car ramps
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Seattle
car ramps
I was debating whether or not to roll the truck up on car ramps to work on some of the harder to reach engine parts - O2 sensors and the like. However I was also warned not to do that by a buddy of mine, stating that they are unsafe.
What's the consensus here, use them no problem and my buddy's on crack?
What's the consensus here, use them no problem and my buddy's on crack?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
I hear they are no problem, if they're strong and adequate for the vehicle. I used to use them a lot on our GMC which is much heavier than the Ranger with no problems. But I've gone to a floor jack and jack stands now, easier IMO to jack the truck up and put it on stands then try and run it up the ramps.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 18,423
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From: iowa
I have used ramps for a lot of years, biggest thing is a solid level surface and don't buy the cheapest junk ones you can find of coarse. I too have pretty much gone to floor jacks and jack stands for almost everything but I still have ramps when I want to be lazy or my jackstands are under something else.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Niceville, FL.
I've got a pair from NAPA, bought in '60's, that I use regularly when working on my '83 F350 dually (w/460). The ramps are rated @ 2 tons. They are stamped steel with braces welded on each side near the bottom.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Fuquay Varina,NC
i use ramps all the time. i have them sitting at the end of my driveway, ready to roll up on, haha. i DONT like the metal ramps, even with the braces, ive seen too many collapse under a vehicle. I use the plastic ramps, if you take a look underneath, youll see it would be pretty damn hard to damage them. mine are rated at 25,000 lbs for the pair.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Seattle
Originally Posted by Level2
I would think a decent set of ramps would hold and I have used them before but a good set of jack stands underneath wouldnt hurt for safety sake.
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Posting Guru
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From: Slatington PA
The chevelle doesn't have anywhere to put a jack or jackstand, so whenever i do work, i have to use ramps, or take it to a shop, but i like to do my own basic work. then i cant blame someone else. but it habdels that fine. and that car has some serious weight over my trcu, it pulls in at 5,000. they dont call em heavy cheavys for nothin. you'll be fine with a set of good ones... i cant even change the tire if i have a flat. 
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 963
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From: wichita kansas
I prefer to use the ramps myself. It is easier and faster to pull the ramps out and drive up on them that get the jack and jackstands out and jack everything up and then back down. Unless you are buying some really cheap ramps are ones that have been overloaded a Ranger certainly isn't going to be a danger. I am the opposite though in that I don't like the plastic ones and prefer the steel ones.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
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From: SW Va
Ramps should be ok IF you don't overload them, or try to use them on a unpaved, or unlevel surface.
If you're using ramps or stands & your work surface isn't concrete, I'd suggest using a piece of at least 1/4 inch thick plywood under them as a base, to spread the load & prevent them from sinking into the surface they're on & maybe causing a tip over!!!!!
On hard smooth surfaces, I use a piece of carpet under my ramps, so they won't slide, when I try to drive up, it'll also prevent the ramp from sinking into a asphalt surface, on a quicky oil or tranny drain.
Just some more thoughts for considration.
If you're using ramps or stands & your work surface isn't concrete, I'd suggest using a piece of at least 1/4 inch thick plywood under them as a base, to spread the load & prevent them from sinking into the surface they're on & maybe causing a tip over!!!!!
On hard smooth surfaces, I use a piece of carpet under my ramps, so they won't slide, when I try to drive up, it'll also prevent the ramp from sinking into a asphalt surface, on a quicky oil or tranny drain.
Just some more thoughts for considration.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,461
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From: Abilene Kansas
i built my own out of some angle iron and cold rolled steel. they are way bigger than i need and i made them wider that way i can have a better spread on the ground. mabey you could do this too?
Matt
Matt
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: north carolina
i have been on the bad side of both ramps and stands.. had a 87 tbird with 5.0 roll off ramps even with the rear wheels blocked (rolled over the choks) and yes i was under the car as was my best friend, walked away with a pair of brused ribs and my buddy had a concusion. and had a 89 tbird 3.8 v6 fall off the jack stands while trying to seperate the ball joints...though it fell away from me with with minor paint scrapes and the aggravation of jacking it back up with the front bumper on the ground.
Posting Guru
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From: Slatington PA
I only use stands on the chevelle, just because i cont put a jack on any of the "safe" lifting spots without scatching the chrome, so i use stands. i roll the front wheels up on it, chok the rear wheels, and use thoe ratchet straps over the front wheels and around the ramp. i actually think this method is safer that jacks, becuase, it's like putting really big tires on your car. i just have to use heavy rated one because a shevy bigblock isn't light by anymeans. i'm sure you could use the same method on your truck, just be careful. besides. it's alot lighter.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Colorado
I have also gone to the local Janitorial supply store and bought about 4 feet x 4 inch wide of non skid strips and placed the on the aproch of the ramp so when you put the back tires on the ramp they wont spin.
make sure they are rated for the weight, mine have given me over 20 years service(Rated for 10,000 lbs).
make sure they are rated for the weight, mine have given me over 20 years service(Rated for 10,000 lbs).