Well I finally got around to drawing up the plans I had for a set of ramps i've been thinking of building. It's 4 separate parts: 1 ramp, 2 wheel supports, 1 mid piece. Since these are all separate parts, once you drive your car up onto the supports, you can remove the mid piece, giving you access on both sides.
The wheel supports are made out of 2x4's, with the ramp being a 2x10, and the mid piece being 2x12's w/ 2x4 supports
Also, the way the wheel supports are designed, having to worry about the car possibly rolling shouldn't be a problem at all - - the wheel sits inbetween the two 2x4's laying perpendicular to the wheels (the pink pieces)....
I got the idea from the set of ramps that my dad had made when he was a kid, and they work great...even in neutral the car won't roll off the blocks. Unfortunately, they, along w/ all other ramps on the market today only allow to lift one end. I figured these would be a cheap alternative to a hydraulic lift, and provide the same basic clearance. As they are currently designed, the wheels will sit at a height of 10" from the ground; putting the underbody around 12-15 inches from the ground, allowing room for a creeper to be used and not having your face buried in the floor pans.

Anyways, please give suggestions, criticism, questions...and if anybody wants the AutoCAD file, or more detailed drawings (different views, dimensioned drawings, etc) just let me know.

 

i recomend more support for the part of the ramp that the car uses to climb up it. doesn't seem like it would be sturdy with just a wood plank like that. Are you a decently skilled welder??? because a plan like that done with steel would be bulletproof, it would cost more and you design would have to be modified according to the available materials, but i think it would be better in the long run. i do like the idea, i HATE jacking up my car, i'm verrrrry scared i'll put a jack through my floor or something. good luck!

 

doh! I had supports for the ramp drawn in my other prototype drawings...just forgot to include them in that one. Pretty much it'd be just 2x10 stock, turned upright and cut to length and angle of the ramp....figure 3 or so of the supports underneath would be good.
Surprisingly, the ones that i use right now don't have any support underneath the ramp and are still good. Like i said my dad made them when he was a kid...over 30 years ago, and the wood is still intact

About making it out of metal, that is a very good idea....unfortunately I don't have any skill w/ welding (trying to find a class around here tho) but I figure i could find a friend or have some shop do it. I'll try and draw up some designs for a metal set... figure 1" square tubing (or whatever size) will be the framework, w/ aluminum sheeting on top for the car to travel on.

Hmm...perhaps i could turn this into a business venture???

 

looks like a good idea, i have seen something like that at a buddy of mines house. and yes i agree more support under the bottom of the ramps. also i would make it about twice as big as your tires, just for safety. but looks good let us know how it turns out.

 

doh we replied almost same time, i was typing as you were lol.

 

bak, they sell videos and handbooks about welding. i'm sure you could learn. as for the bussiness venture, make sure those bad boys are strong, might get sued if someones car falls on them.

 

I wouldn't trust myself to drive up that, I would prob fall of and small the car. But you prob have practice using your dads. Be safe, dont turn the wheel to much.

 

Well you really don't need to turn the wheel at all...just set them up in front of your car and drive up them. Funny that you mention that tho... I did manage to drive over the end of em one time in my camaro, and it scared the hell out of me. First the left tire went off and that side came crashing down, then when i went to put the car in park and take my foot off the brake, the right side came crashing down too. Luckily it wasn't that far of a fall and the car landed on the frame, w/ the only damage being a cracked ground effect on one side

 

i remember my brother drove his malibu up the ramp, over the ramp and on the ramp years ago. didn't do any damage, but boyyyyyy was he freaked. he had just gotten the car, it was sweeet, but it was no excuse, our dad is a mechanic, so driving up a ramp is learned before riding a bike

 

Wow, thats actually a really good Idea, much faster than jacking the car up and setting it on jack stands.

 

I would try and figure out how to make them bolt together, and quickly unbolt after the car is up their. Them being all individual pieces to me would make them slide easly, where if it was one large piece, it wouldnt. Also put some of that grip stuff on the incline. And make sure the incline is not to large, otherwise your nose will drag. My two cents, but I do like the idea.

 

I like that idea. If the center section was not attached to the two end sections that woul leave a lot or room to work. My one gripe is with the design of the end pieces. The way you have them set up the resultant forces from the wheels will not be applied straight down, but at an angle. This will put stress on your fasteners rather than on the material. The center section is overkill, but better safe than sorry. I doubt the center beam on your house is that heavy. Good work though, I like to see ingenuity where ever it might be.