zliminator Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 I don't have a garage or even a driveway to work on so I build a car ramp by cutting a hole in the ground and lining it with blocks. http://www.hampleman.com/ramp.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 Just be careful!! Those blocks cannot hold very much weight and they do have a tendancy to crumble!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsunlover Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 Well, I used 4 of those all last winter to hold up my car as I worked on it.. I set them on sheets of plywood (on dirt, in my 'portable garage' in the backyard.) and put 2x8 lumber on top of them which the car sat on. Do NOT use them on their side (Ie through holes parallel to the ground) but stand them as they are in that pic. I also had two jack stands under the front end at the t/c rod area (just behind them actually, where there was somewhat of a 'frame' left) You have to be careful not to drop the car on them too hard, and make sure they are SQUARE cause they can tip as well as crumble. It'll work, you just have to be carefull. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolane Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 I definitely agree with Tim240Z on this...BE CAREFUL! Those bricks can crumble easily, regardless of the way they are placed. I have seen people use them for holding up lifted trucks (yes heavier, but still the same) because their jack stands are not tall enough. I have done it myself when in a crunch. I would highly recommend making something out of wood instead, maybe use a railroad tie or other large peice of lumber. It is not worth being crushed by your car! Joshua Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zliminator Posted January 1, 2005 Author Share Posted January 1, 2005 put plywood under each layer. I like the idea of 4x4s. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaleMX Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 No bricks! Lumber only! We want you around! I just picked up a block today and it fell apart in my hand! If you can afford to work on your car then you can afford a cheap set of jackstands with wood underneath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280Zone Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 That looks like such a good idea and bad idea all at the same time. I admire your determination but I would find a safer method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zliminator Posted January 2, 2005 Author Share Posted January 2, 2005 I'll keep out from under it until I can find some RR ties Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olie05 Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 just get some jackstands and pave a section of all that as a driveway... much safer than anything else. BTW I like the oil cooler! -Oliver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferd/289 Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 I agree, loose the blocks. THEY BREAK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Magnum Rockwilder Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 I have PERSONALLY met a man who had an "incident" under a car that had its two front wheels sitting on two cinder blocks. He said it sat like that for months with no problems. Then he was underneath and he had a buddy sit in the car and turn the key, and as soon as the guy sat down the blocks busted and the car fell on him. The crossmember smashed his head between itself and the ground and busted his face up pretty bad... he wears an eye patch and his face droops. He also broke is shoulder and some ribs. You couldn't PAY me to lay under your car... and I'm a risktaking redneck! Use a bunch or 4x4's stacked together... or railroad ties if you can find them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgia Flash Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 Yep I have said it on here before, it is not a pretty site to see someone dead under their car. I know I have seen it before. A 16 year old crushed by his NASCAR style race truck. He was working alone in his garage and using only a hydro-jack. The jack slipped and the truck came down on his neck and crushed him. Bad thing is the kid had about 8 sets of jack stands lined up against the back wall of his garage when this happened. It was a sad thing to see. Be careful I have also been told about the crubling block issue before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 240zJake Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 Fill the blocks with cement and rebar and off set the joints, then it will be safe. My house is held up by these blocks, so use CORRECTLY they are perfectly safe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 My friend dropped his car on himself once. He was stuck under it until his wife found him. He was using a spare tire jack to change the oil. Luckily he made it out ok (lots of cushion for the pushing) I've seen some pretty crazy stuff happen working on vehicles... and it all goes through my head when I jack up a car. I get it placed on jack stands, then shake the car around to see if it will move at all. I'd much rather dump it off the stands then instead of having it fall on me later. Good move not getting under it until you make it safer. Great idea, just needs some work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EZ-E Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 I must say I like your inginuity(sp?) and your want to make life easier for you and working on your Z. Most definetly though, you want to use something that wont give way without warning like thos bricks At the very least fill them and sure them up with concrete. Be careful and take the suggestions that others have mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike kZ Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 Cut some 4X4s to fit vertically in the concrete cylinder holes, that should support the board you drive up on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest trickz Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 DO NOT USE THE BLOCKS!!!!!!! in my younger years I was working on my 56 corvette (in the basement late at night by myself) the blocks supported the axles,no wheels as I was working on the chunk. Both blocks broke and the axle fell on my chest. I freaked,!!! when I finely squeezed out I called it a great night and cleaned up.I HAVE JACK STANDS (lots) ,RAMPS TOO ,AND 3 JACKS AND I USE THEM!!!!! TRICK Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody 82 ZXT Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 I seen it a ton of times that those bricks are a bad idea. If you have a Harbor Frieght or something similar around get some cheap jack stands and use those. They really arn't that much and are so much safer. Ofcourse there's always the metal or plastic ramps at autoparts stores. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsun327 Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 as im sure its been said a 1000 times be careful. but i must say it is a great idea. how that for thinking outside the box Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zliminator Posted October 29, 2005 Author Share Posted October 29, 2005 I have redone the ramp using 4x6's - if you're interested. I opted not to use blocks. http://www.hampleman.com/ramp.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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