My newest Harbor Freight purchase

[flyboy2610]

Getting a bit older as I am, I have grown tired of having to use the jack and jackstands every time I need to get under the mini vans ( a '98 Voyager and a '99 Grand Voyager) to do anything, especially fluid changes where removing the tire isn't necessary. So I decided to get some ramps. I looked at all the usual suspects (vendors) and it seems nowadays they are all made out of (get this) PLASTIC!
I Know it's supposed to be high grade heavy duty stuff, but somehow the though of getting under a vehicle supported by plastic just doesn't bring me peace and comfort, knowhutimean, Vern?
So in yesterdays mail, I get a flyer from Harbor Freight. And right there on the back page, what do you think I saw? A pair of STEEL vehicle ramps!
I got online and looked up what others had said about them. Aside from the complaints of the low slung Matchbox ricer crowd that they can't get their ground huggers onto them, most people seemed pretty pleased with them. There was one reviewer that said he added some reinforcements to them, and one person said when he tried to get his truck on them, one of the ramps collapsed. I decided to go ahead and get them and add some reinforcements as well.
So, here they are out of the box:



I picked up 4 pieces of 3 foot long 1/4" x 1" steel, and 2 pieces of 4 foot long 1/8" x 3/4" steel bar.


I cut the 1/4x1 steel to match the contour of the bottom of the ramp, and the 1/8x3/4 I cut into 8 1 foot long pieces. I then welded the steel across the bottom of the ramp, and used the 1 foot pieces to form an X on each side. One of the ramps is complete, except for paint, and the other I will finish tomorrow. I feel pretty confident that these are will hold the vans.


And an added bonus? They were "Born in the USA!"


Next weekends project is a tranny fluid and filter change on the '99 Grand Voyager. I picked up a new Dorman pan from AutoZone, this one has a drain plug. So I'll only have to do the tranny fluid down the armpit routine once. I also have a new pan and filter for Frodo. I'm hoping to get that done by winter.

[HIO Silver]

Have ya thought about adding something in the front so ya don't overshoot?

[Madman]

I always felt like I'd drive over the edge when I used those damned things! I know I wouldn't but call it an irrational fear, kinda like Obama being voted in for a third term!

[Bumpside Collector]

I always felt like I'd drive over the edge when I used those damned things! I know I wouldn't but call it an irrational fear, kinda like Obama being voted in for a third term!

Driving over the edge isn't too irrational. I did it once!

[dbarker]

yeah if they have a shallow dip, you may not feel it and overshoot... it can happen

[Ranchero50]

I've never overshot one but I've had them shoot out from under the car if they were on smooth concrete. That sucks.

[flyboy2610]

Have ya thought about adding something in the front so ya don't overshoot?

Good idea. I think I'll get some 1" square tubing and make a barrier for the front.

I've never overshot one but I've had them shoot out from under the car if they were on smooth concrete. That sucks.

One reviewer suggested getting some rubber mat and putting it under the ramps on concrete. I'll probably do that also.

[ToughOldFord]

Heh heh heh, about a year ago I went to specifically buy the plastic ones. I've had two sets of old steel ones forever, but as I get older they get heavier, (weird, huh?), and I'm tired of bashing my shins with the damn things when I walk 'em to whatever vehicle I'm working on.

The plastic ones are great, lightweight and my shins are happy. Of course I only use them on the cars or the S15, the 3/4 tons still go on the steelies on the rare occasion they need to be on ramps.

[iwhodat]

I looked all over for steel ramps and couldn't find any. I wound up buying some used steel ramps from some chick on Craigslist for $30. Thanks for the heads up about Harbor Freight. It's awesome that they are "Made In America"!

[Stealth69]

Collapse? What was he putting up ther a kenworth? V10 dodge trucks don't collapse mine and that is 8500 lbs.