Mike Mercury

Readers Car Ramps

Ramp Main / our 2002/mods/carcover/reducing interior noise/ham radio/3.42 upgrade

 

Thanks for all the feedback and pics of the ramps you have built. I felt it only fitting to show the nice work of those that have built these ramps and their variations.

 

David from Virginia

 Greetings, Tim. I can report that your ramp design works great for C4’s as well. Copied your dimensions. Used 2x10x10 and ¾ plywood as you suggested.

I used liquid nails to join every piece followed by 3” exterior wood screws (at the narrow approach end, I used 1” wood screws and screwed up from underneath).

Modification – I think that your design will work fine as is with a standard C4. If you have a Z51 C4 like I do then your deeper front air dam will only allow
about an 1/8” clearance which was too tight for me (I tested with a cardboard mock-up before firing up my table saw). I straightened the back of the ramps,
giving me 2 additional inches on top, which I used to reduce the lower incline from 9 to about 8 degrees, which yielded a more
comfortable 1/2” clearance. I also increased the amount of cross bracing.

Scooting was unfortunately a problem in my garage so I cut a notch at the base of the backstop just big enough to tightly wedge in the end of a 2x4x8.
I then braced the other end of the 2x4x8 against the concrete block back wall of my garage. Now they’re totally stable.
When done I just dislodge the 2x4x8’s and lean them up in the corner of my garage. Total cost - $52. Can’t thank you enough!

 

Mike from New Castle, DE

Ramps came out Great! Used 3/4" plywood. Thanks so much for sharing these plans.

Here is my 2001 Vette on my ramps. Used them so I could install a Vararam system with power duct.

 

Chris from Louisiana

CorvetteForum - "Corvette-Chris"

I came across the ramp plans that forum member "Mike Mercury" drew up and posted on his website and decided to make a pair.

My car is much lower than stock and my bumper hit the ramps as I tried to drive on them, so I added the hinged/fold-out piece of wood that gave my car just the clearance it needed to get on with no problems. I also added a set of handles that allow me to carry them very easily and both at the same time with even weight distribution. (you can see if you look closely):

 

 Lane

Corvette Forum - sliderhd

Thanx for the ramp design. I built mine out of pressure treated because they are outside. I used Gorilla Glue and also put the reinforcement under the top pad. Attached is a picture of my "Load Test" before putting the Vette on them. Can't be too careful. Truck weighs 7400 lbs! 

 

 

Ryan

Corvette Forum - NavyC5

 Just wanted to let you know the ramps you designed years ago work for a C6 Z06 with no problems at all. Drove the Z up on them this afternoon to do an oil change. Might want to post the plans in the C6 Z06 section. The only thing I would change is length of the flat area. The car moves backwards when the rear is jacked up and I had to reposition them. If the (landing pad area) was a little longer, it would be easier.

Some info on the ramp mods:

1). Handles...my father built the ramps. Makes moving them around million times easier.

2). No-skid (small gravel added between coats of paint)

3). Rubber flaps added to the front of the ramps. Prevents "scooting" when car first makes contact. Next version will extend rubber further so the

rear tires will be on before fronts go up the ramps. No movement.

4). Silicone (not visible in pics) added to bottom of the ramps to prevent "scooting"

5). Front stop incorporated into the front piece of the ramp. Keeps everything solid and adds eliminates the worry of breaking the stop off the

front.

Other plans for next version.

1). Longer "flat area" to allow for car movement. When the rear is raised, the car wants to move backwards. Longer flat will add a margin of safety.

2). As I said earlier, longer "flaps". This will allow the weight of the car to be used to prevent the ramps from "scooting".

3). Possible "dip" in the flat area of the ramp to seat the care perfectly and ensure no movement.

 

Bottom line. Excellent idea!!! No idea on the cost of materials since I didn't build them. But a few 2x8s, some paint, and some rubber. I would

guess less than $50 for the set. Plus you can drive a Z06 on them with zero problems. Oh, and did I mention this is one of my few possessions to

survive Hurricane Katrina.

David Woodcock

Corvette Forum - Dusty dog.

Hi Tim,

Sorry it has taken so long to get these pictures to you. I don't use the ramps very often but when I do they work great!

Thanks again for sharing the plans for them!

Dave

 

Mike T.

Ontario Canada.

Hi Tim.

Yesterday I built a pair of Mike Mercury ramps for my '04 C5 Vette. I changed the design ever so slightly and made my top flat section a full 16". This allows me to use wheel chocks behind the front wheels. I did this for a good reason - I need to jack up the back end for oil changing purposes and as soon as the rear wheels leave the ground there is no parking brake or tranny Park holding the car. So I cut a 45 through a 12" piece of 2x6 and the two chocks work great. I also reinforced the area where the top and slope plywood meets (like Joseph Caldwell did).

I like the double slope idea and I doubt I would have figured this one out myself. A great idea that works perfectly. Regards; Mike Tierney

Woodstock Ontario Canada

 

UPDATE:

This week I used my Mike Mercury ramps for the first real time - I did an oil & filter change before putting the Vette into hibernation. I got thinking of how I could make them better for my own needs so I came up with the following modifications. Use them as you see fit!

I have to carry them the full length of my garage to the driveway and as they're fairly heavy and awkward I came up with a set of lifting handles. I put them in just the right spot - I have to squat down slightly to grab them - stand erect and they're off the floor by about 3". That puts the pointy end near my ear so the left hand reaches across and steadies this end.

Then I installed wheel chocks. Most screw-on things applied to the front vertical 2x10 are at a bad mechanical advantage. The wheel is trying to push them off. My wedges are screwed down with 4" screws into the front 2x10. MM: fantastic idea !

 

For the rear chocks I drilled the holes oversize and drop the 4" screws down into holes through to the 2nd 2x10 back. The oversize holes allow the chocks to be installed and removed quickly.

I wanted rear chocks, as when the back end of the car is jacked (to get it level or back-high for oil draining) the parking pawl and the parking brake are doing nothing.

Enjoy. Many thanks for the original ramp design! They're awesome. A buddy (cc'd here) just made a set for his C5 too.

Regards; Mike T.

(Mike; love those Magnesium wheels !!!)

 

Rex Martin

Hi Tim, I was reading a thread on the forum and posted pics of the ramps I built from your plans for lowered Vettes.One of the guys said you were looking for pics, so I am sending mine to you for your use. Thanks for posting your design, they also work for my daughters lowered Honda Civic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph Caldwell

Tim your design for the lowered ramps was dead on! Total build time 3.5 hours. I did modify the design slightly by reinforcing the middle center brace with a 2x4 to prevent cracking, but beyond that I followed your layout to a T, and it worked perfectly for my 01 Z06. I have attached some pictures for your site.

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Barry

Hi Tim,

Thanks for your ramp writeup. I built my own copies of your design a few months ago, and they work so well I gave away my Rhino Ramps. Attached are a copy of shots, they're virtually identical to yours. I used 3/4" plywood and added an additional 2x10 brace directly under the spot where the tires rest.Thanks again from another C5 owner for posting your design!

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