Building safe ramps rather than buying for big $$
 

Arguably a safe set of ramps cannot be had for 50 bucks. I wanted something solid and safe but was not willing to spend the 200+ it would take. So off to the yard for 3 10' sticks of 2x10.

-klb

Re: Building safe ramps rather than buying for big $$
 

After some cutting and stacking and with the optional 5th "step" which may or may not end up being used, the ramps are looking good. Just need to attach them together and maybe paint them...

-klb

Re: Building safe ramps rather than buying for big $$
 

I have something similar to that, I used an old beam I had here, 3 x 12 or so, stacked it with a 2 x 12 ramp to get up on it. Works great and breaks down to move it. I used a couple pieces of 3/4 conduit upright through them to locate them and prevent from moving.

I did drive off the front of it once.....you should put a positive stop on yours.

Re: Building safe ramps rather than buying for big $$
 

Here's just 4 steps which makes it a 6.25" rise. Just a bit low for rolling around on the creeper. Still need to add the chock on the last step and figure a good way to treat the bottom so they don't slide so bad on my smooth floor.

35 dollars worth of lumber, 50 wood screws and some glue...

-klb

Re: Building safe ramps rather than buying for big $$
 

I see a couple of problems with that type of home made ramp. They are heavy and don't allow side access even for oil changes.

I used plywood with multiple internal cross bracing glued and screwed in place.
The first step clears my Vette spoiler. The ramp carries the spoiler clearance up until the spoiler clears the top of the second ramp. The lower ramp can then be removed. The lower ramp can also be used alone.

The Vette only weighs about 3400#, but I use it regularly for a 4100# HEMI Dodge Magnum, but usually just on the first ramp.

One down side of these ramps is that they slide easily. I have two lengths of 2x4 that must be placed temporarily between the ramps and the garage foundation wall when driving up on them.

Re: Building safe ramps rather than buying for big $$
 

I built the ramps in this pic for my lift but if you would use 2x8 i think would make a sweet set of drive on ramps

Re: Building safe ramps rather than buying for big $$
 

No side access is OK with me. These are going to be used mainly on my daily driver. They needed to be like this to allow for the low ride height. To get it up on jack stands is a real pain which requires driving it up onto 2x8 boards just to get the floor jack underneath it. With these ramps, I can skip all that. I'm chocking the rear wheels front/back and will likely use a chock front back on the front as well.


-klb

Re: Building safe ramps rather than buying for big $$
 

Spray them with water.

Re: Building safe ramps rather than buying for big $$
 

Stacked lumber, reminds me of how I used to load my Ranger.


Attachment 1646699

Attachment 1646700

Re: Building safe ramps rather than buying for big $$
 

Been using ramps like that for a long time...

Re: Building safe ramps rather than buying for big $$
 

That is very cool

Re: Building safe ramps rather than buying for big $$
 

Wow! Cool pictures and cars!

-klb

Re: Building safe ramps rather than buying for big $$
 

Final version with 5 steps and a stop...

Re: Building safe ramps rather than buying for big $$
 

I have a set of these too but I used 4 rough cut 3x12's with an angled one so you do not have to drive up steps. I didn't bother with mine but I seen some heavy ones before that had 2 castor wheels bolted to the flat front, so when you put them away you could just lift the ramp end and wheel/steer them around.

Re: Building safe ramps rather than buying for big $$
 

Same ramp. same kid, same car?
Cool.

Re: Building safe ramps rather than buying for big $$
 

Same kid and same concept; different ramps and different car.

K

Re: Building safe ramps rather than buying for big $$
 

I assumed 'same kid' but noticed the cars were only similar, not the same. Both very cool though. Thanks for sharing them.

-klb