I think ramps are ok.  I also use ramps in a similar fashion that Gary describes using wood blocks.  For instance, if the work at hand is such that the rampy portion will be in the way, I'll jack up the vehicle and set it on the ramps but opposite the direction they would be if I drove up. Try to find ramps that are relatively flat for at least a few inches.  That way you have some weight on them before the vehicle begins to rise and it prevents the ramp from being pushed, which can happen on really smooth or relatively slick floors.



Lawrenceville, GA

I think one needs to be a bit careful about placing jack stands on a concrete floor and under the frame because that will make it difficult to be sure the load is evenly distributed over all 4 jack stands.  The floor would have to be very flat, the frame straight and the jacks precisely placed where they will contact frame.  In my opinion it is better to place 2 jack stands under the frame in front of the front wheels and the 2 stands under the rear axle tube as far out as possible. In this way the rear springs will nearly equalize the load on all 4 jack stands.  If you are working on the rear springs then you could introduce some kind of compressive compensation for a discrepency in heights.

In any case I always make sure that any tubular piece to be supported is down in the V of the jack stands. Placing the jack stand under the spring plate or a flat part of the frame is not a great idea. But it is also true as we get older and weaker the chance of shoving the car off the stands decreases 

Doug T

The Highlands, Louisville, Ky.

Long ago, I raised a car on the front crossmember, and placed the jack stands on the frame. I went to the back, and picked the car on the differential (bolted solid, IRS), and placed the rear jack stands. I'd had to move the floor jack a bit to line it up, and the front swivel wheels were cocked sideways. I let the car down, and rolled under. The jack wheels had bound up, and the car moved (instead of the floor jack) as I let the back down. The front stands were tipped, standing only on the back legs of the stands. After I fixed it, I wondered how many times I'd done that, and not noticed. I check all of them now.



miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

I'm kinda paranoid about Jackstands.
I use em and am fine with frame jacking only. A- arms, no way,no how never.
I'm a big fan of wood blocks. Ramps that are the solid composite or have the brace between the up-right and the initial point of contact ramp.