Ramps

[beachrog]

I want to start doing my own oil changes rather then spending $38 and going no, I don't need a coolant flush, no, my differential fluid doesn't need to be changed, no, I don't need anything besides my oil changed.....

Problem being, I'll need a pair of ramps. I remember my dad's old ramps, big heavy steel suckers. All I'm seeing now are plastic. They state they are rated for 12,000 pounds and I know my '97 K1500 isn't that heavy, but, plastic? Kind of scary.

Could you all chime in, I assume they couldn't sell them if they weren't good for the application, but plastic? And would I need the 12,000 pound version or is the 8,000 pound good enough? There's like a $50 difference between the two...

[jdmccright]

GVWR for your truck is only around 6,500 lbs and the ramps would be holding up a little more than half that (call it 60% to be safe) for the front wheels, so just under 4,000 lbs total. The 8,000 lb ramps should be sufficient giving you a 2:1 safety factor. Those ramps are fiber reinforced plastic, not your typical pop bottle stuff.

An alternative would be to buy a set that includes a floor jack and jack stands...I've seen some for ~$60...but make sure it can handle the weight you're going to be jacking up.

Heck, if you want an extra feeling of safety, buy the ramps AND some jack stands...6,000 lb stands go for $20 or so. I'd suggest a drip pan too...pulling the oil filter off is messy. Good luck!

[beachrog]

I've got the jack stands and the drain pan. I worry about my floor jack though, would feel better with the ramps. I'm just trying to be more self-sufficient. I like where I go for oil changes, but it's $38, I can get oil and a a/c delco filter from wal-mart for about $20. Plus, if I'm comfortable with it and can do my wife's van, ya figure $18 X 8 times a year (4 for mine and 4 for hers), that's like $144 a year I don't have to come up with. Plus it lets me use some of those tools I have in the garage that I haven't touched for years.

Ahhhh, there was a time when I had more money than time and having someone do it made sense. Now it's the reverse, I got more time than money, plus I don't mind getting a little dirty.

[beachrog]

Holy Crap!!!! I just got back from Wal-Mart, what an adventure. I stood there in the oil aisle confused as all could be. I felt like I do when my wife sends me to the store for some of those things ladies tend to need. There were so many kinds, I wasn't sure what to get. I'd been doing some reading lately and felt somewhat confident until I got there.

I ended up getting a big jug of Valvoline MaxLife Synthetic Blend 5W30 for my 1997 K1500 4WD. Don't know if I did the right thing or not....

[beachrog]

Holy Crap!!!! I just got back from Wal-Mart, what an adventure. I stood there in the oil aisle confused as all could be. I felt like I do when my wife sends me to the store for some of those things ladies tend to need. There were so many kinds, I wasn't sure what to get. I'd been doing some reading lately and felt somewhat confident until I got there.

I ended up getting a big jug of Valvoline MaxLife Synthetic Blend 5W30 for my 1997 K1500 4WD. Don't know if I did the right thing or not....

[jdmccright]

Gotta love Wal-Mart....

Though I'm sure you'll get opinions from anyone and everyone, I personally use that same oil for as long as they've sold it, with the odd exception of them being sold out or an insanely good sale on Mobil oil. Not a fan of Castrol, Quaker State, or Pennzoil.

The jack should be rated at MINIMUM 4,000 lbs...6,000 is better, but if it'll do for now then you can look ahead to a good Craftsman floorjack. Remember it's not being used to support the truck, just get it up in the air to put the stands under, though personally I try to leave it under and partially engaged if it isn't in the way. Others can chime in for additional tips, but when it comes to working under any vehicle, safety is paramount.

[Schrade]

Originally Posted by beachrog

Holy Crap!!!! I just got back from Wal-Mart, what an adventure. I stood there in the oil aisle confused as all could be. I felt like I do when my wife sends me to the store for some of those things ladies tend to need. There were so many kinds, I wasn't sure what to get. I'd been doing some reading lately and felt somewhat confident until I got there.

I ended up getting a big jug of Valvoline MaxLife Synthetic Blend 5W30 for my 1997 K1500 4WD. Don't know if I did the right thing or not....

Yikes! Confusion sure ain't good! You probably got the right stuff tho'. But just in case, we'll get some marshmallows and a long stick, and watch for smoke.

Seriously tho', now that you're gonna' start savin' $$$, you really need to SAVE the $$$.

[bigcoconut]

I used to have good set of steel ramps, I've had for almost 20 years. My son (17 years) and his buddy decided one day to work on his exhaust and they used the ramps. Mind you, just a little jeep pickup truck, baby size, not the big one, they managed to squash one of the ramps. Apparently they don't take forward loading to well, my sons buddy freaked just as he got to the top of the ramp because he was going to fast and slammed on the brakes sending the ramp into a full fetal position.

First, I learned I can change the oil on my truck with out them, a little tight fit but doable. However, the wifes van is another story, so off to Wally World. Got a set of those pastic ones for $40.00. Had to drop the fuel tank on the Venture van, drove the front end up on the ramps and jacked up the a$$ end on to a set of jack stands. Sat there for two days, no problems.

The only issue is the front wheel drive wheels (Venture van) tried to spin on the plastic surface. I'll have to go get some rough surface stuff to put on the ramps so I can get up them without spinning the drive wheels.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by beachrog

I want to start doing my own oil changes rather then spending $38 and going no, I don't need a coolant flush, no, my differential fluid doesn't need to be changed, no, I don't need anything besides my oil changed.....

Problem being, I'll need a pair of ramps. I remember my dad's old ramps, big heavy steel suckers. All I'm seeing now are plastic. They state they are rated for 12,000 pounds and I know my '97 K1500 isn't that heavy, but, plastic? Kind of scary.

Could you all chime in, I assume they couldn't sell them if they weren't good for the application, but plastic? And would I need the 12,000 pound version or is the 8,000 pound good enough? There's like a $50 difference between the two...

I went through this ramp selection years ago....then my co worker suggested oak ramps...so I got my chain saw and cut out a very strong solid oak ramp....its about 36inches long and has a 6inch lift...12 inches wide..


I also have 12ton bottle jacks that I use when needed...

I don't trust those made in china things...I trust solid oak....

[beachrog]

Had my father-in-law over this weekend. Plastiramps held up alright. I got the Rhino Ramps 12,000 pound set, not for the weight but for the width of the tires. They held up fine, but I still worry about plastic getting brittle in the cold or just weakening with age.

Oil change went fairly smooth also. Missed the pan when I pulled the drain plug, but my father-in-law said that always happens. Not sure why they put the filter right over the drive shaft so it drains right on top of it, but all in all, we had a good time.

Was looking for grease fitting and only found six, upper and lower ball joints and one on each tie rod I think it was. Seems like there'd be more.

Thanks for the encouragement and wisdom.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by beachrog

Had my father-in-law over this weekend. Plastiramps held up alright. I got the Rhino Ramps 12,000 pound set, not for the weight but for the width of the tires. They held up fine, but I still worry about plastic getting brittle in the cold or just weakening with age.

Oil change went fairly smooth also. Missed the pan when I pulled the drain plug, but my father-in-law said that always happens. Not sure why they put the filter right over the drive shaft so it drains right on top of it, but all in all, we had a good time.

Was looking for grease fitting and only found six, upper and lower ball joints and one on each tie rod I think it was. Seems like there'd be more.

Thanks for the encouragement and wisdom.

don't forget the idler /pitman arms and always check these on your vehicle for wear....very commom ..

[bigcoconut]

Ditto, on both ends of the tie rods and the pitman and idler arms. On my 1/2 ton I have 9 grease fittings. That's just on the front end. I also have them on my u-joints (driveshaft).