Question about ramps...
 

I'm wanting to buy a set for oil changes... my brother-in-law brought up a good question. Is the Boxster too low to ride up on ramps without hitting the bumper? I have a slight incline on my drive which would help, but I'm not always going to put it on ramps in the drive. I'd like to do it in the garage as well for other things.
Anyway, if anyone has any info in this area I would appreciate it.

Thanks.

That's a good question with regard to store-bought ramps---one that I don't have an answer to. (I'm sure you'll get responses from those that do.) If you have any extra lumber laying around (or want to buy some), you can do what I did: I made ramps using 2 X 8 planks. (I did this a long time ago, for my Toyota---If I was doing it now, I'd use 2 X 10s.) You can choose the lengths so as to make a gradual "climb" so that everything on the Box will clear.

As you may have noticed, I later added little pieces of 1 X 8 to make ascending the ramps a little easier. (It worked pretty well without them, as well.)

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/c...IMG_3032-1.jpg

For oil changes?? I'd get a good quality floor jack and a set of stands, I think these tools are superior to ramps.

getting the rear of the boxster up on ramps (lets say for an oil change) is not a problem, plenty of clearance even if your car is lowered. Now getting the front up on ramps (can't think of too many reasons you might do that), depending on the ramp and if your car is lowered you may have clearance issues. ;)

For a lot of jobs, I'd agree with you on that. But for oil changes, I can have the job well under way by the time you get your car jacked up and onto stands. The pictured ramps are really easy, quick, and secure.

Two other points: When I do my oil changes, I drive UP the sloped driveway, then back onto the ramps. That way, the car is level when I go to drain oil. Secondly, with my setup with the 2 X 8s, the climb is gradual enough that it works well (ie clears everything) in front as well.

I bought a set of plastic (8000lb) ramps at AutoZone for (I think) $39. My Boxster backed up onto the ramps with absolutely no trouble, and the ramps were high enough for me to get the headers off and back on.

+1. Ramp is a lot easier and faster.

Same for me... I've used ramps for years and years and they work great for the Boxster oil change. Much quicker than jacking the car and positioning stands. I also back onto a slope so that the car is level when it is ramped. Very slick.

+1 for ramps. No problem getting the rear up on ramps even with my lowered car. In addition to everything the others have said, they feel safer when I'm under the car versus jack stands. Also good for adjusting suspension while it is under load.

+1... and you're eventually gonna need them anyway.

:cheers:

For my oil changes, I jack the car up one one side in the rear, place a jackstand under a the alternate hard point, scoot under the car, loosen the drain plug w/ pan in position, and then lower the car back down to level.

After 30 min., I raise the car, replace the drain plug, do the filter swap and lower the car a final time before filling w/ new oil. 45min max. (incl. 30 min drain time).

LOL @ a jack taking too long, you guys doing pit stops or oil changes? I bought an all aluminum lightweight floor jack and it's paid for itself many times.

Hey, why work harder and take longer than you need to? I have the jack and stands, but don't bother with them for a simple oil change.

No, I'm not running a pit stop, but I see no point in knowingly making a task any harder (or more time-consuming) than necessary. But that's just me...

I meant no insult to you, sorry if you thought I did. My thought is, align ramps, maneuver car onto ramps = get jack under the back jacking plate, raise car, place safety stand and jump in...

Hey, no offense taken. You're right, it's really pretty much a toss-up when you get right down to it.

Thanks for the feedback guys! Looks like I'll be heading out this weekend to buy some ramps! I just didn't want to go and then find that they didn't work... looks like it should work out fine!
Thanks.

Like Frodo I have used 2x10s (but not as nice as his), and I have used trailer ramps (not with the trailer). The ramps were not as good as I had thought. Backing off scared me.

You really don't need much lift as long as you are willing to lie on your back and reach a bit. I believe Pelican Parts had the "no-lift" instructions.

My metal ramps are too steep, by the way. Are you guys voting for ramps using those low composite-type ramps (Elephant maybe?)??

Mine are made of resin or whatever that is. They are 10 or 15 years old and still sturdy/durable. I made a point of getting a low incline. I suppose if your driveway has a slope to it, it will determine the incline you want, but if ramping in the garage, the low incline was necessary for both of my cars.

I used to have my wife hold the car up (amazing woman), but now I use ramps and jacks like lil bastard. Easy, fast and most important, safe. I had a jack blow on me years ago, and nearly got squished.

:cheers:

Personally, I think you gotta be crazy to get under a car that is on a slope. Level with wheels blocked is the only safe way to go. I would suggest Lil' Bastards method or a jack and good stands. I use ramps and jackstands myself. I can't see risking my life to save 15 minutes on an oil change.

Just my opinion.

Yeah, but just think about it for a sec. I back the car onto ramps while the front end is uphill from the rear end. BUT, once I'm on the ramps, the car is level. Soooo, even unchocked, it's really not inclined to go anywhere. Then, I go ahead and double chock it anyway.

Believe me, I've never "risked my life to save 15 minutes on an oil change".

The way I've described is as safe as any I've read about, other than (arguably) using a lift.

While the back might be level with the front, the front still wants to roll down hill. Chocks are definatley a must for safety.
Ken

Yes, as a tip of the hat to the gods of safety (and out of good habit), I do still chock her. But, after getting in a hurry one day and almost
backing too far on the ramps (ie, off the high end), I decided to make an alteration to my ramps:

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/c...IMG_3611-1.jpg http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/c...IMG_3615-1.jpg

With this arrangement, it would be a bit of challenge to intentionally drive off the end of the ramp. Even with the front wheels still on a slope, the car is
level and is definitely not rolling anywhere. The chocks placed on the front are just additional frosting on the cake. :)

You're kiddin right? Not only is gravity gonna want to make the front tires roll but it will also act on he ramp to try and push it back as the tires want to roll. I have seen the seals on jacks blow while the car is up, jack stands slip and cars roll because a chock slipped. I have seen many of the new plastic chocks slip especially when cold. I hope you are extra, extra careful if you are gonna keep doing it this way.

The way you are describing is NOT as safe as the other ways.

Nope, I’m not kidding---are you?? 1) The chocks I use are also of 4x4 material (cut at 45 degree diagonals, to fit nicely under the front and back of one of the front tires) and have sawn faces (read: rough); they DON’T slip, AT ALL (I highly doubt they’d slip even if wet); 2) while the front tires are still on the upward slope, the ramps are on level driveway; they DON’T slip, AT ALL either; 3) as stated earlier: so the oil drains properly, once backed onto the ramps, the car is level: even unchocked, it has NO tendency to roll in EITHER direction. Add to that the chunks of 4x4 at the high ends of the ramps (against which the rear aspect of the rear tires rest), plus the two heavy wooden chocks. Toss in the fact (not previously mentioned) that the hand brake is on and the car’s in either 1st or reverse, and I guarantee you that car ain’t going anywhere.

(AND, I have no worries about a jack seal blowing. :rolleyes: )

Set up as described, I DEFY you to push this car off the ramp. I feel as safe changing my oil with this set up as I do sitting in front of my TV in my bathrobe watchin' Monday Night Football. :)

I bought a set of Race Ramps RR 40's. They work great and don't slide or slip while you are going up. Made changing the oil super easy and they weigh in at 8.5 LBS.http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1431478348.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1431478364.jpg

Same here. Very easy.

Lift Bars
 

I use Lift Bars...

http://986forum.com/forums/performance-technical-chat/48554-liftbars-boxsters.html

I use a set of the rhino ramps from pep boys. They had a 30% off sale for orderign online and pikcing up in the store. They also come with wheel chocks.

Wow I like the Liftbars I wish I had known about them before doing my IMS bearing.

I opt to build a set of my own drive up ramps for doing my IMS bearing and future maintenance. The ramps allow me to bring the front and rear up. The front ramps are just high enough to slide under the car and when I back up all four wheel ride up on the ramps.


Home made Ramps

When changing the oil or just working under the car, I drive up on rhino ramps for the front wheels, then jack up the back till the car is level and use stands

Second the race ramp suggestion. Had mine for 4 years now, hold up great. I have the two piece ones and they pack up easily in a corner.