[Ironliftr3]

Newbie question as I’m approaching my 1,000 mile oil change –

What’s the preferred, and most economical, way to get under an Ecoboost (18 inch wheels if that matters) to do basic things like oil changes? The metal ramps I have are too steep to use. Race Ramps are a bit out of my price range and beyond what I feel I need (oil changes a couple times a year). Anyone have any alternatives they’ve found to be low profile enough? I’ve seen some plans to build ramps using 2x10’s, but with the price of lumber it’s almost cheaper to buy ramps.

Anyone know if these would be a low enough angle? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NLJVZ2D/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=A1UMBRA5ZTBCX8&psc=1

If a jack and stands are the recommendation, what do you use for jack/stand points? I’ve seen a lot of conflicting information on using the pinch weld for the jack, or jacking from elsewhere and using the pinch weld for the stands.

Thanks!

 

[Forklift Guy]

Newbie question as I’m approaching my 1,000 mile oil change –

What’s the preferred, and most economical, way to get under an Ecoboost (18 inch wheels if that matters) to do basic things like oil changes? The metal ramps I have are too steep to use. Race Ramps are a bit out of my price range and beyond what I feel I need (oil changes a couple times a year). Anyone have any alternatives they’ve found to be low profile enough? I’ve seen some plans to build ramps using 2x10’s, but with the price of lumber it’s almost cheaper to buy ramps.

Anyone know if these would be a low enough angle? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NLJVZ2D/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=A1UMBRA5ZTBCX8&psc=1

If a jack and stands are the recommendation, what do you use for jack/stand points? I’ve seen a lot of conflicting information on using the pinch weld for the jack, or jacking from elsewhere and using the pinch weld for the stands.

Thanks!

I know you said that the Race Ramps were out of your range, but they really are nice. I have a set of them, and they are made really well, plus you'll more than likely find that you'll get under the car more when you have the equipment to do so. Remember, you're going to get under a 3700 pound car. Do you really want to go cheap on the ramps?

 

[Micstang8]

I bought RINO ramps when on sale from Amazon. No clearance issues and stayed put on concrete. Oil change and PCV access was a breeze

 

[KewlWinter]

You can still use your metal ramps. Jack up a front corner of the car and place the ramp under the front wheel. Repeat on the other side. It now looks like you drove it up on the ramps. Proceed with your work underneath and when done, reverse the process. No jack stands required and leverages your existing equipment until you can afford to get jacking rails and jack stands.

 

[Ironliftr3]

Some of the crumpled pictures of those Rhino Ramps make me a bit nervous. Do they slide on concrete?

 

[Micstang8]

Some of the crumpled pictures of those Rhino Ramps make me a bit nervous. Do they slide on concrete?

Mine have not slid and I even rolled the F350 7.3 diesel up on them in the gravel to test them for flex and no issues. For getting a car up for short period of time I have no worries. If I need the car up for extended period of time the floor jack comes out and jack stands properly positioned.

 

[johnnybee]

Some of the crumpled pictures of those Rhino Ramps make me a bit nervous. Do they slide on concrete?

I was going to buy a set of Rhino Ramps to replace the ancient two piece wood ramps that my dad or perhaps oldest brother built (at 60 I have no recollection of them not being in my dad’s garage) but changed my mind when I read on the packaging that they should be used in conjunction with jack stands. There’s confidence in your product!

 

[Micstang8]

I was going to buy a set of Rhino Ramps to replace the ancient two piece wood ramps that my dad or perhaps oldest brother built (at 60 I have no recollection of them not being in my dad’s garage) but changed my mind when I read on the packaging that they should be used in conjunction with jack stands. There’s confidence in your product!

I learned a long time ago to never get under a car or truck or in my case a tractor supported solely by ramps or a jack, which is why I have like 12 jack stands 🤪. Every time I bought a new jack I got four jack stands to go along with it. 😎

 

[hiddenpants]

I have like 6 jackstands a nice princess auto trolley jack ( princess auto is Canadian harbour freight) and a couple diy ramps.


my ramps don’t work for the mustang, they are made of 2x8 offcuts from work. Trust them for sure but I usually only use them for my Tahoe.


I always jack up the mustang my jack can get under the front crossmember if I drive the car up on some boards. I would just jack the side up but my garage is very small. My 4 main jackstands are very good quality and I have put the car up on those. I don’t get under the car unless there are at least two of those and a good shake test is done. The other 2 are for holding parts up underneath, like exhaust pipes or whatever. I don’t fully trust those 2, they aren’t the recalled jackstands but they are the same type and age.

 

[hiddenpants]

Forgot to mention if I’m only lifting half the car wheel chalks are a must.

I take getting under cars really seriously, I had lifted a car up when I was a teenager to do an oil change, didn’t shake test but assumed since it was on jackstands it was fine. I slid out from under the car to grab a different socket and moments after I got out my Honda prelude dropped to the ground. Didn’t realize the rear tires that were on my moms driveway were very slowly sliding on ice and grabbing the wrong socket at first probably saved my life

 

[johnnybee]

Forgot to mention if I’m only lifting half the car wheel chalks are a must.

I take getting under cars really seriously, I had lifted a car up when I was a teenager to do an oil change, didn’t shake test but assumed since it was on jackstands it was fine. I slid out from under the car to grab a different socket and moments after I got out my Honda prelude dropped to the ground. Didn’t realize the rear tires that were on my moms driveway were very slowly sliding on ice and grabbing the wrong socket at first probably saved my life

Wow! That’s a life lesson for sure. Like you, I always chock at least one wheel, in addition to “P” and e-brake on. As regards the e-brake, I occasionally test the vehicles by placing in gear and making sure it will hold, even against a bit of throttle.

 

[BlacKnight]

Been there, done that, BURNED the t-shirt! I had a set of those Rhino ramps back when I drove a Taurus SHO. I had gotten under the car to start taking the lower cover off, crawled back out for one reason or another, and they COLLAPSED right after I got out from under the car right after I got out from under it! I built myself a pair of wooden ramps after that out of 2X10's.

 

[TorqueMaster]

First present I got my car was jacking rails. I jack up and jackstand the driver side of car to change oil, letting it back down for a bit to make sure it "all" drains out.

I keep wanting rhinoramps, but then I remember these stories and walk on by.

This thread is "Recommended Reading" linked to one from November, where the OP never got his question answered. I've not spent too much time under there, and don't recall that there really is a good front jacking point...is there one?

Where to place floor jack?

This is what the underside of my 2017 ecoboost looks like, where do I place the floor jack? I want to lift it from the front, im only lifting the front and im not sure where I should place the jack..

www.mustangecoboost.net

 

[hiddenpants]

Front crossmember is what I use to get the front up, differential on the rear below is a good guide. You can also use the points they have the lift on. They used a gt to make this guide but it’s the same for the ecoboost

 

[zhent]

I jack mine using the jacking rails I installed and put the jack stands where they have the car lifted in the pic.

 

[TorqueMaster]

Front crossmember is what I use to get the front up, differential on the rear below is a good guide. You can also use the points they have the lift on. They used a gt to make this guide but it’s the same for the ecoboost

Ahh, thank you! This looks familiar -- I seem to recall thinking "X" meant "NO" but this is clearly labeled. Does everyone use the rear diff? I put on a tow hitch, and could not convince myself jacking there was a good idea...

...and now I remember...my beefy floor jack won't fit under the front air dam, no wonder I'm attacking it sideways.

 

[hiddenpants]

Ahh, thank you! This looks familiar -- I seem to recall thinking "X" meant "NO" but this is clearly labeled. Does everyone use the rear diff? I put on a tow hitch, and could not convince myself jacking there was a good idea...

...and now I remember...my beefy floor jack won't fit under the front air dam, no wonder I'm attacking it sideways.

lol I thought the same thing when I first saw the guide. I have it printed and on the wall in my garage.

The tallest point on my jack hits my front bumper as well, but I drive the car up on 4 2x4s ( 2 under each front wheel ). And the extra 3” it raises the front end is enough to get my jack to the front middle jack point

I use the rear diff to lift all the rear wheel drive vehicles I have owned and never had an issue. The diff housing is very strong and on most cars is either very well braced to handle the torque put on it ( like the s550 mustang) or is part of a solid rear axle that supports the weight of the vehicle anyways ( like in a truck or pre 2015 mustang )

 

[Horcy1]

I have a mechnics pit but I also have ramps with race car extensions cost like $100.

When I really need to get under it I ask if I can borrow my mates car hoist lol