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Auto Ramp Suggestions?

Discussion in 'General 4Runner Talk' started by Sleestaks, Nov 25, 2022.

  1. Nov 25, 2022 at 7:06 PM
    #1
    Sleestaks

    Sleestaks [OP] Shape-shifting Reptilian Alien

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    Recently bout some Rhino Gear auto ramps so I could do an oil change - my 18 Off Road crushed one of them, it's not even modded. Anyone have a good suggestion for auto ramps that won't get me crushed and don't cost $1000?
     
  2. Nov 26, 2022 at 11:01 AM
    #2
    alittleoff

    alittleoff New Member

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    Is there any chance that you or someone you know could make them?
    Back in the mid-70's, I made a pair out of 3/4" angle iron for a High School welding project. Granted it was basically free of charge for me and I still use them to this day.
    In fact my TJ's front end is parked on them while I change the oil and replace the hoses and -AN fittings on my remote filter.

    Another inexpensive project is to use short pieces of stacked and screwed 2x8's to form a ramp. You really only need 3 or 4 to get it high enough to lay under it.
     
    Rich60 and Sleestaks[OP] like this.
  3. Nov 26, 2022 at 11:27 AM
    #3
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

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    I second the DIY solution. With some scrap pieces of wood (2x4, 2x6, etc.) you can make a sturdy set of ramps. All you need is about 3 or 4 extra inches of height for easier oil changes and lubes.
    Tip: Use 4WD to pull the front wheels up the ramps, less chance of them getting pushed forward on a slippery concrete surface.
    727D6CED-59EB-4D7F-8ABF-FFFAFC42F65B.jpg
     
  4. Nov 26, 2022 at 2:02 PM
    #4
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    Are you serious? That’s worth contacting the company that makes makes them. How did it fail? Was it hot outside and it just kind of squished, or did it crack?

    I’ve been using the same stamped steel ramps for at least 20 years. They’ve held up fine but honestly I wonder if they are going to get to the point of fatigue eventually.

    I also have ramps made out of lumber as well and those things hold up pretty good, and probably safer than the plastic stuff out there now.
     
  5. Nov 27, 2022 at 8:57 AM
    #5
    Sleestaks

    Sleestaks [OP] Shape-shifting Reptilian Alien

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    one just kind of squished. when I was rolling up, girlfriend said they started tilting forward, so I backed off. when I did, the one on the passenger side compressed. I think you're right, I should probably contact them
     
  6. Nov 27, 2022 at 9:35 AM
    #6
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
    Were they on flat ground? How did they manage to tilt forward?

    I've heard of them cracking. But, I wonder if it's due to them being on uneven ground, or maybe people don't have them straight.

    I have 2 sets. No issues here. :notsure:


    PXL_20220926_225848844.jpg
     
  7. Nov 27, 2022 at 10:01 AM
    #7
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    I was just looking into rhino ramp failures on the internets and realized that some people had failures of sorts due to uneven surfaces. Just wanted to mention that, because using any ramp on a bad surface will cause problems.
     
    Sleestaks[OP] and 4runGirl88 like this.
  8. Nov 27, 2022 at 10:02 AM
    #8
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    jynx lol
     
  9. Nov 27, 2022 at 10:52 AM
    #9
    4runGirl88

    4runGirl88 Get a little mud on the tires!

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    Great way to wash the underside of your rig! Never thought of that. Thanks for the idea :D
     
  10. Dec 6, 2022 at 4:43 PM
    #10
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

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    I have some Rhino ramps I bought probably 20 years ago, and they're holding up great. I originally bought them because they were low pro enough that I could get my Firebird up on them to do oil changes. I've been using them on every vehicle since.

    I won't use the stamped steel ones. When I was a kid about 20 years ago, I had a buddy that had a old boat of a Dodge Charger, I think it was a 74. One of the ugly ones that really only got collectible recently.

    I stopped by his house and he was under the front of the car, with it up on those stamped ramps. He got out from underneath it, and he and I were standing there talking for a few minutes, and all of a sudden we hear BANG. We turn around, and see the car is at almost normal ride height again, the ramps literally collapsed flat under the front wheels. He turned back to look at me, white as a ghost, and said "man, I am REALLY glad you stopped by.
     
  11. Dec 7, 2022 at 6:49 AM
    #11
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    i got the full heebeegeebeez on that one. I think I’ll just finally make myself some ramps from 2x12 and 4x4s that I have laying around. Gonna make them crossgrain for good measure lol
     
  12. Dec 7, 2022 at 7:04 AM
    #12
    limitededition

    limitededition New Member

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    If you work on your vehicles a lot, invest in a set of QuickJacks. It's the safest route, bar none. I got a used pair for $800 and it's been the best money I spent on car stuff. Personally, I'd never trust my life on anything like a set of Rhino Ramps -- even if 99% are great, 1% failure rate (even if caused by the user) is too high.
     
    Sleestaks[OP] likes this.
  13. Dec 7, 2022 at 7:44 AM
    #13
    Spare Parts

    Spare Parts New Member

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    I don't know anything about those, except for a quick website search, and my first impressions, those leave a lot to chance.
     
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  14. Dec 7, 2022 at 7:45 AM
    #14
    slixx1320

    slixx1320 New Member

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    I recently bought the harbor freight ramp and have used it twice on my 4th and 5th gen 4runner. Instead of me driving forward onto them I reverse into them so that I have room behind the front tires to stick some 6 ton jackstands underneath. I also don't go completely underneath the vehicle as its not needed when doing an oil change. For heavy duty repairs that requires me to completely go underneath, I put these ramps away and use jackstands.
     
  15. Dec 7, 2022 at 8:39 AM
    #15
    alittleoff

    alittleoff New Member

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    I made a set (4) a couple of years ago to use as Moho levers. I used 2x8's and sandwiched 1/4" plywood in between the 2 by's, because the they will eventually split even if they're glued & screwed. The Moho is now gone and is in someone else's care but, I kept my ramps.
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2022
    McSpazatron[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. Dec 7, 2022 at 10:15 AM
    #16
    limitededition

    limitededition New Member

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    At some point -- you have to trust something and go with it. Regardless, I'd always use a good set of jack stands as a fail-safe.
     
    Sleestaks[OP] likes this.
  17. Dec 7, 2022 at 11:09 AM
    #17
    Spare Parts

    Spare Parts New Member

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    So I guess the more I spend, the safer I should feel? :infantry:

    I agree jack stands should be used.
     
    Sleestaks[OP] likes this.
  18. Dec 7, 2022 at 2:27 PM
    #18
    limitededition

    limitededition New Member

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    You're responsible for your own feelings.
     
  19. Jan 21, 2023 at 9:11 PM
    #19
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    I finally made some new lumber ramps and got to use them today. I made it out of scrap 2x10s I had laying around. These same 2x10s were used as makeshift traction boards to rescue my 4runner out of a bog at a friends farm a few months after I bought it. If not for these boards (and my buddies jeep, winch, and shovels…hours of digging, and a couple of gallons of drinking water) my 4runner would probably still be in that bog. These boards deserved a place of distinction below my 4runner tires. :D

    I used quality screws that predrill to avoid splitting, and I angled them slightly so they would work fight any tendency to split with time.

    They are stout. For one to fail, some sort of ground failure would need to happen first—like a sinkhole. They are also way higher than they need to be, but I like the extra height regardless.

    Here’s an action shot.

    8732FF9B-12D7-47EC-BCDC-E0C1791FE177.jpg

    Here are historical action shots from when the lumber helped save my 4runner lol (the dark boards on the passenger ramp are the ones completely buried at the bottom of the last picture).

    upload_2023-1-21_23-7-38.jpg

    upload_2023-1-21_23-9-23.jpg
     

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    Last edited: Jan 21, 2023
    acet7, 2ndGen22re, 2Toys and 5 others like this.
  20. Jan 21, 2023 at 11:36 PM
    #20
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

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    You have some good height there! :thumbsup:
    Even though I made mine about half that height and twice as long I get a little concerned I might drive off the back of them. So I’m thinking of screwing on a higher bumper of sorts on the end. So I can better sense the end of the ramp.
     
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  21. Jan 22, 2023 at 3:13 PM
    #21
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    Great minds think alike. I was thinking of another 2x10 piece vertically on end. I thought about just a small piece maybe half way up the end face, but it’s a better idea for it to cover the entire face all the way to the ground. Otherwise rolling into it could cause the ramp to tip forward.

    The only thing is that these ramps are already heavy enough lol.
     
    ElectroBoy[QUOTED] likes this.
  22. Jan 22, 2023 at 3:44 PM
    #22
    RunningBear

    RunningBear New Member

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    An old timer mechanic who works on classic cars said a while back that no matter what he uses to lift a car, he always puts some spare wheels / tires under the car so if the lift or whatever gives way, he won't get crushed. I.E. suggest always doing something redundant as a backup.
     
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  23. Jan 22, 2023 at 5:14 PM
    #23
    4runrr

    4runrr New Member

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    I have Rhino Ramps, but for oil changes I've found I can manage it with no lifting on my stock ORP. It's tight - but I probably save 30 mins setting up and taking down the ramps so worth it to me.

    Edit - I'll probably try out the wood ramps
     
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  24. Nov 10, 2023 at 1:47 PM
    #24
    ToyotFan

    ToyotFan New Member

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    I just bought a pair of the Rhino ramps 12k pound so that I can get a little more clearance to do things under my 4Runner like install the cat shield I bought. I've tried it a few times now going up the ramps in my garage and they keep slipping. Is it really okay to use 4WD to help with this? Do I need to take any other precautions once I've got it on the ramp while I'm working underneath it? I'd chock the back wheels of course and have the parking brake on.
     
  25. Nov 10, 2023 at 2:03 PM
    #25
    backpacker

    backpacker New Member

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    I get a lot less slipping by using 4WD, which I now do every time. I use parking brake and two chocks, nothing else.
     
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  26. Nov 10, 2023 at 2:22 PM
    #26
    Lc200

    Lc200 Member

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    I recently got a pair of the Rhino Ramps l, the one with 16000 GVW. Unfortunately one was already cracked from the front even before first use. Thankfully I did not try them yet.
    Now I am thinking if there is another brand that is not obscenely priced that I can try.
     
  27. Nov 10, 2023 at 4:00 PM
    #27
    ToyotFan

    ToyotFan New Member

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    That doesn’t make me feel better about using mine.
     
  28. Nov 10, 2023 at 4:09 PM
    #28
    Trekker

    Trekker Regular Member

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    This is why I use jack stands, I want some metal between me and the car. Not some cheap plastic that can degrade and crack with age, if you buy good stands they'll always work.

    If I were going with ramps I'd either do the stacked board trick or go for some heavy duty metal ones. I've heard of those plastic ones can shoot out from under the wheels, sounds terrifying
     
  29. Nov 10, 2023 at 8:14 PM
    #29
    TrueTexas

    TrueTexas New Member

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    I've been using the same set of rhino ramps since 2006. I only use them for my wife's accord and daughters camry when I change the oil. They have never let me down (no pun intended) but I do use an extra 4runner jack on the center jacking point to take some pressure off (again, no pun intended) before I get under the vehicles. Only takes a few min to position the jack but it makes me feel safer to have 3 points of conact.

    Key to the rhino ramps is making sure the tire is squarely on the ramp and not riding up on the side of the ramp.
     
  30. Nov 11, 2023 at 3:01 PM
    #30
    ToyotFan

    ToyotFan New Member

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    This helped me immensely, thank you! I was able to get the MillerCAT shield installed today with having my 4Runner on the ramps. I used heavy patio stones as rear wheel chocks and set the parking brake.
     
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