Vehicle ramps
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New User
Joined: May 2004
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Vehicle ramps
Has anyone built any homemade drive on ramps to raise their vehicle high enough (18-24") so you can get a creeper under it? I don't mean the 2-3 ft long ones but ones that the entire vehicle is up on at the same time? I see some at www.kwiklift.com and other places but they are $1000. Surely I could build a safe set cheaper.
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 95
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From: Northern Ca
Check out the ramps used at a car dealership where they display a car on their lot.
Then go to a welding shop or check your yellow pages under "steel" distributor and buy the exact thickness of angle iron as the ramp at the dealership. Cut and weld.
But with the high cost of steel today, it may cost you $500 of material...and oh BTW, how's your welding skills? Good enough to trust?
Then go to a welding shop or check your yellow pages under "steel" distributor and buy the exact thickness of angle iron as the ramp at the dealership. Cut and weld.
But with the high cost of steel today, it may cost you $500 of material...and oh BTW, how's your welding skills? Good enough to trust?
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,659
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From: S/C Texas
I hammered 2 lengths of 2x8's into a board sandwich. One sandwich for each side. I set those up on cinder blocks. I have 2 small boards cut to the length of the desired seperation of the ramps. I use a stack of 2x8's cut up and stacked graduating to the level of the ramps. Just set it up in the barn when I need it. Works great for my wifes Saturn. My truck doesnt need lifted for most projects. I fit under no problems. But it does hold the truck also, just add an extra block or two under there.
Beats 500 or 600 bucks anyday of the week.
Beats 500 or 600 bucks anyday of the week.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: South West Iowa
If you are using cinder blocks to support a vehicle you best get a good life insurance policy so your loved ones can survive once your gone. It is just a matter of time before you loose that gamble.
Get the right tool for the job!!
Get the right tool for the job!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
> It is just a matter of time before you loose that gamble
I second that. Though 2x8s on top of a single layer of blocks is fairly safe, still nothing I would try. The worse is when the bare block is supporting something by itself, because when it gets damaged, it will crack and completely collapse.
I second that. Though 2x8s on top of a single layer of blocks is fairly safe, still nothing I would try. The worse is when the bare block is supporting something by itself, because when it gets damaged, it will crack and completely collapse.
CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Lake Havasu City AZ
Cinder Blocks - BAD Idea!
Peppy, PLEASE listen to 52F2 and lose the cinder blocks as soon as possible! Man, those are time bombs just waiting to explode and do you in.
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: North of Tulsa, Oklahoma
I'm surprised that I've never seen anyone recommend using railroad ties? They are fairly thick and durable. They come in nice lengths and it wouldn't be hard to cut an angle one end to drive the vehicle up. They are also fairly cheap.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 98
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From: Talladega, AL.
Cross ties work great. We use them to pull School Buses and trucks on, for front end pressure washing. Took one and came about 2 feet from the end and cut it at an angle.
Tried cinder blocks when I was a teen and saw that was not the route, when my Mustang crumbled it and hit the drive way as I was getting ready to slide under. Lucky there was no damage to either of us. Dad would have probably put me back in the 61 Fairlaine 4 door land barge! When he let me back in a car!!!
Tried cinder blocks when I was a teen and saw that was not the route, when my Mustang crumbled it and hit the drive way as I was getting ready to slide under. Lucky there was no damage to either of us. Dad would have probably put me back in the 61 Fairlaine 4 door land barge! When he let me back in a car!!!
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,809
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From: The Shenandoah Valley
I have a set of short ramps that are solid wood and are 8" wide, 6" high, and about 28" long. I have a short chain "handle" on the end so I can hang them, or grab them up easily or carry.
I have a set of taller, and heavier ramps made up of various pieces of "2 by" material that are in essence, boxes with one side that is sloped, and they are cross braced inside, and the sides tied together with 5 sections of 3/8" threaded rod with big washers under the nuts ... besides the many 16 penny nails. They are 11" wide and 14" high, and near 48" long, and heavy. I also have the bottom that they sit on turned sideways and cut to 20" so they have a wide, stable footing, even if used in the yard.
I use the shorter ones most of the time, the taller ones are just too much to mess with unless really needed.
I have seen those steel ramps from Wallmart slowly collapse under a p.u., ...
... and I have responded to a scene where a man was killed when a cinder block crumbled under a front tire of a F-100 Short Bed. The family went out about midnighgt and found him, they thought it was just taking him a while to change the oil when he missed supper.
Loose the cinder blocks.
I have a set of taller, and heavier ramps made up of various pieces of "2 by" material that are in essence, boxes with one side that is sloped, and they are cross braced inside, and the sides tied together with 5 sections of 3/8" threaded rod with big washers under the nuts ... besides the many 16 penny nails. They are 11" wide and 14" high, and near 48" long, and heavy. I also have the bottom that they sit on turned sideways and cut to 20" so they have a wide, stable footing, even if used in the yard.
I use the shorter ones most of the time, the taller ones are just too much to mess with unless really needed.
I have seen those steel ramps from Wallmart slowly collapse under a p.u., ...
... and I have responded to a scene where a man was killed when a cinder block crumbled under a front tire of a F-100 Short Bed. The family went out about midnighgt and found him, they thought it was just taking him a while to change the oil when he missed supper.
Loose the cinder blocks.
Last edited by tbear853; May 18, 2004 at 09:17 AM.
Junior User
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!0-4 on the non use of cinder blocks ! You might get one that is solid enough and then again maybe NOT. Had a freind that use to use them he wasnt able to breath and suffacated to death when his fell. I use level solid foundation and expensive jack stands. I dont care how much they cost I like breathing.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,659
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From: S/C Texas
I'm sorry guys. They're not the hollow ones. I use the heavy solid ones used for pier and beam construction, and only one brick high, no stacking. I do appreiciate the concern. Its nice to know people care. I'll go ahead and listen to you all anyway. Setting up those steel ramps is much more simple.
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