DIY: Rhino Ramp extenders

[Laika]

So at some point you may have realized that although our cars aren't terribly low, the front bumper does protrude quite a bit. This makes it basically impossible to use normal ramps without any issues. You could get race ramps but they're about $300. Rhino ramps are about $30-$50 depending on the model. I saw someone the G35 forums do this and I thought I'd do it and include a write up for any beginners like myself.

Level of difficulty: 2/10
Time: 20-60 minutes

For this DIY all units are in inches.

Materials you need:
-2x 2x8x24
-2x 2x8x48
-16x 2.5 inch screws
-2x longer bolts (3+ inch)
-2x nuts for said longer bolts
-2x washers for said nuts for said longer bolts
-2x wingnuts for said bolts (optional)
-wood glue (optional)
-Marker
-Hammer
-Beer (required)

Step 1: Choose your wood! I went to home depot and picked out a 2x8x144. I had the nice gentleman cut it down to 4 pieces, 2 that were two feet and two were that 4 foot. While you're at your choice of hardware stores, pick out some screws/bolts/nuts/washers if you think you may not have this at home.



Step 2: Load up the lumber wagon.



Step 3: Find a miter saw or perhaps a regular saw if you enjoy challenges and lop off the edges of your pieces at 45 degree angles. Technically this step is optional but it just makes it slightly easier to drive your car up the ramps. I had a friend make these cuts for me because my miter saw wasn't quite up for it. Unfortunately his wasn't quite perfect for the job either so we made kind of a hash of it. Cuts weren't quite perfect so I stopped being so anal about this job before I even started.



Step 4: Once again fairly optional but I see no reason to skip applying some wood glue to the top of the bottom piece to stick on the smaller top piece. Have some fun with it! Make some designs, don't take it so seriously.



Step 5: Stop screwing around and properly apply some more wood glue. This is gonna support your car at some point, take it seriously.

Step 6: Figure out where you want to put your screws that will hold the two pieces together. You could probably do this on the bottom to make it clean on top if you like. What I did was put 3 screws on each edge and then two in the middle at opposite ends. Use an appropriate sized drill bt to make way for the screw and if you like, use a countersink bit to allow the screw to sit flush or even recessed a bit.

Step 7: This is one of those "measure twice cut once" steps where you want to make sure the hole for the locating pin lines up just right. Drill a hole all the way through, drop in your bolt+nut+washer combo.








Step 8: Sand, prime, paint, enjoy for years.

[xcelir8brz]

Good job! I personally use plastic motorcycle ramps with a low profile jack.

[notFRS]

phonebooks work as well.

[Jayde]

Hmm, don't know how I missed this. I'll be picking up a set of Rhino ramps for my oil changes and also making a set of these for myself. Thanks for the write up!!

[Jayde]

Curious, but where did you get your ramps?

[cnk]

Originally Posted by Jayde

Curious, but where did you get your ramps?

You can pick up Rhino Ramps at Pep Boys for $30.

[Jayde]

Originally Posted by cnk

You can pick up Rhino Ramps at Pep Boys for $30.

Cheapest local is $50 for the 12000 model. Shipping would be a killer if I bought it online. Not that far from my house either and in stock. I'll pick up a set next time I'm out that way then head over to Home Depot and get some ramp extenders made.

[cnk]

Just checked again on Pep Boys' website and it's $29 for the 8000lb ramps and $39 for the 12000lb ramps.

[Synack]

I want this:

[Moletheus]

Thanks for the diy. I just got some rhino ramps for Christmas and now I'm headed straight to Lowes to complete my ramps. I probably will sand and paint them just cause... Ill probably also put a little more angle on the cuts for a smoother ramp up. Again, probably not necessary but I like overdoing diy stuff.

This is my first oil change on my FR-S and thanks to this forum I know about Fumoto valves.. Ive been changing my own oil my entire life and had no idea! Needless to say I will be installing one. But I was wondering if after I install the 108s valve, will I even need to put the car on ramps for an oil change?

[Ralph Spoilsport]

If your car is stock height, all you need is two cut off pieces of 2x12 as wide as your tire.

[Terrapin77]

I've been think about going this route with the ramp & extenders so I can do my own oil changes. Does all the oil still drain out when the car is on the ramp?

[CamryDS]

make sure when you cut the wood at a bias, it's on the same angle as the rhino ramps -- you will eventually have the wood smack into your front bumper cover if you do not...

I can sit it flip up if you're not careful.

[frs10]

Originally Posted by Terrapin77

I've been think about going this route with the ramp & extenders so I can do my own oil changes. Does all the oil still drain out when the car is on the ramp?

yes