Looking to build ramps/lift

[atr]

Hi
I would like to build some sort of car ramps or a lifting device that will be enable to raise the vehicle to a height that will enable to get under the vehicle to basic things. I dont mean a full height lift like in the workshops. I hope that you will be willing to share your knowledge.
Thanx.
p.s. - let me mention that I have the equipment and skills to carry out such a task.

[Peter.N.]

About 40 years ago I built a drive on ramp which is still in regular use but you really need to be on sloping ground. At the side of my garage is an area of concrete about 20'x8' which did have a steep bank at the rear, I built a wall across the end below the slope and filled in the space so you cold drive to the edge of it from behind the garage, I got a couple of lengths of substantial timber as long as I could find and about 4" thick which was somewhat short of the length of the car and rested one end on a ledge so the top of the wood was flush with the wall and rested the other end on a couple of oil drums.

I think I have only replaced the drums once or possibly twice in all that time, providing the drums are watertight you can pour a little oil inside to stop them rusting. It just happened that the height was right do the drums but it would be a good idea to measure it first. I have had vehicles of two tons on it and never had a problem, its saved me a fortune in being able to do jobs I couldn't have done otherwise.

The height is just right for working on brakes, suspension and so on and I have a low stool I can sit on to work on the underside. I have some photo's but don't know how to upload them.

Peter

[white exec]

I'm looking at the same thing.
Can't dig a pit in the garage, because of an immensely thick house foundation, also carrying waste pipes.
Second choice is to have a pit excavated for me, in a flat bit of ground, and to cast some concrete into it.
Third possibility is exactly what Peter describes: make use of sloping ground, that drops away from the driveway.
Still mulling.

[Stickyfinger]

http://picclick.co.uk/Car-Display-Maint ... 54675.html

I got more expensive ones via ebay (ex garage) but these are similar to my way of doing it.


Mine are galvanised so live outside. They can take any car. I use knee pads and work on ply sheets.

[Gibbo2286]

I've had two properties with concrete pits but they both had the problem of water ingress, had to be pumped out regularly despite being supposedly plastic lined behind the concrete.

As for home built or Ebay ramps please be absolutely sure that they are fit for purpose and don't under any circumstances use them on soft ground. They WILL kill you.

[Hell Razor5543]

Well, something like this could be useful;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-DISPLAY-R ... SwFdtXw9sa

[Stickyfinger]

Well, something like this could be useful;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-DISPLAY-R ... SwFdtXw9sa

THEY are the type I have.....you could not purchase the metal for that price.

To stabilise them, put the "pivot" cross legs of the ramps on a long cross beam and secure with gate U bolts.

[Zelandeth]

Couple of folks over on UKSaabs have spoken highly of these.

Link over here...

No experience myself with it, but I know that if I had the odd £1600 floating around that I'd be giving it a very careful look...compared to your normal four post lift that's very, very cheap! Also packs away taking up next to no space when not in use.

[atr]

Hi
Thank you all for your responses, and special thanks for Gibbo2286 for his concern. what I think that might be the easiest set is the one that posted by Stickyfinger. I've seen one that is hydraulic operated but it's more complicated since it needs an hydraulic power unit and two cylinders, so, the simplicity wins. my only concern is the point when the vehicle is on the ramp and then tilts, but I guess it's safe enough.

[white exec]

I'm a bit concerned by the lack of diagonal bracing in a couple of those designs, particularly the blue tilting one.
I cannot think of a more awful way to go, than under a falling car, although I'm sure there are.
Also prefer to have more than one device doing the supporting, and that includes 2- and 4-post workshop ramps, where I prefer to see a locking bar inserted.
Just me.

[myglaren]

About 40 years ago I built a drive on ramp which is still in regular use but you really need to be on sloping ground. At the side of my garage is an area of concrete about 20'x8' which did have a steep bank at the rear, I built a wall across the end below the slope and filled in the space so you cold drive to the edge of it from behind the garage, I got a couple of lengths of substantial timber as long as I could find and about 4" thick which was somewhat short of the length of the car and rested one end on a ledge so the top of the wood was flush with the wall and rested the other end on a couple of oil drums.

I think I have only replaced the drums once or possibly twice in all that time, providing the drums are watertight you can pour a little oil inside to stop them rusting. It just happened that the height was right do the drums but it would be a good idea to measure it first. I have had vehicles of two tons on it and never had a problem, its saved me a fortune in being able to do jobs I couldn't have done otherwise.

The height is just right for working on brakes, suspension and so on and I have a low stool I can sit on to work on the underside. I have some photo's but don't know how to upload them.

Peter

Peter's photo's:

[white exec]

Gosh, Peter, that's terrific. More food for thought... And a lovely clutch of Estates as well.

[Peter.N.]

XM's all gone now.

Peter

[xsaras4ever]

If you have the height , its worth installing a 2 post lift. Much better access to suspension than with a 4 poster or ramps.
We purchased one last year and installed it this year. Our back says thanks to us every time we use it.

The prices have come way down too, think ours was about £800.

Yes, its probably chinese, but even the cheaper ones coming out of Germany are chinese too.

As its not in use every day in a professional manner , we are hugely pleased with it.

[white exec]

I did look at a few 2-post lifts on the web, and some are very neat. Height and width (just) is also available in the garage.
One problem I have is that I need to work on Citroen fluid suspension, which frequently requires the weight of the car to be on all its wheels, so 2-post 'between axles' lifting isn't the best. Shame.
What make/model did you buy?