Recommendations for steel service ramps please

[toolguy]

Have 5th gen trail and starting to plan on did fluids.

I like the idea of using ramps for fluid change services.

Any recommendations on all steel reasonable price (upwards of $150 range) for the pair.

Would like the ramps to have generous headroom load rating and also be used for a few camrys in the driveways.

Thanks guys

 

[Jivewalker]

I just jack it up 2wheels at a time and stack 2x6 blocks under the wheels for my wifes camry. Couldn't see driving it on ramps.

Have done the same for the 4runner, but usually just shimmy under there without them and have never had any clearance issues.

 

[llDemonll]

Solid Steel Auto Ramp Set

13,000 Lb. Portable Vehicle Ramp Set

I have the plastic ones. Very easy to use, wouldn't trade them for the steel ones if give the option. No qualms about weight capacity.

 

[thennen]

Solid Steel Auto Ramp Set

13,000 Lb. Portable Vehicle Ramp Set

I have the plastic ones. Very easy to use, wouldn't trade them for the steel ones if give the option. No qualms about weight capacity.

I want to get a set for doing my wife's Rav4, and maybe the Runner, too. What is it that you prefer about the plastic ones versus steel?

 

[toolguy]

I just jack it up 2wheels at a time and stack 2x6 blocks under the wheels for my wifes camry. Couldn't see driving it on ramps.

Have done the same for the 4runner, but usually just shimmy under there without them and have never had any clearance issues.

Havent done this yet..so question..you dont have issues dropping the skid plates without lifting (my TE is stock with KDSS)

 

[Whippersnapper02]

I went with RaceRamps because my GTO is lowered. They are more expensive than steel but they are light, they don't slip on my garage floor and are rated at 2500lbs per ramp.

 

[llDemonll]

Havent done this yet..so question..you dont have issues dropping the skid plates without lifting (my TE is stock with KDSS)

yes. stock height you can't drop the front skid plate without at least a few extra inches of clearance due to the way the hooks on the front edge of the skid plate are constructed

I want to get a set for doing my wife's Rav4, and maybe the Runner, too. What is it that you prefer about the plastic ones versus steel?

They have twice the weight capacity and they won't randomly rust. They've also got small rubber pads on the bottom so they wont slip on garage floors

 

[Jivewalker]

Havent done this yet..so question..you dont have issues dropping the skid plates without lifting (my TE is stock with KDSS)

No issues dropping the plate at all and I'm fully stock. Take the front bolts out first and there are nice little hooks on the front that hold the front up while you take the two rear bolts out. Some people grind them off, I didn't and actually like them. You can also just reach back and get the small plate off the oil drain plug area. Just don't over tighten them when you put them back, they will strip/wear out over time. There's a good oil change thread on the site if you search for it. The rear diff is super easy if you drop the spare tire. Haven't done the transmission, transfer case or front diff yet, but they look easy as well.

 

[Jivewalker]

yes. stock height you can't drop the front skid plate without at least a few extra inches of clearance due to the way the hooks on the front edge of the skid plate are constructed

That's not correct unless something has changed, I do it every 5000k and I'm at 180k. You have to pull it forward to get it out and push it back in per hook design.

 

[toolguy]

That's not correct unless something has changed, I do it every 5000k and I'm at 180k. You have to pull it forward to get it out and push it back in per hook design.

Holdon..what is this pull forward and push it back trick to get the hooks out ? Pls. ...

 

[Dillusion]

Holdon..what is this pull forward and push it back trick to get the hooks out ? Pls. ...

Its not a straight drop.

Try look at the hooks if you push it forward you can then pull it back out. It doesn't need to go completely vertical.

Best solution is to lift the 4R. No need for ramps or anything for fluids.

 

[BobsTrail]

I did my first few changes without raising it. Got tired of that and thought about ramps, but a floor jack and jack stands works well.

 

[ElectroBoy]

No issues dropping the plate at all and I'm fully stock. Take the front bolts out first and there are nice little hooks on the front that hold the front up while you take the two rear bolts out. Some people grind them off, I didn't and actually like them. You can also just reach back and get the small plate off the oil drain plug area. Just don't over tighten them when you put them back, they will strip/wear out over time. There's a good oil change thread on the site if you search for it. The rear diff is super easy if you drop the spare tire. Haven't done the transmission, transfer case or front diff yet, but they look easy as well.

Yep. I agree.
I have an 18 ORP. Stock suspension and tire size 26570/17.
I’ve removed the front skid several times for oil/filter change with no special jacking, lifting, or ramps. Just gotta wiggle the front hooks a little to get them to release or line up for re-installing. Maybe earlier models had a different hook setup that made it a real pain to deal with.

 

[Jivewalker]

Just to add, most fluid changes require a level vehicle. Like stated above, a half decent floor jack and 4 jack stands would be a solid investment! Ramps would be handy for some things though, but not ideal for fluids unless you can somehow drive up on 4 at the same time which would be highly sketchy I think.

 

[Dillusion]

Why in the world would you jack up all 4 tires for an oil change?

 

[jhguth]

I have plastic rhino ramps that i've used for years, they look less likely to fail than steel ramps

 

[Jivewalker]

Why in the world would you jack up all 4 tires for an oil change?

You wouldn't, maybe just bad bad writing on my part. Just trying to help the OP out. My point was a floor jack and 4 jackstands would be a good investment over ramps IMO. Can't do brakes, shocks, tire rotations, or a lot of other suspension checks/work on ramps. My other point was the camry/runner should be level for fluid changes and checks, not front high on ramps. For the camry, use a low profile floor jack on the center lift points and stack 2x6 blocks under each tire to keep car level. Thats how I do it on my wifes. Cant get ramps under the back tires and not so sure you could ever get the front on ramps, approach angle is very low. For the 4runner, I just get under there and change the oil, no jacking needed.

 

[Arnezie]

Just adding my .02 I bought a aftermarket skid plate RCI and now I do my oil changes without removing the skidplate. It has a window that comes out with 2 Allen bolts for the filter door and the drain plug hole is big enough to easily remove the plug. Just another idea.


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[gp55445]

I have plastic ramps but don’t use them anymore. Also the TRD skid makes life a lot easier for oil changes and other maintenance.

 

[toolguy]

Yup already bought the arcan 3 ton jack and 6 ton jstands for 4Runner and 3ton jstands for the camrys

Taking a look at ramps as someone recommended ramps for fluid changes as an easier set process than jstands

Can you change differential front and rear without jacking.

First up is oil change for Camry and differentials fluids front and rear for 4runner