Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » a fine line between genius and stupidity? (making a pit)
| a fine line between genius and stupidity? [message #310814] |
Wed, 23 November 2016 16:31  |
Atom Ant
Messages: 170
Registered: October 2016
Location: Austin, TX
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in my parking area, I have a small retaining wall that drops down about a foot to the lawn below.
I had an stroke of genius/madness yesterday while at the lumber store looking to buy lumber to make ramps, cribs, etc in prep for "the fuel tank wrasslin match"
if I build up two stacks of 2x8s the distance of the wheels apart, tall enough to equal the height of the wall, with one long board as a transfer, I would in effect have a pit that I could drive onto, and work under.
If long enough, (about 2 feet in front of the mid wheel, or roughly 9 feet back from this spot) I would be able to drop the tanks from under there, and I could drive the front onto it too.
is this utterly stupid, or am i onto something here?
I wont tell you what my wife said.
1976 Palm Beach
Austin, TX
[Updated on: Wed, 23 November 2016 17:10] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: a fine line between genius and stupidity? [message #310820 is a reply to message #310814] |
Wed, 23 November 2016 17:31  |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Atom Ant wrote on Wed, 23 November 2016 17:31in my parking area, I have a small retaining wall that drops down about a foot to the lawn below.
I had an stroke of genius/madness yesterday while at the lumber store looking to buy lumber to make ramps, cribs, etc in prep for "the fuel tank wrasslin match"
if I build up two stacks of 2x8s the distance of the wheels apart, tall enough to equal the height of the wall, with one long board as a transfer, I would in effect have a pit that I could drive onto, and work under.
If long enough, (about 2 feet in front of the mid wheel, or roughly 9 feet back from this spot) I would be able to drop the tanks from under there, and I could drive the front onto it too.
is this utterly stupid, or am i onto something here?
I wont tell you what my wife said.
Adam,
If you are thinking of one stack of 2x8 under each side, it's been nice to know you......
If you stack 2x8s a foot tall on anything that can grow grass, the foundation will not be enough to have any sense of humor for side load. Unless the load is perfectly centered, the stack may capsize.
Then, there is another stupid issue. That 2x8 is 7-1/2 wide. That is just barely a tread width of a 225 wide tire. That makes a close target to hit from the cab. I think you want a 2x10 for the cap.
Several people here have made service ramps from wood. They were successful and even got to write about it later. I hope that one of them joins in and can show you pictures.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: [GMCnet] a fine line between genius and stupidity? [message #310824 is a reply to message #310814] |
Wed, 23 November 2016 17:39 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Adam,
Be VERY careful if you go ahead with this, you need to consider the "hardness" of the ground under the 2 x 8's and how you would
assure lateral stability.
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Adam Metzger
Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2016 9:32 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] a fine line between genius and stupidity?
in my yard, I have a small retaining wall that drops down about a foot to the lawn below.
I had an stroke of genius/madness yesterday while at the lumber store looking to buy lumber to make ramps, cribs, etc in prep for
"the fuel tank wrasslin match"
if I build up two stacks of 2x8s the distance of the wheels apart, tall enough to equal the height of the wall, with one long board
as a transfer, I would in effect have a pit that I could work under.
If long enough, (about 2 feet in front of the mid wheel, or roughly 9 feet back from this spot) I would be able to drop the tanks
from under there.
is this utterly stupid, or am i onto something here?
I wont tell you what my wife said.
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: a fine line between genius and stupidity? [message #310828 is a reply to message #310814] |
Wed, 23 November 2016 18:19 |
Atom Ant
Messages: 170
Registered: October 2016
Location: Austin, TX
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Sorry, I only mentioned 2x8s because I was thinking of using them for ramps. So I actually would use 2X10s AT LEAST, or 2X12s. If I were to go this wide, would YOU get under it?
1976 Palm Beach
Austin, TX
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| Re: [GMCnet] a fine line between genius and stupidity? [message #310829 is a reply to message #310823] |
Wed, 23 November 2016 18:15 |
Bruce Hart
Messages: 1501
Registered: October 2011
Location: La Grange, Wyoming
Karma: 5
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Adam, I made up four of these and they worked very well when I dropped my
gas tanks.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=33783&title=12-ton-jack-stand&cat=5
On Wed, Nov 23, 2016 at 4:49 PM, Bruce Hislop wrote:
> I'm with Matt, a 2x8 stack ramp will sink to one side on soil and tip
> over. I made a set using left over 5/4 decking. They were "6" inches wide
> so I
> used 2 wide and it was just right for me at about 12" wide... But I use
> them in the shop on concrete. On soil I would want something at least twice
> as wide as high.
>
> Bruce "enjoying a cerveza by the pool in Mexico, still waiting for the
> Plumber" Hislop
>
> --
> Bruce Hislop
> ON Canada
> 77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
> Hubler 1 ton front end
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
> My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
>
> _______________________________________________
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--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
Milliken, Co
GMC=Got More Class
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Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
1977 28' Kingsley
La Grange, Wyoming
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| Re: [GMCnet] a fine line between genius and stupidity? [message #310831 is a reply to message #310829] |
Wed, 23 November 2016 18:40 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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You could create a very similar ramp set-up to Ken Henderson's. He did use steel I beams for the wheels to ride on and guide in. These lead out to another I beam for the ends to rest on. Has concrete columns for the beam assembly to rest on. I have been on his ramp and it is super. He has a concrete pad underneath the ramp area. I believe that the ramp is about four feet from the ground level. Ken scoots around on a converted office chair (no back) and has a comfortable work position.
Perhaps he will comment on it.
Tom, MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: a fine line between genius and stupidity? [message #310852 is a reply to message #310814] |
Wed, 23 November 2016 22:04 |
Atom Ant
Messages: 170
Registered: October 2016
Location: Austin, TX
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Ken, that's quite a set up! That's the idea I had, only about a foot off the ground.
Do I recall seeing someone driving their coach onto two railroad ties stacked?
Johnny bridges?
1976 Palm Beach
Austin, TX
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| Re: [GMCnet] a fine line between genius and stupidity? [message #310858 is a reply to message #310814] |
Thu, 24 November 2016 07:01 |
Jeanette
Messages: 118
Registered: May 2013
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Good thinking!
Sent from my iPhone
> On Nov 23, 2016, at 4:31 PM, Adam Metzger wrote:
>
> in my yard, I have a small retaining wall that drops down about a foot to the lawn below.
>
> I had an stroke of genius/madness yesterday while at the lumber store looking to buy lumber to make ramps, cribs, etc in prep for "the fuel tank
> wrasslin match"
>
> if I build up two stacks of 2x8s the distance of the wheels apart, tall enough to equal the height of the wall, with one long board as a transfer, I
> would in effect have a pit that I could work under.
>
> If long enough, (about 2 feet in front of the mid wheel, or roughly 9 feet back from this spot) I would be able to drop the tanks from under there.
>
> is this utterly stupid, or am i onto something here?
>
> I wont tell you what my wife said.
>
>
>
>
> --
> 1976 Palm Beach
> Austin, TX
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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| Re: [GMCnet] a fine line between genius and stupidity? [message #310863 is a reply to message #310858] |
Thu, 24 November 2016 08:56 |
Kingsley Coach
Messages: 2691
Registered: March 2009
Location: Nova Scotia Canada
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Ken
There seems to be a problem under your GMC. I noticed it as I glanced at
your ramp pics...disgusting...Wayyyyyyy too clean and areas where it
shines...
It does not look like mine!
Mike in NS
On Thu, Nov 24, 2016 at 9:01 AM, Jeanette Hodges wrote:
> Good thinking!
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Nov 23, 2016, at 4:31 PM, Adam Metzger wrote:
>>
>> in my yard, I have a small retaining wall that drops down about a foot
> to the lawn below.
>>
>> I had an stroke of genius/madness yesterday while at the lumber store
> looking to buy lumber to make ramps, cribs, etc in prep for "the fuel tank
>> wrasslin match"
>>
>> if I build up two stacks of 2x8s the distance of the wheels apart, tall
> enough to equal the height of the wall, with one long board as a transfer, I
>> would in effect have a pit that I could work under.
>>
>> If long enough, (about 2 feet in front of the mid wheel, or roughly 9
> feet back from this spot) I would be able to drop the tanks from under
> there.
>>
>> is this utterly stupid, or am i onto something here?
>>
>> I wont tell you what my wife said.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> 1976 Palm Beach
>> Austin, TX
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS
Life is too short to hold a grudge; slash some tires and call it even !
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| Re: a fine line between genius and stupidity? [message #310866 is a reply to message #310814] |
Thu, 24 November 2016 09:11 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Wadn't me on ties. I use 4x4 treate3d cribs a couple of feet long set in much the same setup as the stands in the pictures above. When I'm jacking, I put safety cribs close. Unfortunately, I mis-stacked them yesterday and this cost me a radiator. It also convinced me, when I do the inner flanges of my newly rebooted axles, I'm gonna do it with the coach with its wheels on. Even cribbed, the idea of torqueing bolts and yanking and pulling with only cribbing under leaves me cold, because I have to be compeltely under the front end. I'll let it sit where it's always safely sat. With saftey cribbing 'just in case'.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] a fine line between genius and stupidity? [message #310867 is a reply to message #310863] |
Thu, 24 November 2016 09:12 |
GMCWiperMan
Messages: 1248
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 1
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Mike,
Maybe you need to pull the front clip, remove EVERYTHING from it, then have
it sandblasted and powder coated, like mine's PO did. ☺
Ken H.
On Nov 24, 2016 09:57, "Kingsley Coach" wrote:
> Ken
> There seems to be a problem under your GMC. I noticed it as I glanced at
> your ramp pics...disgusting...Wayyyyyyy too clean and areas where it
> shines...
> It does not look like mine!
>
> Mike in NS
>
> On Thu, Nov 24, 2016 at 9:01 AM, Jeanette Hodges wrote:
>
>> Good thinking!
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>> On Nov 23, 2016, at 4:31 PM, Adam Metzger
> wrote:
>>>
>>> in my yard, I have a small retaining wall that drops down about a foot
>> to the lawn below.
>>>
>>> I had an stroke of genius/madness yesterday while at the lumber store
>> looking to buy lumber to make ramps, cribs, etc in prep for "the fuel
> tank
>>> wrasslin match"
>>>
>>> if I build up two stacks of 2x8s the distance of the wheels apart, tall
>> enough to equal the height of the wall, with one long board as a
> transfer, I
>>> would in effect have a pit that I could work under.
>>>
>>> If long enough, (about 2 feet in front of the mid wheel, or roughly 9
>> feet back from this spot) I would be able to drop the tanks from under
>> there.
>>>
>>> is this utterly stupid, or am i onto something here?
>>>
>>> I wont tell you what my wife said.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> 1976 Palm Beach
>>> Austin, TX
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> GMCnet mailing list
>>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Michael Beaton
> 1977 Kingsley 26-11
> 1977 Eleganza II 26-3
> Antigonish, NS
>
> Life is too short to hold a grudge; slash some tires and call it even !
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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| Re: a fine line between genius and stupidity? [message #310899 is a reply to message #310897] |
Thu, 24 November 2016 22:22 |
Bullitthead
Messages: 1411
Registered: November 2013
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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They are creosote treated, but not railroad ties. They are 12 inches square and 24 feet long. Part of a bridge used by a logging company to get the trucks and equipment across a ditch to the logging site. They are so heavy my backhoe would not pick up the entire timber at once. I had to pick up one end and drag them into place.
Terry Kelpien
ASE Master Technician
73 Glacier 260
Smithfield, Va.
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