Ask a Shiter

[KruJoe]

I just had a look for you Will. There are loads of cheap second hand ones as I said, but none nearby. If you can't wait for a local bargain, these are under £23 delivered:

 

 

They look just like mine (except clean and shiny new), and well up to the job.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pair-of-2-Tonne-Heavey-Duty-Vehicle-car-Ramp-Pair-Ramps-/290976213840?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item43bf88ab50

[Taff]

I got my ramps at a car boot sale for £3 I think? used them a lot, even if the Galaxie tyres are a little big for them

 

good for brake and suspension work, as has been said. You can tighten stuff down with the weight on

[steve_earwig]

I always worry that you can't see where you're going as you drive up them. Ok, your wheels are straight, but...

 

Also, a mate of mine was trying to get a Riley Kestrel (sadly a re-badged Austin 1100 with a grille) up a pair, the wheels kept spinning but it eventually caught - and fired one of the stands half way along the sill. One stand under the wheel, the other half way along the sill the other side, wibble wobble. My how we laughed

[The Moog]

Cheers Joe. I think I might try and get a set of the wider ones that can take 3 tons so I can put van up on them when needed.

 

(also need to sort those seats out for you)

[KruJoe]

You've already kindly sorted those seats out for us Moogie, it's us that need to get our arses over to you and get then out of your bloody way!

[twosmoke300]

A strip of old carpet wrapped around the bottom rung of the ramp and left about a foot long stops the ramps shooting out when you drive up.

[mat_the_cat]

Dunno about the bx box but on quite a few cars you can swap the 5th gear set without taking the box out.

 

You can on the BX, I'll try and get someone to bring the pictures back up on this thread:

http://www.bxproject.co.uk/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3910

[drum]

When I use ramps I put some logs in them because I worry they collapse while I'm underneath the car.

[Asimo]

Plenty of moderns won't go up ramps because the front overhangs are so long and the ground clearance so low. Golf Mk4 and my Honda Insight for example.

 

Cheap ramps are shorter and steeper and really do need Drum's carpet trick.

 

Easy to get into trouble with ramps, I have cocked-up bigtime with them, very careful now. Oh for a garage lift! (oh for a garage)

[Inspector Morose]

Take one sleeper. Cut it into two with a diagonal cut (keep the longest edge measurement the same). Hey presto instant ramps. Add on top a smaller version of the above for added height.

[KruJoe]

Our ramps are a bit steep, even for the front bumper of my R8, the trick is to have a two-foot length of builders' plank, and use them in place of the proper ramp extensions like this:

 

 

Whilst looking for that pic, I found this - easy enough for a man with Moog's skills, using an old plank, a saw, and nails. No danger of collapse, too

 

 

(Edit - FPB's idea is similarly good.)

 

We always have squares of old carpet around the shed - about three feet square. We use 'em for kneeling on, covering screens/bonnets when grinding, or emergency oil mops!

Carpet doesn't need wrapping around the rungs to stop the steel ramps scooting off - just a piece laid under the ramp does it.

 

Another tip for the nervous, have a trust-worthy assistant guide you up.

If you're alone, position the car with the wheels straight, about two feet back from where you want to work, jump out and put the ramps against the tyre tread just in front, make sure they're straight, jump back in and up you go. Lean out the window if you can, or open the door and watch the wheels to the top.

[Matt]

Or you could get fancy:

 

[KruJoe]

Don't go there sister!

 

[dave21478]

I keep seeing stuff like these around the internets and really should make an real effort to look into making a pair.

 

 

Drive up them,jack them horizontal then put the support legs in place.

 

 

You occasionally see this kind of thing for sale...

http://www.usmuscle.com.au/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3391&d=1256592575

designed for forecourt display...perhaps a little flimsy to be lying under while hauling on stuff with a breaker bar?

 

I would love a two-post lift, but its an awful lot of money even for a used one.

[mouseflakes]

Was the Citroen ZX estate ever sold in the UK in Mk1 form? I can only find publicity shots, I've not managed to find a photo of one 'in the wild'.

 

[Pillock]

Is this a Mk1?

 

http://autoshite.com/index.php?/topic/18670-The-lost-One-Returns-Home!!!

[Lacquer Peel]

No, it has the facelift grille. I have seen a few phase 1 ZX estates.

[Taff]

I usually jack the car up, put the ramps under the tyres and then lower it onto them, saves that whole faff with chasing the ramps down the drive.

 

I do like the idea of being a used teeter-totter though, the pervert in me has always wanted a go on one of them!

[mouseflakes]

I have seen a few phase 1 ZX estates.

 

I fancy a ZX, but I've been waiting for one to appear in the form I'd like best, which would be a phase 1 estate. I just wonder how long I might be waiting . I get the impression the estate was added to the range not long before the facelift so I suspect a p1 estate might be quite a rare thing.

[Richard]

I hate to drag up the "modern cars are bloated" subject again but are these cheapo ramps up to the job now that a medium sized hatchback is now a similar weight to a 1970s barge?

[Pillock]

Yeah, because thanks to massive overhang and 225-section tyres, you'll never actually get them up there so weight is of no concern.

[HH-R]

Even my Bro's old Civic with 14" tyres and my Panda with little overhang and 13" 155 tyres don't go up ramps without damage so I'd imagine MODERNZ are impossible.

[drum]

Homemade ramp

[beko1987]

Amy's car wouldn't go up the ramps with the front splitter. Luckily it fell off a year or so ago and now it goes up them fine.

 

Might try the carpet idea though, we used rope last time which did work but it wasn't my rope so can't use it on my own...

[bub2006]

The Vectra is a pain in the arse to get on the ramps. Rear goes up ok providing you get the tyres perfectly central as the 225 tyre only just fit my ramps. The fronts thogh I either jack it up and slide ramps under wheel a bit further then lower car and drive up or put some wood in front of ramps and drive over them and up.

[The Moog]

So in answer they are awesome but no cars can go up and they will fall off

[steve_earwig]

As we're still talking ramps... Chap on the 406oc posted this a while back, looks scarey but (apparently) he's been using it for 40 years and has had all sorts on it, including CXs and XMs.

 

 

 

 

[Stanky]

Does he climb out the boot once he's driven the car into position, or open the door and fall the additional 3 feet to ground level? I assume re-entry is achieved either via the boot, or using a step-ladder?

 

Looks ace though, wish I had something like that!

[drum]

Reminds me of this

[Stanky]

Is the rear end of that car being held up by the man stood underneath? I think I'd take my chances having a bath with a toaster rather than go underneath that contraption!