Water-shed Ramps for your El Camino or Pickup Truck by lime3D
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I made it at TechShop

A common problem with El Caminos (especially 1973-1977)  is that the bed is sloped slightly towards  the front. This means that rain water collects at the front of the bed, and tends to cause water leaks inside the car's interior. One solution is to always park on a slope (like a driveway) or on car ramps, but this isn't always possible or convenient.

This instructable will show you how to create a pair of low-profile ramps that can be kept in the bed of your El Camino or pickup truck. These ramps don’t take up much room, and can be used whenever and wherever you need.

Materials:
(3) 2” x 4” x 8’ studs
2-1/2 drywall screws

Tools:
Miter saw
Cordless driver
 
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Step 1: Cut the lumber

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Using the miter saw, cut 10 lengths (5 for each ramp) of 2 x 4's, 20 inches long, with a 60º miter on one end.

Place 5 boards side by side to mark and cut a top board.
rurban1 says: Nov 2, 2012. 3:15 PM
too much work. just take a treated 6x6x10 post cut the ramp using a chainsaw. all it takes is one cut and you've got yourself (2) ramps. you can then go to home depot and buy handles that you can screw in. i made mine over a year ago and use them all the time to level my truck when I have the truck camper on it in the wilderness. it works fantastic and the handles make it easy to carry. Rob
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lime3D (author) says: Nov 3, 2012. 7:49 AM
Step 1: Buy a Chainsaw.

Too expensive.
HandySun says: Aug 20, 2012. 3:11 PM
How sturdy are these? Hear any creaking or anything? My car is low to the ground, and it really scares me to get under this thing to do oil changes. Do you suggest I get under it with your idea? I found gentle sloped race ramps, but they're really expensive.

Any suggestions on wood that I could use for this that'll hold weight enough for this application?
lime3D (author) says: Aug 20, 2012. 7:04 PM
These are rock solid.
l8nite says: Aug 20, 2012. 2:28 PM
Actually a lot of pickups have this problem. I have 2 ford rangers, one has some rust holes at the front of the bed so it drains but the other one, which also gets driven less, tends to collect rain water. While curb mining I found several cut off 4x4's about 2.5feet long, I lay 2 in front of each front tire and drive up on them. Someday I should probably attach them together and make some kind of rope handle. Nicely done"instructable" ....
ljhhontx says: Aug 20, 2012. 10:23 AM
I had a Ranchero with the same problem, would fill the hole behind the seats with water, this is a great idea, so was selling my Ranchero.
artcfartc says: Aug 14, 2012. 11:46 AM
I love it! I'm totally making these for my '73 Ford Ranchero.
lime3D (author) says: Aug 15, 2012. 5:00 AM
Great! Would you like to vote for it in the Fix & Improve It Contest contest?
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