had a BMW 3.0cs that was too low for my driveway- I placed it right where it needed a "lift". It served me well for several years. Back then it was one piece:
Attached Thumbnails ramps, how do i lift this thing?-lexu0002.jpg  
Old 07-09-02, 08:41 PM
  #11  
PERRYinLA
Racer
 
PERRYinLA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 1,964
Received 13 Likes on 12 Posts
Default ...cutting it in half & inverting them created perfect "pre-ramps" ...

If I wanted to be thorough, I would bevel the front edge, but my SC climbs up that "step" easily enough:
Attached Thumbnails ramps, how do i lift this thing?-lexu0003.jpg  

Last edited by PERRYinLA; 07-09-02 at 08:44 PM.
Old 07-09-02, 08:43 PM
  #12  
PERRYinLA
Racer
 
PERRYinLA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 1,964
Received 13 Likes on 12 Posts
Exclamation Dont overshoot your ramps!

...or you'll dent them- like this:
Attached Thumbnails ramps, how do i lift this thing?-lexu0004.jpg  
Old 07-10-02, 01:17 AM
  #13  
AUTOBOTxSOARER
Driver School Candidate
 
AUTOBOTxSOARER's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: CA, 626/909
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

$100 for an oil change??? damn I get mines for only $45 .........
Old 07-10-02, 05:02 AM
  #14  
akmpres
Pole Position
Thread Starter
 
akmpres's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: New York
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default oil change

mine are 49.50 but i have them done once a month, because i do at least 3000 miles a month. i figured id save the money and do it my self. hence the comment saving me 100 over two months.
Old 12-01-18, 03:39 PM
  #15  
PERRYinLA
Racer
 
PERRYinLA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 1,964
Received 13 Likes on 12 Posts
Default Sixteen years (!) later...

The wood in those pre-ramps shown in the photos above finally rotted out (shouldn't have stored them outside), but I recently had access to a miter saw and some scrap 2x8 lumber, so I made some more substantial pre-ramps.
I was able to jury-rig the miter saw to cut an angle sharper than 45 degrees, but even 45 degrees will work.
The two ~18” planks can be screwed together, but I'm leaving them separate for now to allow some flexibility in storage, and in how I arrange them in front of the ramp.




Quick Reply: ramps, how do i lift this thing?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:25 AM.