I live in a early 1950s neighbourhood when I suppose ground clearance was much higher. With the F430 having a 4 inch clearance, I was concerned I would be scrapping the front-end. I search the web for ramps and though there many available I wasn't sure if they would work for me. So I decided to build my own.

The effort to build the ramp was all hands-ons. I came up with a design which I felt was strong yet light. I put 3 2x4 across and 5 1x4 vertically.

I spent about $85 for materials. I would have spent about 30 less if I hadn't screwed up on the wood. After I built one I tested it with one of my cars and it didn't break,yeah!
So I built a 2nd one exactly(well almost) like the first.

So far the ramps are working out great. It is possible to bring the car into the garage without the ramps but I only did it once with the help of the InterCity transport driver. Brought the cart in at a sharp angle for about 3 feet and then made a sharp turn left and made it on to the driveway with 1/2 inch clearance. Too chicken to try it myself.

 

Are the flags on there to mark the location of the ramps?

I was looking into something like this a while back, but I'm glad you found a cheaper solution.

 

Yes to mark the location.I picked up bicycle flags from Walmart for about $5.50 each. I cut them down to about 4ft and they work pretty good. At least I know if I'm way off.

 

Your curb does t even look steep at all. I wouldn't think you need the ramps if you just angle the car.

 

It's sometimes difficult to capture the true angle in pictures. I remember looking at a house on zillow (years ago) where the driveway appeared normal, but in person was menacing. The renters at the time had a Toyota Camry with a badly damaged front bumper.

Do you take off the flags as soon as you hit the ramps?

 

Djantlive you make a valid point. I was able to drive up up the curb once with the guidance of the transport driver. He told me I made it with 1/2 inch of clearance. I don't like using the ramps as it is a hassle to put them down and pick them up but they work. Each is about 15lb.

ROD the flags come off right away as it draws too much attention.
In the future I would like to obsolete the ramps with my superior ramp driving skills :-)

 

There are two hurdles to overcome:

1) The curb
2) The driveway.

Once I get over the curb the bumper can also scrap on the driveway, did it to my 91 TT Z. When I brought the car (F430) at an angle after a few feet I had to make a sharp turn left otherwise the driveway would have nailed it. With the ramps I don't worry about either.

 

Ramps are a good idea and flags too. If you lined the car up almost parallel to the edge there, than cut the wheel you'd be fine, no ramps needed.The trick is to get the car on the plane FULLY parallel to the gradient before making it perpendicular to the gradient (by turning the wheel) and committing to the incline.

 

Sunir, you hit the nail on the head. As I get more confident I may try that. I guess to back out I would use the reverse process. Yes life would be easier without the ramps and flags. :-)

--thanks