RiverRunner Posted February 1, 2009 Report Share Posted February 1, 2009 I have a "thing" about doing my own maintenance. I've always done it and I shudder to think of paying someone else to do something as simple as changing oil. However, I've been driving pickups and suv's for the last 20 years and other than the Shelby, I've had one other car which was my first vehicle and only had it a year if that. So this morning I was scratching my head wondering how the hell I was going to deal with a car that is only 5.5 inches off the ground. Here is what I did and it worked pretty well. 2 2x8's, a few screws and some "fitment testing" and got the car up 6 more inches. I just can't get any fatter or I'm in trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDT Posted February 1, 2009 Report Share Posted February 1, 2009 I like to use the car jack up and set blocks under the weels.......... The thaught of my clutch foot slipping at the top of the ramps???????????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellow pony Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 I made some some similar ramps. Works pretty well and it allows me to get a jack underneath to gain a couple of more inches if needed. -yellow pony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stump_breaker Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 I have a little oil change place close to me that treats my car very nicely. No problems at all with those guys. Of course I hover like a hawk after a chicken as well so it's not like they are unsupervised. Even then they do make mistakes. I went back inside this last time after the oil change before they closed the hood. When I got home the hood was not closed but held by the pins - they didn't latch it and just used the pins to hold it closed. Going to have to talk with Chris (the owner) about that one. I was going to change my oil but it's so much easier to let someone else do it and I don't need to worry about trying to recycle the oil.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grabber Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 I use Rhino rams and a board. Works great on my wifes GT/CS. Works great for my GT500 as well. http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x53/Gra...th_Ramps020.jpg[/img][/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goakley1 Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 I use the Rhino ramps, too... My driveway slopes upward to the garage and there is about an inch edge at the front of it. I place the ramps inside the garage and when the car hits the ramps, there is only enough space between the front bumper and the ramps to slide a piece of paper through it, but they don't touch. So all is good to change my own oil... Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeet Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 I found this link about a guy that made his own, basically the same idea. In his post he used them for a muffler change. home made ramps I have a "thing" about doing my own maintenance. I've always done it and I shudder to think of paying someone else to do something as simple as changing oil. However, I've been driving pickups and suv's for the last 20 years and other than the Shelby, I've had one other car which was my first vehicle and only had it a year if that. So this morning I was scratching my head wondering how the hell I was going to deal with a car that is only 5.5 inches off the ground. Here is what I did and it worked pretty well. 2 2x8's, a few screws and some "fitment testing" and got the car up 6 more inches. I just can't get any fatter or I'm in trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
64peter Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 I use TASCA FORD ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormeaston Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 I use Rhino rams and a board. Works great on my wifes GT/CS. Works great for my GT500 as well. http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x53/Gra...th_Ramps020.jpg[/img][/url] That's the same thing I do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormeaston Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 Oooops! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverRunner Posted February 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 Lots of good ideas. I tried a search but didn't come up with anything. If I had to do it over I'd make mine a bit longer. I thought I'd only need 3 layers but once I got the car up there it was obvious I needed more height. Definately need to be careful so you dont roll off the end. It was only $9 in materails so I might have to chalk these up as a prototype. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goakley1 Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 River, Why don't you just add another board to the bottom (making it longer than the last one) and nail or screw an "endstop" to the back of your ramp boards. That way you know when you're at the top and end of it... Just my .02 Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverRunner Posted February 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 River, Why don't you just add another board to the bottom (making it longer than the last one) and nail or screw an "endstop" to the back of your ramp boards. That way you know when you're at the top and end of it... Just my .02 Gary Because apparently that would be WAY to easy........ Need more coffee.......brain not working yet Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
08shelbygt/superbee Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 I use the rhino ramps and the board Idea too...I just don't ziptie them together...I can use them on both cars...I've had trouble with oil change places on regular cars like leaving the oil fill cap off and when I went back to retrieve it they didn't have it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbymotorsports Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 I would NEVER use any of those quickie oil change places like the one that has the same name as peanut butter but I have no problem with the Ford dealer. Most dealers have oil change specials to compete with these quickie lube places so for $14.95 to $19.95 I frequently use the dealer. Of course oil for the GT500 or synthetic oil adds more to the above prices. One of the reason I use the dealer most of the time is that if I ever have to fight a warranty claim its always going to be easier when you can show that their dealerships peformed the required maintenance on the car. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoDakMac Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 River, Why don't you just add another board to the bottom (making it longer than the last one) and nail or screw an "endstop" to the back of your ramp boards. That way you know when you're at the top and end of it... Just my .02 Gary I agree with the end stop idea. I built a pair of ramps similar to RiverRunners but put a block of wood at the end so I did not inadvertently run past the ramp edge. I think you would be in deep doggy dew if you fell off the end of those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
08shelbygt/superbee Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 I would NEVER use any of those quickie oil change places like the one that has the same name as peanut butter but I have no problem with the Ford dealer. Most dealers have oil change specials to compete with these quickie lube places so for $14.95 to $19.95 I frequently use the dealer. Of course oil for the GT500 or synthetic oil adds more to the above prices. One of the reason I use the dealer most of the time is that if I ever have to fight a warranty claim its always going to be easier when you can show that their dealerships peformed the required maintenance on the car. Steve Your probably safe with the dealer although I had a friend in high school that barely knew how to check his own oil and didn't know how to change it and he became the oil change guy at a local dodge dealership while in college...So your not getting a mechanic your just getting some kid fresh out of high school normally...Just FYI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtup1 Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 I found a deal on a NASCAR syle aluminum floor jack, allows for as little as 3 1/2 inches from the ground. I then ordered a Prothane jack cover for the pad. Works great and no scratches on the undercarriage. I really needed this for my Cobra because it sits 4 1/4 off the ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2007_Shelby_GT Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 I bit the bullet and bought the two-piece Racer Ramps. Being able to remove the back ramp piece after driving up makes it a whole lot easier to work underneath, especially with the new roller-creeper the wife bought me for Christmas! Sam AKA: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilmor Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 I use TASCA FORD ! LOL, they're going to do mine this week also! After my service agreement and warranty expire, I'll be doing my own changes with my Race Ramps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahmann Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 I use a low pro race jack for all the service/mods that I do. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
69dejavue Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 I found a deal on a NASCAR syle aluminum floor jack, allows for as little as 3 1/2 inches from the ground. I then ordered a Prothane jack cover for the pad. Works great and no scratches on the undercarriage. I really needed this for my Cobra because it sits 4 1/4 off the ground. I also use the NASCAR floor jack and a block of wood wrapped in a towel over the jack point. Then jack stands once up high enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueshawk Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 I have a "thing" about doing my own maintenance. I've always done it and I shudder to think of paying someone else to do something as simple as changing oil. However, I've been driving pickups and suv's for the last 20 years and other than the Shelby, I've had one other car which was my first vehicle and only had it a year if that. So this morning I was scratching my head wondering how the hell I was going to deal with a car that is only 5.5 inches off the ground. Here is what I did and it worked pretty well. 2 2x8's, a few screws and some "fitment testing" and got the car up 6 more inches. I just can't get any fatter or I'm in trouble. I use Race Ramps. Very light and easy to store standing up in the corner of storage area. I love them and don't use the old steel ones anymore no matter what car I'm working on. I have the ones with the stop at the end which helps alot. http://www.raceramps.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruces Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 I use Race Ramps. Very light and easy to store standing up in the corner of storage area. I love them and don't use the old steel ones anymore no matter what car I'm working on. I have the ones with the stop at the end which helps alot. http://www.raceramps.com/ I just bought these, are they nice to use should make things easier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbymotorsports Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 Your probably safe with the dealer although I had a friend in high school that barely knew how to check his own oil and didn't know how to change it and he became the oil change guy at a local dodge dealership while in college...So your not getting a mechanic your just getting some kid fresh out of high school normally...Just FYI Yup I have to agree with you on that. I had to school the Ford dealer that my Hertz car did not need the unique GT500 motor oil. He kept telling me that ALL Shelby's had to have that oil. Finally the tech came to the office and told the service writer that my oil cap didn't specify that oil like the GT500 does. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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