jim968

There is one type of metal ramp with plastic end-pieces that will work with our low cars, tho' they're scarcely perfect. I'll look tonight to see if there's a maker's name on them.

Problem is that they tend to skid on a conctete floor (smooth finish, but no sealer or wax) as you try to drive the front tires up onto them (rear seems to work fine). My solution was to mark the location, then drill two holes per side in the concrete at the front (vertical) edge of the ramps. When I use them, I put large nails in the holes; this is a good enough stop to keep the ramps from just sliding forward while you drive onto them. Once the weight of the car is one the ramps, it's perfectly safe. just be sure to take the nails up when you're done.... <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" />

Jim, wondering why they lock gas station restrooms... are they afraid someone will clean them? <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" />

Hans

Jim [quote]I'll look tonight to see if there's a maker's name on them. <hr></blockquote>
Thanks in advance, I am very interested(and not realy that happy with my current make-shift ramps...)
Will be an nice job to find out if they are also marketed in Europe.

wondering why they lock gas station restrooms... are they afraid someone will clean them?
Ohh...is it that? Than the dimmed blue light must be camouflage...

TakeCare

jim968

Hans (and anybody else interested), the ramps are made by "Tru-Cut Automotive" on Elm Ave. in Salem, Ohio, 44460; 1-800-634-7267. That's from the info molded into one of the pieces. I've had them for about two years, so don't know if they are still in business.

See my post above about their tendency to slide on smooth concrete while you're driving up on them. Not a real big problem, but you may need to drill your floor for pins like I did (split heater hose 'feet' did _not_ work).

Each ramp consists of a fairly conventional one-piece stamped metal ramp, with two interlocking plastic wedges that form an extension to the approach end of the ramp. This is what makes them work with low cars.

I consider the company I got them from to be less than ethical, so I won't post their name. Someone else may recognize the product from their catalog and do so if they wish. A little research should turn up an alternate source with less mark-up, anyway.

Jim, AKA "The Customer From Hell"

Hans

Good morning Jim, that is realy fast.
Thanks for info
TakeCare

&gt;edit&gt;&gt;
<a href="http://www.autoramps.com/catalog/ultraplus.htm" target="_blank">http://www.autoramps.com/catalog/ultraplus.htm</a>

TakeCare

jim968

Hans, good work, & thanks for the link... I forgot about it last night, and didn't have time this AM to do a search for the site. That's them. The standard (upper one on the web page) is what I've got, tho' both plastic parts are molded in black. This set is quite adequate for our cars weight-capacity wise, and will probably store more compactly than the heavy-duty model(the metal ramps pretty much nest into each other for storage).

Link provided by Hans, if you missed it above...

<a href="http://www.autoramps.com/catalog/ultraplus.htm" target="_blank">http://www.autoramps.com/catalog/ultraplus.htm</a>

Jim, satisfied user, no affiliation....

Hans

E-mail correspondense with Tru-Cut automotive below:

&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;
----- Original Message -----
From: Arnold, Trina
To: Hans
Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2002 2:52 PM

Hans,
I'm sorry, but our ramps will not be suitable for 12 inch wide tires. The widest that the tires can be is 9 inches. There is a U.S. manufacturer that makes a plastic ramp that I believe can be used for 12 inch wide tires. However, I am not sure that it will have enough clearance for your car. The manufacturer's name is Blitz and the ramp name in Rhino-Ramps. Maybe they will be able to assist you.
Thanks for your interest.
Trina

-----Original Message-----
From: Hans
To: Arnold, Trina
Subject: Re:


Hi Trina

Thanks for the fast response
I am looking for ramps for my Porsche 944 (6 inch floor clearence -12 inch wide tires, wall to wall).
I am thinking of your UR6500 with extention kit.

Can you inform price "ex works" and shipping dimensions / weight.
I can figure cost for transport and import to Europe & VAT out from here then.

Thanks in advance

Hans
----- Original Message -----
From: Arnold, Trina
To: Hans
Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2002 1:45 PM
Subject: RE:


Dear Hans,
We have no representation in Europe. Are you looking for a particular product?
Best regards,
Trina Arnold
Sales Dept
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

That is another good idea down the drain...

Jim: Sure your tires fit?
The 968 does not use wheelbarrow wheels do they?

TakeCare

jim968

Hans, I'm running stock 16" wheels & tires. The fronts fit fine; the rears are a little snug, but fit.

If you _really_ want to use these, there's a way, but your tire edges will overlap the edges of the ramp. The interference for wide tires is caused by the guide lip formed along the edge of the ramp. From memory (ramps at home, me at work), it's about 1 to 1.5 inches deep.

You could cut some lumber to fill in between the guide edges, and use a wooden stop at the end of the ramp. You'd have to be careful driving up to keep centered, and it'd take some creative cutting to make the end of the lumber match up with the the plastic wedge end, but it could be done. I've thought of filling in the guide lips on the flat top with lumber to get the extra 1.75" of clearance under the car. I'll probably do this when I find some scrap 2x8 lumber (using carriage bolts to hold it down and fasten a tire stop).

Obviously, there are some potential safety issues in doing this, but I don't think they will be a real problem if reasonable care is used.

BTW, I've used the plastic Rhino ramps. They are about the same overall width, just with very little of an edge guide. They also will slide on concrete, even though they have a rubber 'foot' at one end. I'll post a width measurement this evening after I get home.

Jim, 'way too much stuff in his garage....

JAH

concerning ramps:

I have a set of ramps from walmart that cost $28 and are made entirely from plastic (they claim to be able to hold 12,ooo lbs. and the packaging showed a picture of a Chevy Suburban up on them), they are not very high (raise the tires about 8 inches off the ground) and the car has no clearance problems (though I have a 924S, perhaps the 951 valence and air dams, ride height etc. are lower). The ramps have rubber feet and don't slide. They work well, they weigh about 5 lbs. and get the car off the ground enough to easily get under it and work.

Jonathan Martini

Jack stands are about $20 for a set of two and Pep Boys has a 2-ton jack that fits under a 944 (although not by more than 1/2 an inch) for $20.

So two jack stands and hydraulic jack for about $40 or 4 jack stands and jack for $60. No clearance problems. No slipping. If you ever want to have the wheels off while your working on something a ramp won't cut it anyway, and its not safe to rely on a jack by itself.

Although ramps can be way more convienient.

THE Mike D.

Dug,

It's not rocket science but the two most important things are:

Safety first
Quality tools

Never be afraid to try it yourself first. If nothing else anything you do will be a learning experience. There are plenty of instructions on replacing, repairing or rebuilding anything on our rides. Just get the right set of directions and take your time.

Happy tooling!!

Mike D.
<a href="http://members.rennlist.com/madmike/" target="_blank">85.5 944NA LM6Y</a>

jim968

I did a little quick measuring last night. Both the plastic Rhino ramps & the metal Tru-Cuts are about 11.25 inches wide. The difference is that the Rhino's have almost no guide edge, so the full width is usable, while the Tru-Cuts have an raised guide edge that's about 1.25" wide (each side) and about the same deep. So the Tru-Cuts tire trough is a little less than 9 inches wide.

Jim, "Take out the fortune before you eat the cookie...."

Dug

Jesus ... what a super bunch of people you are. Thanks to everyone who replied. I shall now hot foot it down the road and come back with some decent tool's ;-)
Thanks everyone.
Dug

Lemon Yellow 87 n/a

YO!!

Hans

Jim
Thanks for measuring.
I found out that both makes are not normally available in Europe, no alternative either.
So I create my own one time: detachable ramp, foldable pedestal.
A floor space saver type would be ideal for me anyway.
TakeCare