Homemade low-rise ramps, would you trust these?!

[davidsneal]

So I got myself the car I've been dreaming of a couple of weeks ago, a B7 RS4, and couldn't be happier!! (first post!)



I'm getting bits together to do a bunch of self-servicing, e.g. an oil and oil filter change. Having already spent a stack getting the car, oil, tools etc - I figured I'd try and save a bit of cash and make my own low-rise ramps. I've seen a few people have made this for various cars of theirs, but before I drive my pride and joy onto them, I just wanted to see if people think it's a terrible idea or not!



Left-over decking, wood glue and some screws... I intend to coat the bottom in rubber to prevent them from slipping, any suggestions welcome!

[Seattle squash]

So I got myself the car I've been dreaming of a couple of weeks ago, a B7 RS4, and couldn't be happier!! (first post!)



I'm getting bits together to do a bunch of self-servicing, e.g. an oil and oil filter change. Having already spent a stack getting the car, oil, tools etc - I figured I'd try and save a bit of cash and make my own low-rise ramps. I've seen a few people have made this for various cars of theirs, but before I drive my pride and joy onto them, I just wanted to see if people think it's a terrible idea or not!



Left-over decking, wood glue and some screws... I intend to coat the bottom in rubber to prevent them from slipping, any suggestions welcome!

I probably give them a go, assuming that your decking boards and handle the crushing, with a couple of considerations. First I make sure the steps are long enough to create some play as needed without going back. Second, the top step is the shortest with the least connections and surface are and therefore take the highest stresses in glue and screws. So assuming that you can't make the top step longer at a minimum I would pre drill and put some more substantial screws and quantyties there without splitting the wood. SDS screws or Lags would give you some more capacity. Otherwise looks good. ;)

[65vetteC6]

I wouldn't worry about that from a strength perspective. Its not going to collapse on you. But will you catch your bumper? Should have tried to cut the peices at an angle to make it a little easier to drive up. Im not sure whats available for you on amazon over there but these are pretty cheap: https://www.amazon.com/RhinoGear-119...words=car+ramp

[davidsneal]

I probably give them a go, assuming that your decking boards and handle the crushing, with a couple of considerations. First I make sure the steps are long enough to create some play as needed without going back. Second, the top step is the shortest with the least connections and surface are and therefore take the highest stresses in glue and screws. So assuming that you can't make the top step longer at a minimum I would pre drill and put some more substantial screws and quantyties there without splitting the wood. SDS screws or Lags would give you some more capacity. Otherwise looks good. ;)

Thanks for the reply :)

The last block is just there to stop driving off the end too easily, the three steps before it are all 20cm long, hopefully that'll cut it?

[davidsneal]

I wouldn't worry about that from a strength perspective. Its not going to collapse on you. But will you catch your bumper? Should have tried to cut the peices at an angle to make it a little easier to drive up. Im not sure whats available for you on amazon over there but these are pretty cheap: https://www.amazon.com/RhinoGear-119...words=car+ramp

Thanks for the link and suggestion, I'll see what I can do about getting an angle added on each step for sure!

I had looked at those ones, found out about them from the oil change DIY I plan to follow - http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...Oil-Change-DIY


They look like a bargain in the US, these are the closest I could find in the UK and they're quite pricey £69.99! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Heavy-Clear.../dp/B00KRGZVP6

Edit: The bumper is about 9cm from the ground, each step is 3cm tall so fingers crossed I'll be safe! I'll stick them under the wheels and have a look first though, thanks for the thought.

[nr103]

I wouldn't worry about that from a strength perspective. Its not going to collapse on you. But will you catch your bumper? Should have tried to cut the peices at an angle to make it a little easier to drive up. Im not sure whats available for you on amazon over there but these are pretty cheap: https://www.amazon.com/RhinoGear-119...words=car+ramp

^^This, I have a set and they're perfect for the price. Only thing I'd mention is that if you're lowered they may not work. I have coilovers on my RS4 and it's too low to get started on the ramps.

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[Mr Hyde]

Congrats on the new ride!.

I use the Rhino Gear ramps on my car without issues. Not lowered though, so will need to reassess once I swap my suspension.

[A4Kasey]

Are you using them just to do self service? Or are you trying to get over speed bumps with these lol?


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[Blackstallion]

This Is what I had to do once lowered - don't seem to have a pic of my car but you get idea...

[GrandMarkie]

This Is what I had to do once lowered - don't seem to have a pic of my car but you get idea...

Nice! I have RhinoRamps and I can back onto them without issue (im lowered), but I have to do this ^^ for the front.

[dufferdude]

Mine are exactly like Blackstallions. But I attached a 4' 2x10 and it works great.
You will need something when you lower the car.

[chucklando]

Race Ramps makes really nice products that are worth the buy. They're mostly for getting your ultra low car onto and off of trailers, but they also work for working under the car. They're really long, I think usually around 8 feet, and have the option of being two piece to make them more manageable. I got a set of "tow ramps" for getting onto/off of flat bed tow trailers, but again the use can be extended to a lot of things. I think I paid around $350. They're also really light which is nice.

[Seattle squash]

Nice! I have RhinoRamps and I can back onto them without issue (im lowered), but I have to do this ^^ for the front.

Good news guys - solved our problems with lowered cars; buy these! And, you can get them in time for Christmas.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Race+Ramps/101...FdgKgQodIBkKvQ

[14S4GWM]

Beautiful ride op!

[dufferdude]

I'd buy one of these for a few hundred more.

[davidsneal]

Beautiful ride op!

Thanks :D

[blubusdrvr]

Good news guys - solved our problems with lowered cars; buy these! And, you can get them in time for Christmas.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Race+Ramps/101...FdgKgQodIBkKvQ

Holy crap. $1500 for ramps?! OP, why not just get a floor jack and a pair of jack stands? You'll eventually have to do brake work or change out winter wheels etc.

[musanoadsaba]

Those woodies will work as mentioned if they don't catch the front end.
Another Race Ramp option is the RRXT2 if you are lowered.
The 2 piece is nice if you want to crawl under right behind the front wheel as the ramp piece can be removed while the car is on the ramp.

[2photors4]

I looked at the plastic ramps but they were not quite the size I wanted and pretty expensive. These are not for working under a car but make good, light, extended ramps. Made in an afternoon, they are 1' wide cedar board frame screwed and glued together and covered with 1/2" plywood and sprayed with Armour Guard bed liner which is what I have in the bed of my truck and on the floor of my trailer. 18 pounds of wood per ramp which increased to 28 pounds with bed liner (The liner is heavy but super strong and water and oil proof). I think this is actually a little lighter than the same size plastic ramp. These are 7" feet long and had to double fold to be able to hang on the door. I made these for less than $100 plus $100 for the bed liner. The first hinge is so I can swing it under the lip of the trailer door so that the door is supported with the weight of the car on it. There is actually a 2x6 under the trailer door on the thick end of the ramp. There is aluminum angle to protect the edge that grinds into the ground when you swing it down. They tie down to the trailer door. I had the door springs tightened a little to close easier with the extra weight. No longer have to find a place to tie down my ramps in the trailer. I looked into the compression strength of cedar before building this. Even though cedar is light, the compression strength is very high and way more than adequate assuming the load is from the top and not on a side angle.

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[WinterRunner]

Thats solid ^^

[Striddy]

I just made a set last weekend out of 2x16s. They work brilliantly!

[Terry.Reese]

I just made a set last weekend out of 2x16s. They work brilliantly!

about to do the same.

[lorengphd]

I'd buy one of these for a few hundred more.

Link? Does this fit in a standard garage? I've been looking for a good low profile lift.

[dufferdude]

Link? Does this fit in a standard garage? I've been looking for a good low profile lift.

http://www.maxjaxusa.com

[S4orgy]

Sketchy or nah

[blubusdrvr]

http://www.maxjaxusa.com

Wow, not bad. Gotta put this on my wish list. I had a full size drive on lift in my old house and used to park my daily under it. I miss it.

[blubusdrvr]

These are nice. Not a bad price either.
http://www.discountramps.com/car-rep...frZBoCF1vw_wcB

[VinnysS4]

One thing I've noticed going lowered, I have to use a 2×4 to get onto my rhino ramps, and even then, there is not much room to work. Your ramps look fine. And I'd only get under that car S4ORGY is talking about if I saw it in person or built it myself...just saying.

[davidsneal]

So I got up the ramps no trouble. Only problem is that they don't seem to be as high as I may need

Anyone with experience know if it'll be possible to get to all the screws for the belly pan with only this much lift?

[dufferdude]

Should be able to, except for the 3 rear ones?
Getting it back on might be a pita?
One more piece of wood might help?

[davidsneal]

Should be able to, except for the 3 rear ones?
Getting it back on might be a pita?

I imagine it will be quite a pita, have heard it can be regardless of space. May need to extend it somehow!

[WinterRunner]

just add a forth, longer piece on the bottom, or even a 2 step, should have plenty of clearance then.