Oil change, Jack stands or ramps with diffuser?
 

So I want to my own oil changes but I'm sorting out how to lift the front end. I don't think the rhino ramps will make it with the front diffuser in place. Instead, can I just do two front jack stands or do I need to do all four corners?

You need 2 jackstands. You might want to invest in a low profile floor Jack.

Have you tried placing a 2x4 in front of the ramps?

Edit: ^^ Damn, CBRich beat me to it lol...

Rhino ramps work like a charm...even with the low hanging front air dam. You have have to drive up on a piece of 2X4 first. Nothing rubs, nothing touches. Without the 2x4, it would rub however.

i have rhino ramps 12000 it clears it fine.....bearly but it clears it(i doubt it would once i lower it probably have to resort to the wood pieces)

if any the only thing that hits is the rubber mud guard on the front but its flexible so no biggie

check AK's vid here
http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...es-inside.html

It doesn't look like AK has the diffuser on in the video. AK?

sorry forgot to mention i have the lip spoiler as well :tup:

Well, he's already on a slight incline. Maybe if you were on a completely flat road, it might rub, but a slight incline will probably prevent any rub.

EDIT:
On second thought, you're better off getting 3 ton jacks. It will end up being easier in the long run, since you don't have to work with ramps, and especially since jacks will enable to work without any chance of movement. You can do brake, tire, wheel work.

I do not have the front chin spoiler installed. It's in my attic.

Alright, so just to be sure though...it's safe to work under a car supported by just two jack stands in the front (rear wheels on the ground)? Or do I need to get it off the ground with four?

Pull the e-brake, make sure the car is in 1st gear, and for bonus points, chalk at least one rear wheel. You will be fine. What you do NOT want to do, is have any side of the car supported by nothing more than the jack itself.

Leave it in gear, pull the ebrake, and put something behind one or both rear tires (brick, jam in a piece of 2x4, etc.)

Make sure you're on a solid level surface as well. I once did an oil change in a parking lot, only to have the parking lot fail and everything sinking in...slowly...almost lost that battle!

Safety wise, jack up the car, and use jackstands only.

Usually, what i do is I jack up the car, and put a jackstand under and split the load between the jack and the jackstand. It's quick and dirty, and will leave an "out" if the jack fails, if you're working from the jackstand side (which is what I do...I enter from the jackstand side, work towards the jack side arms only. I hate being under a car!)

If I'm doing more major work than an oil change, jackstands only.

Well, jackstands usually come in pairs, along with a jack... so you'd jack up the left side, shove a jackstand under on the crossmember, then jack up the other side and shove another jackstand there. And yeah, I'd chock both rear wheels, e-brake, in gear, etc. Trust me, even 2 ton jacks will support the car, remember our Z only weighs like 3500 pounds, and plus, it's not like one jack suddenly took the entire load.

If you guys get lowered, you might want to try the tomioka ramps.

Great idea! thanks for sharing.

Tomioka Racing (TR-SLOPE) Super Slopes - Service Ramps
http://ep.yimg.com/ip/I/yhst-2789730..._2058_37715131

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I just used the Rhino ramps this morning and had no problems doing my oil change.

Same here. I use Rhino ramps and did my first oil change this morning at 1775 miles. I used a couple short 2x12s in front of the Rhinos to give the car enough lift so the chin deflector wouldn't hang. I did have to bevel the 2x12s with a jigsaw else the front tires would just push them across the floor. Worked perfectly. Gonna run Castrol GTX for a couple thousand miles before I go synthetic. Also, I would not have wanted lower ramps. I had just enough clearance to work without being too cramped.

http://www.the370z.com/members/needf...img-1035xa.jpg

You're using Rhino ramps and jackstands (picture shows a Craftsman jackstand)?

The jackstands were just in case the plastic ramps collapsed. I slid them under there notice it's not actually supporting the car. Yeah I know the Rhinos are probably stronger than metal ramps. Call me paranoid but this is the first time I've used the plastic ones. Besides my 370z is a heavy girl at 3300lbs and I don't want her on top of me like that.

:rofl2:.

I think jackstands would be more than enough. At least, if you get good ones, not the crappy ones. Then again, I've only seen them go as low as 2 tons.

Which set of Rhino Ramps are you guys having success with on the 370Z?

Looking at the Rhino Ramp website there are three different sets of ramps. Two versions of the 12,000 lb ramps and then a single version of the 8,000 lb ramps.

rhino ramps are no bueno for me...i might have to just suck it up and get the race ramps..

I bought race ramps. I still shove jack stands under both sides and chock the wheels as an extra safety precaution. The race ramps are real expensive...but they sure work great and store easily.

I vote for tornado shelter.
 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/...352fd78e_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/...c067ba66_z.jpg

^^ very nice

I use Rhino 12,000 ramps with a 2x4 in front. I take off the diffusers from in front of each wheel. They rub slightly, which I doubt would be an issue, but I don't want to tear them off or anything. They're just three little plastic screws holding each on, and with them off, nothing rubs.

I have a pair of jack stands and a normal floor jack for when I need to take off the wheels. No need for low profile, as I can just run it up the ramps first.

When I measured the Nismo fascia I determined that the Race Ramps (even with the extenders) would likely rub on the lower splitter. I'd be glad to proven wrong however. :)

I purchased an AC Hydraulics DK13HLQ jack and will use the Race Ramps wheel cribs + jack stands in the front.

:tup: Excellent taste in floor jacks. I have the Griot's Garage low profile floor jack (made by Melchor Gabilondo) and the two-piece 67" RaceRamps without the extenders, but our Z is a standard model not a Nismo. Plan on picking-up the floor jack you have too (just for sport).

Thanks. I picked up the last DK13HLQ from acjacks.com. I'll post a review in the DIY section (AK should add a Tools section for reviews...) when it arrives next week. The seller lives across the state from me so the shipping wasn't too bad, but I'm sure most people would balk at the total price.

I'll still have to use starter ramps (~2 inches), but this model lifts above 20". If I want to get my wheels on 12" wheel cribs I'll have to compensate for the suspension droop in addition to the 12" crib height. Anyway I'll post pics at a later date.

Believe me, you've purchased the best floor jack available for the enthusiast and professional in the world today! You will not be disappointed. Pickup some spare wheels and o-rings if they are in stock. Most AC Hydraulic diehards stockpile replacement parts for these pups as they are lifetime keepers.

Here is the review.

http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...ck-review.html

I'll keep it updated.