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Using 2X4 instead of jacking rails

DarkHorsePremium

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Greetings,
I don't have to use any wood to bring the front of the car up when I approach the ramps. My ramps have a very low slope, similar to race ramps. If I had a HP, lowering springs or an extra low splitter I'd probably have to use some wood to bring the front of the car up. I thought my STI was low until I got the Dark Horse. I couldn't imagine having a car lower than this. I wouldn't be able to drive around town. I already have to go super slow and angled on slopes and gutters. Even on my own driveway.
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LouG

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Greetings,
I don't have to use any wood to bring the front of the car up when I approach the ramps. My ramps have a very low slope, similar to race ramps. If I had a HP, lowering springs or an extra low splitter I'd probably have to use some wood to bring the front of the car up. I thought my STI was low until I got the Dark Horse. I couldn't imagine having a car lower than this. I wouldn't be able to drive around town. I already have to go super slow and angled on slopes and gutters. Even on my own driveway.
This is for the jacking points on the pinch seams.
 

Starship Enterprise

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Been a ford engine tech for 32 years.
Laying a 2x4 across the lifting pad of a floor jack just to lift a mustang, the 2x4 would be plenty strong....

Heres a question for you in regards the ramps, do you have lowering springs on your mustang?

Thats what im curious about, how usable are ramps on a lowered car.
Will the front of the car hit the ramp before the front tires reach the resting point of the ramp...

We use to get some low musings in the shop where our low profile legs on the hoist wouldnt slide low under the car, they would hit.

We would need to drive all 4 tires onto a 2x4 to get some additional clearance.
Which can also be done with the ramps, but additional drama...
My 06 GT was lowered with an extended front splitter. I had to pull it up on a row of 2x4's to get it to angle up on to the ramps. It was a huge PIA. One time I pulled the car down from the ramp, the 2x4 slid and the corner of the splitter caught the ramp and bent it off the car. I stopped changing my own oil after that.

Also the car didn't fit on the alignment machine unless I completely removed the splitter...also a PIA.

This most likely also can be an issue with the new Mustangs if lowered and especially if a custom front splitter is added.
 

Skye

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I prefer jacking rails and Race Ramps.

Other items might work very well. But IDK how many compression cycles they can handle before failing, what their physical limits are, integrity if pinched or pierced, how heat and humidity affect them, etc.

For low-profile cars, Race Ramps offers some different options.

https://www.raceramps.com/ramps/c/rrramps/

Edit,

The car in the pictures is a 2022 Mach 1 HP, using Race Ramps with a 7-degree approach. Stock ride height. The car has not been lowered.

https://www.raceramps.com/ramps/race/p/rr-72-2/

https://www.steeda.com/2024-mustang...2KLcCJHYbQqzrtQexOgv3yoWzd3cvdBasiBImet5CUnhE

Slotted jacking pads:

https://www.google.com/search?q=slo...AIB&sourceid=chrome&source=chrome.rb&ie=UTF-8

S650 Mustang Using 2X4 instead of jacking rails 20221025_075754


S650 Mustang Using 2X4 instead of jacking rails 20220624_1708



See first picture. This is a front shot. Using a 7-degree ramp, I'm left with that much on approach.
S650 Mustang Using 2X4 instead of jacking rails 20221025_080026



At rest, the gap to the floor. The driving ride height of the splitter lip.
S650 Mustang Using 2X4 instead of jacking rails 20260904_070718
 
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Westphal

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SVE's jacking pads don't fit convertibles but Steeda has jacking rails that fit them. The area next to the rocker panel that the rails sit in is too narrow for a 2X4. I figured I'd take another look last night.
 

Ducatti20

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SVE's jacking pads don't fit convertibles but Steeda has jacking rails that fit them. The area next to the rocker panel that the rails sit in is too narrow for a 2X4. I figured I'd take another look last night.
And not to pimp Steeda but they are having a Labor Day sale and I think the rails are in there.
Steeda Labor Day Sale
 
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Westphal

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And not to pimp Steeda but they are having a Labor Day sale and I think the rails are in there.
Steeda Labor Day Sale
Thanks! I saw that and will buy those this weekend. They remind me of the subframe connectors I had on my '87 Camaro, except I had them stitch-welded in.
 

FrostyOne

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I might do this myself. Great idea.
Use a router and cut a channel in the 2 x 4 for the pinch seam.
There are lots of good floor jack adapters available online that take care of the pinch weld.

I bought one that has a magnet in it so it sticks to the weld and has a round base that you center on the floor jack lifting pad.
 

Sofa King

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I prefer jacking rails and Race Ramps.

Other items might work very well. But IDK how many compression cycles they can handle before failing, what their physical limits are, integrity if pinched or pierced, how heat and humidity affect them, etc.

For low-profile cars, Race Ramps offers some different options.

https://www.raceramps.com/ramps/c/rrramps/

Edit,

The car in the pictures is a 2022 Mach 1 HP, using Race Ramps with a 7-degree approach. Stock ride height. The car has not been lowered.

https://www.raceramps.com/ramps/race/p/rr-72-2/

https://www.steeda.com/2024-mustang...2KLcCJHYbQqzrtQexOgv3yoWzd3cvdBasiBImet5CUnhE

Slotted jacking pads:

https://www.google.com/search?q=slo...AIB&sourceid=chrome&source=chrome.rb&ie=UTF-8

20221025_075754.webp


20220624_1708.webp



See first picture. This is a front shot. Using a 7-degree ramp, I'm left with that much on approach.
20221025_080026.webp



At rest, the gap to the floor. The driving ride height of the splitter lip.
20260904_070718.webp
Race ramps don't offer shit... been trying to buy some for years... all out of stock due to the factory burning down.
 

steveo1960

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There are lots of good floor jack adapters available online that take care of the pinch weld.

I bought one that has a magnet in it so it sticks to the weld and has a round base that you center on the floor jack lifting pad.
Yep.
But then working under the car, you still have to find a proper place for a jack stand.
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