I cannot get the max or my wife's celica up on ramps w/o scraping. How do you guys do it? Do you just use a jack and/or jackstands?

I cannot fit under there w/o some sort of height boost, either.

 

i use a regualr 4 point car lift

 

i use a regualr 4 point car lift

 

I use a lift and jacks....it just takes a few more steps to get it up. Basically, you will have to get the jack under the car (where the lift bar bolts into the frame) and lift it to a point where you can fit the stands under safely (I use the tow hooks). I then rest the car for a moment and then reposition the jack under the car to where I can get a better angle to raise it higher. After it is up higher, I move the jack stands to a more safer place (behind the front wheels under the load point) and I'm done. It's not as complicated as it sounds!

 

Thanks for the input...it seems excessive to have to use jacks and jackstands just to change the oil, btu I have them at the house, so why not. My ramps just feel like a real waste of money now...nothing I own can go up them!

 

Back the car into your driveway and hang the front end over the aprin. Gives you much more clearance because the aprin is sloped down! Then I usually just put my floor jack under the main support beam and jack it up a little more so I can get under it even better.

 

i just slide a low clearence oil drain pan under the car and drain it

 

I bought some 'low profile' ramps at the auto parts store and my car goes up them just fine. The are made of plastic, Rino Ramps maybe?

You could put a couple 2X8s or something just before the ramps to give you an extra 1 1/2 clearance.

 

I live in an apartment, so no apron to drive it up on. Good thought, though.

I can BARELY get my arm to the drain plug on the maxima because of the end-mounted drain plug, but the filter is a huge pain in the butt. I really need some clearance to get it off w/o spilling oil everywhere.

The Celica is another matter. I am stumped b/c the owner's manual does not even list where the drain plug and filter are located, so I do not even know where to start, and there is NO WAY I am fittign under that, even @ stock height.

And before someone suggests going on a diet, I am not too FAT to fit under there!

Good idea on the wood as a small spacer. 1.5" should be plenty of cpace to get the celica up there...

The box for my ramps showed some extensions I could buy, but I tossed the box and the store no longer carries them so I cannot contact the manufacturer until I figure out who made them...

 

walmart carries ramp extensions

 

I also own ramps, but was surprised to find that I did not need them recently when I changed the oil and filter on my 99 Maxima.

I simply removed the mud shield in the front wheel area on the passenger side. With this shield removed (4 simple screws), I had full and easy access to both the oil pan drain nut and the oil filter.

No ramps, lifts, stands, etc.

 

thats how i do mine.