ramps + jack stands
 

So I'm going to change my trans. and diff. oil this weekend but I only have a pair of craftsman jack stands. So I was planing on backing my FR-S up onto my two rhino ramps (engage the e-brake) and then place the front of the car on the two jack stands.

Have any of you guys tried using ramps in conjunction with jack stands before?

If you do that, make sure you choke the wheels. Someone on the s2ki forum died from a similar incident. I never did it, but I believe you roll your front on the ramps with wheel chokes and use stands on the rear. Not sure if there's a difference in direction tho.

Actually sorry, I just read you're doing the trans/diff fluid swap. That's a bad idea because you want the surface to be close to being flat as possible, so use 4 jack stands.

I've done it but was always very cautious. Just go buy 2 more jack stands.

I don't back the rear on ramps. I drive up on ramps on the front and jack the rear. If you back up the rear, you won't have enough room to get the jack under the front bumper with the angle. My ramps have a little ledge to prevent the tire from rolling backwards and I'm on level ground, but I would still stick a wheel chock under it on the ramps just in case.

Always work on level ground. I drive the front onto ramps and then jack on the rear on to wheel cribs. I put chocks behind both front wheels and always use the parking brake and in gear.

Check out Race Ramps for some cool solutions, I use there stuff and they are great because they are super light weight so they are easy to move around and dont get in the way.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Op2OgS8HBw"]Race Ramps - Using Your Ramps - YouTube[/ame]

I'd just get another set of jack stands, thy aren't that expensive. Driving a RWD car up a set of ramps in front and jacking up the rear isn't a great idea.

since we're on the topic of ramps, are those any good?
http://www.harborfreight.com/magnum-...ock-67722.html

I'm looking for a set of ramps but don't want to spend too much.

Good point, didn't think about that.

I guess I'll just pick up another pair tomorrow (especially since they're on sale)
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-2-1-4...&blockType=G10

I agree that's way I thought about using the ramps on the rear but it looks like that wouldn't work either.

For $5 more you can get these: http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-ton...6&blockType=G6

I have them and they work great, plus there is a notch for the pinch weld to help you center it on the stand.

This is not true, I've done this while changing my exhaust. You can put your car on rhino ramps and then jack the car up using a low profile racing jack.

I have a racing jack from harbor freight. it's great -- and you get clearance. Though I admit the clearance is EXTREMELY minimal, so be careful when you lower your car

Good to know although most people don't have low profile racing jacks. It would also depend on which Rhino Ramps you have as they do have different height ramps available. In the end, it's safer just to use 4 jack stands if you need to get the entire car in the air.

That's true, though I guess I'm just lucky at that time.:D