25 posts so far and nobody has said jack and cement blocks. Am I the only one old enough to remember when those were commonly used? They're pretty solid if you use them right...but sketchy if you don't.

Ken

 

I Don't use ramps, I actually think their a hassle. I did plan on making some for doing oil changes but realized I can get at my jacks and stands just as fast. I have no problem with ratcheting stands, I have the presence of mind to check them and varify that they are securely locked before applying weight though, have used them on countless projects. Had to build some specifficaly for my last vehicle as I couldn't find any tall enough, now with the RX8 I have to use little ones and the tall ones I made are useless as the shortest they adjust is 30".

Anywho, use the ratchets if that's what you can get ahold of but be carefull and don't trust other people to set them, set them yourself. Your life and limbs are litteraly at stake and it's always worth the extra walk around.

 

lol this thread is amazing... like a 18 yr old streetwalker.

 

Ramps take up more space and not sure they would work with lowered cars.

 

ramps do not work with lowered cars or cars with body kits.

jacks+stands are what i use.

 

My made (and grown) in America ramps work well with lower cars. I prefer to use ramps for things that do not involve the removal of tires. Its just quicker for me to get the car up.

 

If you don't want to spend a lot of money, go for a jack and stands. Stands are useful for more things, since you can take the wheels off with them. I had a set of rhino ramps for my old Honda Accord and they worked great for oil changes, but I wouldn't ever be able to change a tire with them as others have said.

A jack and stands is going to get you the most usefulness while taking up the least storage space in your garage, and that makes them a win in my book. Just make sure you chock the wheels that touch the ground and make sure you have the hand brake on too so the car cannot possibly roll.

Don't drop the car on your head. Always make sure you check that the pins on your stands are seated properly. When the car is on the stands, make sure the stands are supporting the car straight up and down and aren't leaning in any direction.

Never get under the car with just a jack supporting it, and if you ever hear any strange noises from your stands or jack while doing work, clear the hell out from under and around the vehicle until you've verified it's not going to fall on your head.

I'm never particularly frightened of something happening when I crawl under my car, but I still treat a jacked up car the same way I handle a firearm. With great respect. My mom got a flat once, and when AAA came to fix it, the car fell off the jack after the guy had the tire off. I still remember it vividly.

 

I'm amazed at how much input is here haha. I think a lot of people have both cause it's useful to have them for different situations.

I'd say a good summary is this: Stands allow you to do everything ramps do and more. Ramps are a bit easier to be safe with and can feel safer (done correctly, either is perfectly safe). The rest all depends what you want to spend, how much space you have to store, and what you find convenient.

Good for you for wanting to learn - the resources on here are excellent if you have some patience to use the search function, and if you do so, you'll find lots of extremely helpful people as well. Good luck and have fun!

 

Anyone have a link for those Rhino Stands?

 

Nevermind I think I found them.

 

Expo's got a lot of frugal, self-reliant, Yankee in him, even if he does live in Jersey.

^ You can get Rhino ramps at most any Autozone, etc. Go with the heavier rated set.

 

Cement blocks can crack and crumble without notice.

 

YES, butt.. it helps if you take an auto shop class first.

If your lucky you have an old dog like me around that can show you tricks.

Did you know Easy1 and I can flip backwards?

How do you think Carl Edwards lerned that trick?