Ramps or a Fast Jack

[bostonbronconut]

I couldn't help but look at the Amazon Prime Day deals for automotive items today and saw deals on jacks and ramps. Some of them looking pretty good while others looking like they are trying to catch people who don't know how to do math.

As mentioned in previous posts, I am going to try to do as much as my own maintenance and repair on my own but do not have a lot of the necessary gear to do so. What would you guys recommend as a reliable and safe method of raising your truck and getting underneath?

Ramps: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0117EETEK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

or

Jacks: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BMPFI6I/?tag=car-search-20

(Note: Links are for example purposes - not items I am considering at the moment).

Thanks!

 

[rmk57]

Personally I prefer jack stands and a good floor jack. Ramps you cant remove wheels or do brakes or some drive line jobs and such. I'd be scared to get underneath a heavier vehicle with those plastic ramps.

Big difference in price, but stands and a jack are 10 times more useful.

 

[Apogee]

Both are nice tools to have, but if you need to pick one, then I'd get the jack and some jack stands since they're more versatile as noted above.

 

[kylakekevin]

Jack and the larger jack stands from HF for me, the ramps are on the wall collecting dust never use them.

 

[Justafordguy]

X3, get a good floor jack and a large set of jack stands. I have an old set of ramps but haven't used them in years.

 

[56f100bbw]

With the above I don’t like ramps gave mine away years ago like rmk57 said not plastic

 

[Nothing Special]

It's been walked around here, but to be clear, do NOT work under a vehicle when it is up on a jack. As people have said above, get jack stands to support it while you are under it. The jack is for lifting it onto the jack stands.

And although I use a jack and jack stands a lot more than I use my ramps, I do still have and use ramps. But they are pretty much only used for doing oil changes on the short vehicles that my wife and sons drive (I can change oil on my Bronco and truck while they are sitting on all 4 tires). Ramps are quicker and easier to use in those cases, but for just about anything else I use the jack stands.

 

[SteveL]

Keep an eye out at garage sales. People darn near give away jack stands

 

[bostonbronconut]

Great feedback - I figured that the Jack/Stand combo was the way to go but I figured I'd ask the experts.

Thanks!

 

[bostonbronconut]

Silly Question: my research shows that a Bronco weighs around 4,000 pounds. This Arcan XL20 Black Service Jack can handle 2 tons; is it a safe assumption that since I am only lifting one side of a Bronco at the same time that this jack will do just fine?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BMPFI6...OSGbQMddHAY5Pz0g&slotNum=17&tag=car-search-20

 

[SteveL]

If that's one of the smaller steel floor Jack's spend the extra $$ for the adult version. If it's one of the lightweight fancy ones I haven't tried one yet.

 

[1strodeo]

if you indeed MUST decide between the two, then yes jack + stands is the way to go...having said that, whenever i work on my front or rear suspension and the Bronco needs to be supported by the frame, then I use the jack stands on TOP of my ramps due to the height. My ramps are old school steel ones I got for 10 bucks at a yard sale, as mentioned by SteveL that's where to buy jack stands too ;D

 

[Pa PITT]

... if Money is a issue I say check out Harbor Fright .
I believe their aluminum jack is 137.00 & They do have some nice jack stands .
.. Now I did like the looks of those ramps but Harbor Freight has them also.

 

[Soylent]

I have a 3 ton floor Jack and a 2.5 ton racing Jack with a set of small and a set of large jack stands all from harbor freight. Ramps are worthless IMO. Wouldn't even use them on my boys WRX or ST. 12 inches doesn't give you much room.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[66BlueGoose]

Ditto Harbor Freight

I use the 3 ton for day to day
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-steel-jack-stands-61196.html

I use the 12 ton for big projects, there are tall enough to get up to the frame so you can tear axles out.
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-jack-stands-34924.html

 

[SteveL]

Now if we could get hf to make a decent rti ramp.

 

[blubuckaroo]

I have both. I use ramps for oil changes on our passenger cars.
It's important to keep jack stands and real wheel chocks in a handy place. That way you're not tempted to take shortcuts.
I caught my oldest son changing the oil with only a floor jack because he couldn't find the jack stands.
That's when I showed him the old trick of driving a wheel up on the curb and changing the oil in the street. There's never a good excuse.

 

[bostonbronconut]

Looks like I'm heading to Harbor Freight for a jack and stand combo.

Does anyone have any complaints about the Pittsburgh Auto 3 Ton?
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton...vy-duty-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-64264.html

 

[Slowleak]

I have that jack and have had no problems with it. It does not lift as high as my old jack but works fine with the Bronco and is small enough to stay out of the way.

There is a coupon for $10 off on the website.

 

[Pa PITT]

I think it'd be a great jack If it's 78lb doesn't hamper you. After i've gotten old . I'm looking for lighter weight jacks . But if you only use yours in the shop Then the steel heavy jack are ok. & I still have an old JET Jack form my parts store. It must be 40 years old 2.5tom & Wt. 65# i think .. I hate having to load it up & take it to the pasture to fix something in the field .
SO I've been looking at H/F for the big aluminum to be on sale & Me have some JINGLE in my pockets.