Car ramps - how high?

[AndyPembs182]

I’m planning on buying some car ramps - the time has come to de-rust and sort out the underside of my 182! So here’s the question: can anyone recommend a pair which give additional height over the standard? Most seem to be about 20cm (8 inches) - is there anything out there that’s higher?

 

[Nathan105e]

I aren't sure what your budget is, a mate of mine has a set similar to this and we've Done some decent jobs on it!

 

[Chambers_RS]

I aren't sure what your budget is, a mate of mine has a set similar to this and we've Done some decent jobs on it!

i have one of there and struggle to the list the Front end up, always lifts the rear of the car. Am I doing something wrong? 😂

 

[Nathan105e]

i have one of there and struggle to the list the Front end up, always lifts the rear of the car. Am I doing something wrong? 😂

I believe some tilt and pivot and don't actually lock. So it's a case of lifting up, sticking an axle stand under the subframe or axle for the ones that pivot, don't blame me if doesn't work though 😬😂

 

[Robbie Corbett]

They also really get in the way of stuff.

I did the underside of mine last year and honestly the best (unless you have a proper ramp!) Is 4 tall axle stands and a trolley jack which is able to lift the car high enough.

The stands only cover minimal parts so you are able to clean/derust/paint more in one hit.

Further, if you were thinking of more conventional ramps which you drive up... Your going to need to have the wheels off for most of any decent underside work which makes them a little useless imo. Majority of your work will be at the rear end so you can likely get away with just two tall axle stands.

 

[Robbie Corbett]

i have one of there and struggle to the list the Front end up, always lifts the rear of the car. Am I doing something wrong? 😂

I did much of my Escort using one of these and I think I usually lifted the front (or jacked) and used axle stands to keep it up.

Then was forever wiggling through it, they look very handy on paper but in use they are a bit of a chore.

 

[MiseryStreak]

Thought I would chuck this on this old thread, rather than make a new one. I just ordered these ramps from Autodoc, they are currently £28.29 on the app, which I thought was pretty cheap:

www.autodoc.co.uk/yato/16371451

Will need extension ramps (or bits of wood) to work with the Clio, or virtually any non-SUV modern car.

If they're s**t I'll update the thread.

 

[JimF]

I'm reading that link as £28 each, is that right?

 

[Robbie Corbett]

I have a pair of these, much cheaper versions available but I wanted something I would feed safe putting the RR on, I've use them so much, 100% worth their money and super stable.

They worked fine for the Mini which was pretty low, the VX, RR so far, loads quicker than jacking up with stands.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[R3k1355]

I'm reading that link as £28 each, is that right?

View attachment 1701026

A pair from Halfords is only £45

 

[JimF]

I remember seeing some with a bottle jack under the flat section so you could really increase your chances of injury.

 

[SharpyClio]

Even with the "low car" extensions these ramps are no good for me, maybe my car is lower at the front than some but its not even close to going up these ramps without ripping the splitter off and damaging the bottom or the bumper. I shall be selling mine when I pull my finger out.

 

[Robbie Corbett]

Even with the "low car" extensions these ramps are no good for me, maybe my car is lower at the front than some but its not even close to going up these ramps without ripping the splitter off and damaging the bottom or the bumper. I shall be selling mine when I pull my finger out.

I find it's fine if you drive onto a little bit of wood first, doesn't take much to miss the splitter. I did manage to wheel spin one out once which scared the s**t out of me.

 

[MiseryStreak]

I'm reading that link as £28 each, is that right?

View attachment 1701026

I just got back from holiday and my ‘Car ramps’ had finally arrived in a huge box. I get one out and unravelled it from the 200 metres of packing paper then went to remove the other one…oh.

So yes, the price is for one, which explains why they’re cheaper than Halfords. Currently £22 though so about the same at the moment, and the quality looks good.

 

[Brigsy]

Axle stands over ramps all day long. Way too much aggro getting a lowered car onto ramps and then usually in the way.

Best thing you can do is buy a low profile jack with 100mm plate. Safe and can get to the chassis rail underneath so no need to wreck the sill.

 

[MiseryStreak]

Axle stands over ramps all day long. Way too much aggro getting a lowered car onto ramps and then usually in the way.

Best thing you can do is buy a low profile jack with 100mm plate. Safe and can get to the chassis rail underneath so no need to wreck the sill.

I have a trolley jack that fits under the sills and axle stands. The reason why I hate jacking the Clio up is due to the soft sills, I use a slotted hockey puck but they still get bent. Whereabouts do you put the jack on the chassis rail? And then where do you put the axle stands?

 

[Robbie Corbett]

I try not to jack off the sills at all if I can avoid it and prefer suspension looking parts with blocks of wood.. can be annoying when you also want to put a stand under.

 

[Brigsy]

Use the box section as pictured here and axle stand next to jack. Its solid and a proper low profile jack will reach it no problem on a lowered clio.

 

[dann2707]

I try not to jack off the sills

LOL