DIY ramps. Cheap, Simple and Safe.

[charchri4]

My ramps are DIY ramps that are simple to make and much better than most store bought ramps. They work well for lowered car and you can get the riser out of the way which is really nice.

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/2.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/3.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/31-1.jpg


http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/11.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/111.jpg

The tops of the bases are 11" wide by 20" long and raise the car 9". The bottom part of them are 11" wide by 24" long. Mine are nearly all wood I had lying around and you can do the math to figure out that is a lot of feet of 2x4s!

The risers or actual ramp part is 54" long and the tops of them are 2x10s. The reason for the little hunk of 2x6 at the top is because a 10 foot 2x10 was quiet a bit cheaper then a 12" 2x10 so I just added on to it. The boards under the deck are 2x4s laid on their side. Using them alone raises the car 5".

Everything is screwed together with LOTS of 2 1/2" sheet rock screws.

They are very stable and I feel really comfortable under them. If you want to add a safety feature you could put a little tab down on the riser to lock it into the base. Or you could go up from the base into the riser. I was planning on doing that but never did. I've used these for years and never had one move.

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/95.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/94.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/96.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/97.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/98.jpg

By the way the trick to getting the risers cut exactly right is put the tops up on a 2x4 and scribe a line on your riser boards like so:
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/99.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/1065.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/100.jpg

The dents you see in the top of them are from using them as jack stands. Often when I have it up on the ramps and pull a wheel I just kick the ramp under the car and set it on it. It's the perfect height to sit right on the jacking point of the car or under the K member.
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/101.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/102.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/103.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/104.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/105.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/106.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/107.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/108.jpg

For little stuff or oil changes I use just the riser part which is the main reason I never put the tab in them that would lock them to the deck.

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/109.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/110.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/112.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/113.jpg

I have a set of just stands made the same way for the rear. Sorry for the lousy photos, they are built the same as the front ones with stops front and rear since they can not be driven up on.
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/Ramprear1_zps814c8ba7.jpg (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/charchri4/media/DIY%20Alignment/Ramprear1_zps814c8ba7.jpg.html)

The astute eye will catch they are one level higher than the fronts. As I get older I find it more confortable to be a little higher. I made a shim layer for the front to have it level for 4 wheel alignments.
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/ramprear2_zpsf93315b3.jpg (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/charchri4/media/DIY%20Alignment/ramprear2_zpsf93315b3.jpg.html)

[Agent☣Orange]

Thanks for the ideas all all the great photos!

[jnshk]

Great info and nice presentation! Even though I just bought some "race ramps" to replace the old wooden ramps that I'd made years ago, I can definitely appreciate a good set of wooden ramps and stands. Your design is much better than my original ramps were, and it is nearly identical to the ramps I just purchased. For someone looking for a good set of ramps on a shoestring budget, you've hit the nail on the head!

[Agent☣Orange]

I splurged for Race Ramps too. Which ones did you get? I got tired putting planks before my regular ramps, scooting them out of place and getting out of the car to realign them over and over. I didn't have the lumber or energy like the OP to make a nice set of DIY ramps.

[wannafbody]

Nice Camaro, I have a 2000TA WS6 the same color

[Phatmiata]

I would feel much safer with this setup vs the plastic ones from AutoZone (made in China)

And I have a TON of free wood as we get in lots of palletized shipments at my office!! Thanks Given for the great ideas and write ups!

[jnshk]

I splurged for Race Ramps too. Which ones did you get? I got tired putting planks before my regular ramps, scooting them out of place and getting out of the car to realign them over and over. I didn't have the lumber or energy like the OP to make a nice set of DIY ramps.

I went with the Race Ramps "RR-TKTR-RSE". The dimensions and design are remarkably similar to those in this DIY.

[Agent☣Orange]

Man, I don't even know what RRTKSETKRSE means.

[Thumper13]

Man, I don't even know what RRTKSETKRSE means.

It means a man who has an appreciation for the best.light weight and multipurpose ramps and COST is no option. If you're tracking a lot and you have ramps instead of a lift gate these are the must have service ramps ( low 400.00 range )

[Agent☣Orange]

The part I like best about charchri's design is the two-piece funcionality.

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/charchri4/DIY%20Alignment/31-1.jpg

[RedNeckSmoker]

for all us DIYers outhere here is the best site i have found,and some of the coolest tools,ramps,stands etc almost anything your DIY heart could desire http://www.homemadetools.net/categories