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View Poll Results: Ramps or Jack stands?
Ramps 26 44.07%
Jack stands 33 55.93%
Voters: 59. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 03-19-2008, 07:09 AM   #1
mr2aniac
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Default What is safer? ramps or jack stands?

I'm having a debate with a friend who thinks ramps. I say jack stands.
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Old 03-19-2008, 07:12 AM   #2
imprezaowner27
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both if used properly
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Old 03-19-2008, 08:06 AM   #3
Doc Holiday
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Quote:
Originally Posted by imprezaowner27 View Post
both if used properly
^^ +1
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Old 03-19-2008, 08:24 AM   #4
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I personally dont like driving up the ramps - they never stay put when you drive up them... Also cant take the wheels off with ramps...
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Old 03-19-2008, 08:56 AM   #5
CC4nj
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gto7419 View Post
I personally dont like driving up the ramps - they never stay put when you drive up them... Also cant take the wheels off with ramps...
+1


i bought a set...used them like twice.
Proper jack and stands ftw.
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Old 03-19-2008, 09:04 AM   #6
GreasyJoe
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I also prefer stands, but not for safety but because they are easier to work around. Can also get the car higher.

I also usually feel safer puting the car on them, ramps move sometimes and I'm always afraid I'll drive off the end.

Stands can sink into soft surfaces though, and sometimes I worry abou the pin breaking. I've also seen really cheap ones that had the legs spread and bend.

I'd say they're both somewhat dangerous.
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Old 03-19-2008, 10:28 AM   #7
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I use ramps with the little extenders in front so the front doesn't hit. I've got a concrete driveway so no problem with sinking. Changing/rotating wheels and tires, I use a hydraulic jack and stands. (ramps used for oil changes) RP
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Old 03-19-2008, 01:26 PM   #8
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I use the ramps(plastic) a lot for the speed factor but as above some jobs you just cant do on the ramps. I feel the ramps are safer from a tipping standpoint just because they have a bigger footprint. I use them so much and the AWD on the Subarus makes driving up the really easy for me but ymmv.

So for me ramps first if you can use them for the job.

ss
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Old 03-19-2008, 01:59 PM   #9
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A buddy of mine was working on a friends LS1 and had the car on jack stands fixing the starter or replacing it when the starter jumped and the car tipped off the stand onto him. This is a guy who does all his work and very experienced. It shows that anything can happen.
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Old 03-19-2008, 02:07 PM   #10
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both are reliable if used correctly.
i prefer jack stand over ramps because it feels more stable.
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Old 03-19-2008, 05:05 PM   #11
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stands
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Old 03-19-2008, 09:00 PM   #12
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Use a lift.
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Old 03-19-2008, 09:45 PM   #13
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ramps... either are safe if used correctly, but with ramps there is less of a chance of squishing yourself. Once you are safely on the ramps the actual risk to yourself is almost non-existent. And getting it on the ramps isn't a risk to you, just the car if you don't know how to drive and overshoot.
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Old 03-20-2008, 10:55 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blackfang View Post
A buddy of mine was working on a friends LS1 and had the car on jack stands fixing the starter or replacing it when the starter jumped and the car tipped off the stand onto him. This is a guy who does all his work and very experienced. It shows that anything can happen.
that's why you disconnect the battery when working on something like that.
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Old 03-21-2008, 01:14 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc Holiday View Post
^^ +1
^^ +2
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Old 03-21-2008, 01:50 AM   #16
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...I don't like my ramps because I have to use 2x4s to drive on first because my car is too low for them.
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Old 03-21-2008, 02:09 AM   #17
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What are you trying to do? If the car is going to be up for a while with wheels coming off (i.e. - suspension install) then jackstands are the way to go.
If you are changing your oil or installing a rear sway bar then there's nothing wrong with ramps in my opinion.
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Old 03-21-2008, 04:04 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rkramer View Post
ramps... either are safe if used correctly, but with ramps there is less of a chance of squishing yourself. Once you are safely on the ramps the actual risk to yourself is almost non-existent. And getting it on the ramps isn't a risk to you, just the car if you don't know how to drive and overshoot.
Agreed.
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Old 03-21-2008, 04:15 AM   #19
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both have a place in the garage but ive never had any problems with stands... ive heard stories of them falling and im cuirous what kind where they using? b/c i could probably shake the hell out of my car trying to knock them over and it wouldnt. also what kind of floor are they on, concrete... dirt...?
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Old 03-21-2008, 11:43 AM   #20
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I'm paranoid - I use ramps, then place jack stands and leave the floor jack in place as backups if I am going to be underneath the car. Oh and wheel chocks too on the opposite end.
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Old 03-21-2008, 02:47 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by imprezaowner27 View Post
both if used properly


+1


There are many jobs where it is just quicker to drive up a "quality" set of ramps vs. jacking and jack stands. Ramps have their place in the shop.

Quality jacks and jack stands can get a vehicle higher then what most ramps can.

Plus jacks/stands are multi functional, they can be used in place of ramps. Ramps can't always be used in place of jacks/stands. Lets see you rotate wheels on a set of ramps .

Key thing to safety is to make sure what you are working with is of quality construction. There are cheap thin sheet metal ramps/jack stands that are spot welded together at the joints that are death traps waiting to catch some one. Always make sure the working load of the ramps/jack stands you are using is greater then the weight of the vehicle you are supporting.
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Old 03-30-2008, 12:31 PM   #22
DKup
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In my opinion jacks stands are used incorrectly. Most people wont spend the time to put the entire car in the air and support the vehicle correctly. This is why you hear of folks having the car fall on them. If the jack stand is not level and not placed on a spot on the vehicle that is both structuraly sound as well as sitting level on the top of the jack stand, then yes it will be prone to tipping over. Wheel chocks will help, but really the entire car should be supported on 4 jack stands. I have (4) 4-ton jack stands that I use for both my STi and my 69 Ford Bronco. I also have a 4-ton hydralic floor jack that gets both my vehicles up in the air as EZ as pie. The few extra seconds it takes to get the opposite end of the vehicle supported is worth it since I know I won't get squished like a bug.
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Old 03-30-2008, 01:24 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by imprezaowner27 View Post
both if used properly
I would agree with this.
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Old 03-30-2008, 01:36 PM   #24
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They are apples to oranges; different tools for different jobs. The stands are more versatile but require a jack and a little bit more thought. Ramps are definately more idiot proof and less useful if you want to do suspension work.

I recycled a set of steel ramps a couple of years ago. I clearly remember thinking, "I will never ever use these".
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Old 03-30-2008, 06:01 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by imprezaowner27 View Post
both if used properly
...and another +whatever
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