1969Mk3Spitfire Posted May 30, 2020 Report Share Posted May 30, 2020 Any (clearance) issues in using a pair of readily-available car ramps, front and rear, on a Mk3 Spitfire? I seem to remember reading, but can't find it again, to be wary of ground clearance/body fouling. Experiences and specific recommendations would be most welcome, thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted May 30, 2020 Report Share Posted May 30, 2020 Front valence would be the issue; not much clearance there at the best of times. You could always cheat - like I used to - and jack each front wheel sufficiently to set a ramp in under it... keeps the car supported but avoids having to drive up onto it, or off it again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkshire_spam Posted May 30, 2020 Report Share Posted May 30, 2020 50 minutes ago, Colin Lindsay said: Front valence would be the issue; not much clearance there at the best of times. You could always cheat - like I used to - and jack each front wheel sufficiently to set a ramp in under it... keeps the car supported but avoids having to drive up onto it, or off it again... Exactly what I do with my Spitfire 1500, but with my ride height at the front I'd have no chance getting up the ramp without tearing the front air damn off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyman Posted May 30, 2020 Report Share Posted May 30, 2020 I made a set of wooden extention "slopes" to get on to steel ramps years ago, it stopped the buggers sliding away as well. I dont have a low car anymore so no need for them. Tony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted May 30, 2020 Report Share Posted May 30, 2020 Owners used to roll carpet strips through the front edge and double back over to form a double layer, so that when the car drove onto the carpet the ramp couldn't slide away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted May 30, 2020 Report Share Posted May 30, 2020 Ramp "extenders" are very cheap (£15 pr) from ebay, or £40 from machine mart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTV8 Posted May 30, 2020 Report Share Posted May 30, 2020 I have a pair of the hydraulic ramps, the advantage being that when in the ‘down’ position they have a very shallow approach. If you have something incredibly low there are lead-on ramps available as well. mine came from eBay for not much money and included the lead-on ramps (not that I have ever actually used them!) ......... Andy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blubayou Posted May 31, 2020 Report Share Posted May 31, 2020 I've used classic spindly rusty 1960's style ramps both front & rear on my Mk4 for many years with no issues. They are quick to set up inspire much more confidence than axle stands. I remember my Morris Marina sliding sideways on axle stands, not an experience I'd like to repeat..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglefire Posted May 31, 2020 Report Share Posted May 31, 2020 I have 2 sets of ramps - both used a lot when I had my Land Rover Disco3- which weighed in at around 3tonnes. I can’t drive up them with the spitfire - though might be able to if I had extenders- but I also have a low start but high lift 3tonne jack which works a treat. and axle stands. One pair from Halfords and one pair I made myself when I was at uni. They were tested with a 10tonne press upto 7tonnes. Used a lot with the disco and now with the spitfire. Very stable in themselves. The only issue is where they support the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unkel Kunkel Posted May 31, 2020 Report Share Posted May 31, 2020 23 hours ago, AndyTV8 said: I have a pair of the hydraulic ramps, the advantage being that when in the ‘down’ position they have a very shallow approach. If you have something incredibly low there are lead-on ramps available as well. mine came from eBay for not much money and included the lead-on ramps (not that I have ever actually used them!) ......... Andy These look very similar to the ones I bought from “ C-J Autos” based in Heywood in Lancashire.( See website -they sell all sorts of car access equipment) As Andy says no problem about access - spoiler etc. Also they are very substantial and feel very safe and secure Highly recommended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trigolf Posted June 1, 2020 Report Share Posted June 1, 2020 I've had the old metal ones for years, but I never liked the way the angle iron edges press into the tyres. I got some wider one made out of reinforced plastic for my Golf, as the metal ones were too narrow. I was dubious about them initally, but they are incredibly strong, and about the same price as the trad metal style. They have a clever little built-in roller on the front edge that gets gripped by the tyre and stops them kicking out. They also stack neatly, which saves on garage space 😉 Gav Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTV8 Posted June 1, 2020 Report Share Posted June 1, 2020 15 hours ago, Vanadium23 said: These look very similar to the ones I bought from “ C-J Autos” based in Heywood in Lancashire.( See website -they sell all sorts of car access equipment) Yep - mine are CJ Autos variety - i think they have a newer variant which has a scissor-action, that allows it to be a little shorter, raises a couple of inches higher and doesn't 'arc' while it raises. The other plus-point is they have 4 lock-off positions, mine only locks at the max-lift position - i had not seen any of these available second-hand (yet) and they are a bit pricey to buy new. ....... Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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