I was helping a friend with his MINI Cooper S which is lowered and found out that it won't go up on to my regular ramps. I am going to be lowering my Civic soon so I need some ramps that will work with lowered cars. I know there are the Race Ramps but those are expensive. Is there a cheaper option (that is ghetto rigging something)?
Drive up on a 2x4 first?
Build step-up ramps from 2X6 or 2X8 fastened together with screws or bolts.
Or use a low profile floor jack and put the ramps under the wheels. I've done this before on my Opel GT. Too low to drive up my ramps but I like the security of ramps when I have to go under the car.
I can usually solve the problem with a combination of appropriate (safe) wood blocks.
My Elky has trouble getting on my lift (lake pipes are too low). I drive it onto 2x10 blocks (laying flat) and the lift arms fit under.
Seems like you could cut an angle on the end of some 2x10's, so you drive up the 2" bump, then on up the ramps? Some variation thereof?
Or, perhaps just a jack + jack stands?
I built a set out of 2x10's, 1 12 footer should do you, 4' bottom plank and a 2' top plank, screw/nail together. I slash cut the ends to make rollup easier buy not something that you have to do...
That said the race ramps are ton lighter but at about $15 in materials and 30 min of time the "grassroots" solution is a bunch cheaper than the race ramps...
It's good to have a couple of sets of home made 2X10 ramps. Use pressure treated wood so you can keep them outside. Cut the pieces on an angle so the tires go up easier. Mine are three thicknesses tall. First layer is about four feet long, second one is slightly less than 3 feet and the last one is around 18". No way I can get a jack under the race car or load it onto the trailer without them.
Conversely, I use a set of ramps that I back my tow vehicle onto, thus tilting the trailer to make the angle more friendly. I feel better driving my truck up ramps than my car at least.
golfduke wrote: Conversely, I use a set of ramps that I back my tow vehicle onto, thus tilting the trailer to make the angle more friendly. I feel better driving my truck up ramps than my car at least.
I've always done something similar, I hook up the trailer to my truck than wind the jack all the way up to get the angle right, then I put my ramps under the trailer ramps
I have a pair of Rhino Ramps that my lowered Miata gets up just fine.
jeffmx5 wrote: I have a pair of Rhino Ramps that my lowered Miata gets up just fine.
The ones I had barely cleared the stock height Civic.
jeffmx5 wrote: I have a pair of Rhino Ramps that my lowered Miata gets up just fine.
The ones I had barely cleared the stock height Civic.
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