Help--I'm underneath and I can't get out!

[Kpwweb]

So this is really nothing that serious, more informative.

I lowered my 2016 Tahoe and got it just the way I want it. However, I'm not as thin as I once maybe was! Maybe not portly, but I wouldn't be mistaken for slight, either. I kinda get stuck between the ground and the running board. I love to work on my own vehicles, and have done quite a bit of work to the Tahoe. For anything more than a minor oil change, what does everyone do?

-use ramps.
-use a jack and jack stands?
-use a hydraulic lift (I dream!)
-enlist help of small child?
-I don't work on my own car--that is beneath me (hah!)
-other?

Just curious. Everyone have fun and be safe!

And, how easy are these to run up on ramps?

Thanks!

 

[cmatt]

I use ramps whenever possible. Jack when I've got to remove the wheels.

 

[AppocAlexx]

 

[JetBlackNali]

Ramps for the front and Jack and stands for the rear. I too was a lot thinner when I bought my truck years ago. About half way up ramp on front I stop and put a length of 2 x 4 down for rear tires to climb. When the front is up and the rears are on 2 x 4 I then have enough room to slide Jack under diff. Working on lowered vehicles can be tricky. On my old lifted Blazer on 40's I could sit upright under it to do oil changes. Loved that truck.

 

[drakon543]

Im not really into the lowered thing but ive done some work on a few at my house. I have a 2 ton low profile floor jack at home i originally purchased when i had a 91 camaro. It has a twin piston pump setup so i get more out of each stroke so even if i can only get half a pump out of the handle its not overly annoying. Off hand the end and approx 12 in up the body only needs like 2 inches of clearance. Id have to get measurements on the rest but anyway i picked it up at harbor freight.

 

[iamdub]

I have an aluminum low-profile "racing" floor jack from Harbor Freight (GREAT jack for a great price!). My Tahoe isn't lowered yet, but my S10 was slammed and it had the factory ground effects (Xtreme). I would drive it up on a 2x6 then use a factory scissor jack to get it high enough for the floor jack to get under it. The frame wasn't that low, but the side skirts kept the jack from reaching the frame unless it was already picked up a couple inches. A regular non-low-profile jack would've been useless. Kinda ridiculous, but it's not like I had to jack it up weekly. For the rear, I just put the jack under the diff, got it up with a few pumps then put jack stands under the leaf spring plates.

For my Tahoe, I'm sure it'll be a similar process except maybe I can just drive it up on a 2x6 then go straight to the floor jack from there. For the rear, I use a wooden block on the jack and lift it by the hitch until it's high enough to put the axle on jack stands.

I've never had much luck with ramps except with front wheel drive cars. Trucks just push the ramps along the concrete.

I may use my wheel/tire money for a 2-post lift if I run across a deal too good to pass up.

 

[Kpwweb]

All great info! Thanks to all!