Question about ramps... - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

bmx672 · 03-17-2009, 04:44 AM

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.

Frodo · 03-17-2009, 05:07 AM

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.)

eightsandaces · 03-17-2009, 05:09 AM

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

kabel · 03-17-2009, 05:36 AM

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.

Frodo · 03-17-2009, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

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

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.

sd_boxster · 03-17-2009, 06:10 AM

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.

cas951 · 03-17-2009, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frodo

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.

+1. Ramp is a lot easier and faster.

FTD · 03-17-2009, 06:34 AM

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.

heyjae · 03-17-2009, 06:50 AM

+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.

ScottStu · 05-12-2015, 04:52 PM

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.

DMage · 05-13-2015, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottStu

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.

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.

Lil bastard · 03-17-2009, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

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

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

Lil bastard · 03-17-2009, 07:00 AM

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).

Chuck W. · 05-12-2015, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

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).

Same here. Very easy.

Jager · 05-12-2015, 07:53 PM

I use Lift Bars...

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

eightsandaces · 03-17-2009, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

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

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.

Frodo · 03-17-2009, 03:09 PM

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...

eightsandaces · 03-17-2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frodo

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...

cardiffgiant · 05-13-2015, 04:42 AM

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.

2K-986-S · 05-13-2015, 06:54 AM

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