Hi all!
I'm looking for some feedback/suggestions regarding a project. I'll start off with some context, my challenge, and then describe my proposed solution.
I'm an amateur mechanic, and wrench on my own track car. The car in question is a track prepped E30 which requires a bit of a spectacle to lift all 4 corners and put on jack stands. I "inherited" a QuickJack which I was excited to use.
The challenge is that my garage (2 car basement garage under the house) has a significant bowl - slopes both North/South and East/West towards the floor drain in the middle. The QuickJack can't work, as it's not on a level surface.
My idea was to construct a semi-permanent solution; build two wooden vehicle ramps using scribed 2x4s that match the contour of the garage floor, and present a level surface. I planned to cut approx 16inch (maybe 24''?) sections (the QuickJack is 1ft wide) which would run perpendicular to the cars' wheels, spaced very closely together for structure (maybe every 4-6 inches?) and fasten them to the floor with Tapcon screws. I'd then put a plywood sheet on top of the 2x4s for structure and which would serve as a smooth, level vehicle ramp, and as a level surface for my QuickJack.
I wanted to do two ramps rather than a raised platform, or level off the entire garage floor with self-leveling concrete for a few reasons:
I've seen a good number of posts about wooden vehicle ramps, but nothing that was on an un-level surface and/or attached to the floor.
Would really appreciate some feedback or pointers regarding viability, structural safety, etc.
For example:
Cheers!!
I'm looking for some feedback/suggestions regarding a project. I'll start off with some context, my challenge, and then describe my proposed solution.
I'm an amateur mechanic, and wrench on my own track car. The car in question is a track prepped E30 which requires a bit of a spectacle to lift all 4 corners and put on jack stands. I "inherited" a QuickJack which I was excited to use.
The challenge is that my garage (2 car basement garage under the house) has a significant bowl - slopes both North/South and East/West towards the floor drain in the middle. The QuickJack can't work, as it's not on a level surface.
My idea was to construct a semi-permanent solution; build two wooden vehicle ramps using scribed 2x4s that match the contour of the garage floor, and present a level surface. I planned to cut approx 16inch (maybe 24''?) sections (the QuickJack is 1ft wide) which would run perpendicular to the cars' wheels, spaced very closely together for structure (maybe every 4-6 inches?) and fasten them to the floor with Tapcon screws. I'd then put a plywood sheet on top of the 2x4s for structure and which would serve as a smooth, level vehicle ramp, and as a level surface for my QuickJack.
I wanted to do two ramps rather than a raised platform, or level off the entire garage floor with self-leveling concrete for a few reasons:
- I want to maintain a slope for water to drain (underneath these ramps/between the 2x4s).
- I want to maintain the ability to raise just the front-end with a floor jack, if I need to access something under the side of the car.
- I want to be able to remove this structure if ever I move, as to not "turn off" a potential buyer or have some sort of code violation I'm not aware of.
- Cost of leveling the entire garage floor professionally was prohibitive.
I've seen a good number of posts about wooden vehicle ramps, but nothing that was on an un-level surface and/or attached to the floor.
Would really appreciate some feedback or pointers regarding viability, structural safety, etc.
For example:
- Would this structure be strong enough to support the weight of the car?
- Any concerns with pressure treated wood rotting/degrading in strength over time? Should I consider laying down a vapor barrier or treating the wood first?
- Will putting that many Tapcon screws into my slap present any risks?
Cheers!!