Best way to raise a Prius to work under it?

i like the homemade 2x12 ramps. step them one at a time so you can drive up, then solid as a rock when it's up there.

 

It's hard to use cribbing as shown in that picture because the Prius has independent suspension. That picture has a car with a solid rear axle with the jack under the rear differential, if I'm not mistaken.

When you jack up the Prius, the wheels hang down, unsupported. If you crib the wheels, when you lower the car, it will settle down on the struts/springs, and you'll lose much of the height you had the body jacked up to.

That's why you can't jack the front of the car up and slide ramps under the front wheels, because the wheels are hanging down low.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

I prefer my Quickjack. It absolutely safe and secure, giving plenty of room to work under.



My second option is the Rennstand and the ESCO jackstand, To raise one side, only one Rennstand is needed, as the chassis is stiff enough to raise the rear wheel when the front is raised at the pinch weld.

 

To get a floor jack to the front/centre jacking point, and have enough room to operate the handle, you’ll probably need low-rise ramps, say 3” lift (two 2x layers). That jacking point is way back on 4th gen. Or just use regular ramps.

 

I use those low slung Rino ramps; so I can get my jack all the way back to the jack point. Place the jack stands on the frame emergency jack points; put most of the weight of the car on the stands, grab a fender and check for sturdiness. Now you can crawl under and do your work. Make sure the wheels still on the ground are chocked.

 

Just for giggles, safety stands set and wheels chocked, I also drag this tree trunk section under, it’s thicker than me.

 

People have made pre ramps out of several 2x8s or 2x10s. They just need to be long enough so that your wheel can be lifted before your front spoiler makes contact with the ramps.

Depending on the ramp and how low the spoiler is, it dictates how many pieces/layers of wood you need to raise your front end so that it clears the ramp's incline.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Expensive, but definitely worth it. They are designed for low rise vehicles.

Race Ramps RR-40 40" Race Ramp- Pack of 2

 

Fwiw, RACE RAMPS RULE!

Imho, throw everything else out.

The RR-40 raceramps aren't good for a Prius.
The RR-40 raceramps have an 16.7 incline angle. That is too much for a car like the Prius, that is lower to the ground.
For a Prius, something like an RR-56-2, with an 10.5 incline angle is needed.
I have both RR-40 and RR-56-2 race-ramps.

Note, many EVs and PHEVs are also lower to the ground.

Code:

https://www.raceramps.com/garage-service/ramps/race/p/rr-56-2/
56" TWO PIECE RACE RAMPS - 10.8 DEGREE APPROACH ANGLE
$356.00


https://www.raceramps.com/garage-service/ramps/race/p/rr-56/
56" SINGLE PIECE RACE RAMPS - 10.8 DEGREE APPROACH ANGLE
$317.00


https://www.raceramps.com/garage-service/ramps/xtenders/p/rr-ex-12/
XTENDERS FOR 56" RACE RAMPS – 6.6 DEGREE APPROACH ANGLE
$178.00

With the RR-56-2, with an 10.5 incline angle, my front bumper cover is close, but it does clear.
I'm likely going to get a set of rr-ex-12 (approach extenders), to have more clearance between the front bumper cover.
There's no way my set of RR-40 race ramps would clear. I've had my RR-40 raceramps for many years.

Btw, RACE RAMPS are amazingly light.


Good video:

Code:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS03QP1eqsI
#RetroCarGuy530 #RaceRamps #CarRamps
Race Ramps - RR-XT-2 67" Ramps / RR-EX-14 67" Xtender Car Service Ramps
RetroCarGuy530

For quick simple stuff, I don't have the time/desire to use floor jacks, or jack stands.
Plus, imho, those aren't as safe as a proper set of ramps (which are not cheap).
Of course, ramps can't be used to change wheels/etc.
So, a good safe floor jack and good jack stands are still needed.
So, a good expensive set of ramps, are indeed, a luxury.


Fwiw, I don't like Rhino ramps at all. They often move on the floor.
Also, Rhino ramps, and other resin ramps, can, and do fail, from age, abuse/etc.
The same is true of some of the older, light weight metal floor ramps.
Do a google search.


To get safely get a car even higher, use heavy duty ramps, with a Hydraulic Lift at the end.
On ebay, do a search:
Car Service Ramp Lifts Heavy Duty Hydraulic Lift

NOTE: Those ramps have a high incline angle. No way to directly drive car with low clearance, like a Prius or a real Sports Car, directly onto the ramps. However, there are other ways.

Code:

On Amazon,
Note, the price is for single ramp.  A pair is needed.

https://www.amazon.com/Stark-Profile-Service-Automotive-Hydraulic/dp/B07QG3TY17
Stark Auto Ramp Low Profile Car Lift Service Ramps Truck Trailer Garage Automotive Hydraulic Lift Repair Frame 1pc (Red)
$182.70

Yes, I also have a set of the Hydraulic Lift ramps.
Fwiw, those are heavy, and a pita to move or store.



The Sports Car people (Vette, Camaro, Mustang, etc) have many decades of experience with ramps, and cars with lower clearances.
For people that race their cars, the cars are on ramps/jacks multiple times a week.

 

Humble?

A stack of two 2x's will give you enough lift. @jerrymildred may come through with a pic of his.

I went a little nuts, cobbled these:

 

Yep; will only work on SUV's; I've also got a set of those. They are also very difficult to climb up on, with a car that does have the clearance.

A set of these should work. RhinoGear 11914MI RhinoRamps Vehicle Ramp, Pair, 12,000lb. GVW Capacity - Walmart.com

 

Here are some of our latest developments of "knife edge" standing seam jacking adapters for the widely available aluminum pin type jack stands, I don't trust the Harbor Freight "recalled" pawl ratchet types.

 

Or just put your safety stands somewhere more substantial. My 2 cents: the scissor jack bearing points are useless for anything else. Not even that good for the scissor jack: if you put the scissor jack in place you'll see it's actually supporting the weight behind the crimped edge, uses that edge just for lateral stability. And in the one use I did, on the rear, it dimpled the bodywork where it was bearing.

These points have been working well for me, through roughly 24 oil changes and as many tire rotations, on a third gen. I'd suspect there's similar points on 4th gen:

:

 

The pinch weld jacking points as well as the front and rear points are the only ones recommended by Toyota.

 

Harbor Freight long reach low profile jack and four 6-ton jack stands gets you nearly 24" off the ground. $340 before taxes, but after coupons and rebates.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

This video shows why I do not trust those ratcheting jack stands, Your life depends on one small sliver of petal in the pawl. Reminds me of those who work under a car supported by the old style bumper jack.

This would be the only Harbor Freight jack stands that I would trust.

3 Ton Aluminum Jack Stands

 

Video won't show.... I don't think we are getting anywhere close to the 6 ton capacity of the stands... I've had my car on them for 5 months and had no issues.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Here are 12 ton stands and you wouldn't go all the way to max height at 24" which is safer.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.