Desmoe
Champion Author
New Hampshire
Posts:2,920
Points:316,800
Joined:Dec 2005
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Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 9:18:02 PM
jack w stands
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dailytraveler
Rookie Author
New York
Posts:26
Points:456,010
Joined:Mar 2011
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Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 9:12:35 PM
metal ramps with cross bars
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Titanic1985
Champion Author
South Carolina
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Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:23:11 PM
Hello Jimmy544. Your reference to safety and the use of jack stands with ramps is good. Some might consider it overkill, but I've seen a heavy 1976 Ford Elete cause those inexpensive metal ramps to fail. The damage to the vehicle was extensive, but no one was injured.
I would like to mention, that this combination (e.g. ramps w/jackstands) requires a bit of horse sense. When you are done with any job, collect your tools, rags, etc. AND remove the jackstand before backing off the ramps. You could do considerable damage to the vehicle, if you fail to do so.
jimmy544, this is the reason you have so many warning labels on ladders -- some people just don't think. It is no reflection on your post which is great :-) .
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jimmy544
Champion Author
Boston
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Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 2:37:50 PM
I mostly use ramps unless other work is needed. I think that ramps are safer but I usually put one jack stand under it in case of God knows what.
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weddy11
Champion Author
Phoenix
Posts:1,742
Points:432,825
Joined:Dec 2011
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Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 1:01:37 PM
jack stands on one vehicle, the other I don't need to jack it up.
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blazingedge
Veteran Author
Knoxville
Posts:298
Points:146,085
Joined:Jun 2011
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Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 10:59:30 AM
ramp
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gator2002
Champion Author
Calgary
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Joined:Jul 2003
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Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 1:10:46 AM
yes
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ricebike
Champion Author
New Jersey
Posts:10,037
Points:1,856,695
Joined:Oct 2005
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Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 12:00:38 AM
stands
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steffy628
Champion Author
Pennsylvania
Posts:1,776
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Joined:Apr 2011
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Message Posted: Jun 29, 2012 7:23:59 PM
ramps
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Mermaan
Champion Author
Boston
Posts:1,572
Points:421,235
Joined:Apr 2011
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Message Posted: Jun 29, 2012 6:19:24 PM
stands
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RickF350
Champion Author
Washington
Posts:3,419
Points:705,775
Joined:Apr 2008
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Message Posted: Jun 29, 2012 4:26:19 PM
None. I reach under the car and turn a valve. http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/
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BartandLisa
Champion Author
Newfoundland
Posts:2,150
Points:420,375
Joined:Feb 2012
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Message Posted: Jun 29, 2012 4:08:31 PM
Sturdy, made in North America ramps.
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eccerr0r
All-Star Author
Fort Collins
Posts:991
Points:595,490
Joined:Apr 2011
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Message Posted: Jun 29, 2012 1:23:26 PM
for those who use ramps... how do you make sure they just don't get pushed along when driving on them (without a helper, i.e. someone bold enough to make sure they don't get pushed along)...
I'd imagine front wheel drive cars with LSD may do better with them, but RWD cars or FWD cars with open differentials? Hmm...
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Skateforgirl
Rookie Author
Long Island
Posts:99
Points:30,080
Joined:Feb 2012
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Message Posted: Jun 29, 2012 12:55:45 PM
I would use ramps If I could get my car onto them. I just use a very low profile jack and put a jack stand in just in case.
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Chit64
Rookie Author
Indiana
Posts:97
Points:178,355
Joined:Jun 2012
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Message Posted: Jun 29, 2012 12:50:55 PM
Niether, I just use a jack. I live dangerously, some people call be Johnny Dangerously....
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randdtso
Champion Author
Ontario
Posts:2,035
Points:261,065
Joined:Nov 2006
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Message Posted: Jun 29, 2012 11:27:55 AM
Jack stands
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Titanic1985
Champion Author
South Carolina
Posts:6,274
Points:359,295
Joined:Dec 2010
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Message Posted: Jun 29, 2012 11:25:49 AM
Hi mileena202. I now have a new vehicle (the SUV is gone) and ramps are the safest way to change oil.
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Vin63
Champion Author
San Bernardino
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Joined:Oct 2007
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Message Posted: Jun 29, 2012 9:23:10 AM
Neither when changing the oil/filter on my truck.
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Timberline
Champion Author
West Virginia
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Joined:May 2006
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Message Posted: May 11, 2012 11:07:10 AM
Both
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DasAuto92
Champion Author
Montreal
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Message Posted: May 11, 2012 10:54:29 AM
As for the topic...Ramps, but those days are over. I'd rather pay $30.00 and sip a coffee, and stay clean.
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RAD3
Champion Author
Toronto
Posts:1,688
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Message Posted: May 11, 2012 10:47:20 AM
I use both.
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manaknight14
All-Star Author
Pennsylvania
Posts:538
Points:430,685
Joined:Oct 2011
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Message Posted: May 11, 2012 9:07:34 AM
I use Rhino ramps, it's so much easier than jacking a car. The only issue is when you need to remove wheels, so I can't rotate my tires or change my brakes, but in Pennsylvania we have mandatory state inspections where they check tires and brakes so I just get those jobs done then.
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WEPSMAN
Champion Author
South Dakota
Posts:10,513
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Joined:Mar 2005
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Message Posted: May 10, 2012 9:17:11 PM
When I used to change my own oil, I had ramps.
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2004VHO
Champion Author
Texas
Posts:5,231
Points:1,403,600
Joined:Aug 2005
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Message Posted: May 10, 2012 11:09:27 AM
Jack & jack stands.
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RalphHightower
Champion Author
South Carolina
Posts:3,309
Points:690,455
Joined:May 2011
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Message Posted: May 10, 2012 10:44:29 AM
When I had my van, I didn't need ramps or jack stands; I'd just crawl under with no problems.
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Titanic1985
Champion Author
South Carolina
Posts:6,274
Points:359,295
Joined:Dec 2010
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Message Posted: May 10, 2012 10:42:53 AM
Hi mileena202. You outdid yourself on this topic as it is valid and cautionary. My Chevrolet is an SUV and is high enough to slide under the front where the oil filter and drain plug are, so I don't need ramps or jackstands for this job. I do have both and a 3 Ton floor jack and garage quality jackstands for other maintenance.
Notes on ramps, if I may. When purchasing them, don't go "cheap" or buy ones not rated for your vehicle's weight. I've seen the metal ones fail under the weight of the vehicle causing extensive body damage. The solid rubberized ones (e.g. Rino, and others) are extremely durable. They also have a "backstop" to prevent driving over the end. It is wise to have a second person when using ramps to guide you and observe the wheels and ramps. If you a bit off, back up and start over. If you are on a hard surface such as concrete or asphalt, make sure the ramps don't slide or reposition themselves as you are driving on them. I have also seen individuals damage their vehicles with ramps, due to the vehicle's low ground clearance. The air dam may only be two or three inches off the ground and not "clear" the edge of the ramps. It can damage the air dam and, since it is attached to the fenders may also cause damage in that area.
Jackstands also have different quality levels. Go for the well made ones. If you are jacking up a vehicle, as some have mentioned, remember if the vehicle is not directly on the jackstand, it may drop several inches and the inertia plus the vehicle weight can cause the jackstand to fail.
The topic is somewhat misleading in that it is wise to use BOTH ramps and jack stands, especially when they are the metal type which may collapse.
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hornet17
Champion Author
Vancouver
Posts:1,323
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Message Posted: May 10, 2012 10:39:44 AM
jack stands.
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StickySam
Champion Author
Virginia
Posts:3,489
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Joined:Nov 2007
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Message Posted: May 10, 2012 9:10:46 AM
Some of my cars/trucks I just craw underneath. My Z300 I use a trolley jack and axle stands.
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jimmy544
Champion Author
Boston
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Message Posted: May 10, 2012 7:33:14 AM
Plastic ramps with one jack stand for safety.
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probedude2
Champion Author
Akron
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Joined:Jun 2003
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Message Posted: May 10, 2012 12:41:01 AM
I use these yellow steel ramps
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DVMC
Champion Author
Chicago
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Message Posted: May 9, 2012 6:38:55 PM
wOOD PLANKS
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2amy
Champion Author
Fresno
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Points:606,405
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Message Posted: May 9, 2012 6:18:56 PM
My vehicle sits high enough I crawl underneath it. Of course I have to suck in in a tad.
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14smoke
Champion Author
Birmingham
Posts:13,204
Points:1,924,165
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Message Posted: May 9, 2012 5:26:59 PM
When I changed my own oil, I used ramps.
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pacecar68
Champion Author
Oakland
Posts:4,666
Points:868,070
Joined:Jan 2007
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Message Posted: May 9, 2012 2:21:08 PM
i use ramps for oil changes and other tasks that do not require tire removal. conversely, i use jack stands for those task that require tire removal.
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MikeyP8
Champion Author
Massachusetts
Posts:1,077
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Message Posted: May 9, 2012 2:01:54 PM
negative
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eccerr0r
All-Star Author
Fort Collins
Posts:991
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Joined:Apr 2011
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Message Posted: May 9, 2012 1:40:21 PM
Neither :D
My Jeep has enough ground clearance for me to slide under without lifting it (and it's stock height). My Subaru's oil filter and drain plug are close enough to the front of the vehicle that I can access them too, again without needing to jack the car.
I had other cars where this wasn't possible. I tried ramps but they were hard to use, they tend to be pushed along and hard to know when to stop when using them alone. Thus jackstands was the way to go...
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bluenvoy
Champion Author
Nashville
Posts:14,977
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Message Posted: May 9, 2012 8:42:39 AM
I'm not that Norm Abrams.
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bhpj45
Champion Author
Miami
Posts:7,489
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Message Posted: May 9, 2012 5:01:27 AM
I use Ramps
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Bluebird333
All-Star Author
Wisconsin
Posts:634
Points:52,300
Joined:Feb 2012
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Message Posted: May 9, 2012 4:10:13 AM
For the car I use stands and for the truck, well it sits so high I just slide the pan under and begin the process. I love 4x4 trucks.
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ricebike
Champion Author
New Jersey
Posts:10,037
Points:1,856,695
Joined:Oct 2005
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Message Posted: May 8, 2012 11:26:06 PM
I've got a concrete driveway,
but i'll still use jack stands along with leaving the jack on the frame rail while i crawl under...
a neighbor didn't use either & it almost cost him his life DOH!
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OceanArcher
Champion Author
Mississippi
Posts:5,713
Points:1,329,350
Joined:May 2004
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Message Posted: May 8, 2012 11:21:23 PM
I've got a concrete driveway, and I'm using ramps
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stratlinetime
Champion Author
Kalamazoo
Posts:2,286
Points:564,810
Joined:Feb 2011
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Message Posted: May 8, 2012 10:38:37 PM
Jack stands
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