I am considering building a lube pit similar to one pictured. Back in the 80s there were many of these left over from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Not sure why they fell out of favor unless its the fact not many people change oil themselves or lube anything anymore.
I knew a guy that had an old garage that he dug a pit in and had the walls formed up with concrete. I believe it was filled in sometime around 95 after the new owners drove into the pit.
I am thinking of putting mine outside, I may have the perfect grade.
My neighbor had a pit in the garage when I was a kid. He had a 49 ford and a 53 merc. Can’t for the life of me remember if he had a ladder or steps but had planks covering it. Nothing wrong with your idea if you plant some bushes around to shield it.
As I speak, the oil is draining on one car. Don’t need a ramp or anything for it, but I’m skinny. The other car I need to Jack up just a little. I have Ramps and stops fir them so they don’t slide, but really hardly ever use them.
Looking at it again, just a caution on concrete blocks. They can easily split. Having that solid concrete topping will spread the load but still I think I would fill some of the cores with concrete to add strength. You could use solid landscape blocks instead with the poured concrete topping. Make it look like a flower bed.
I’m uncomfortable with the concrete ramps you show. They seem narrow, especially if you are working under cars with different track widths. I’d prefer portable ramps that can be used with any track width and can be stored when not in use. Ramps as long as the ones you show would require a spotter to keep you from driving off the sides, IMO.
How many times a year are you changing engine oil that would warrant the expense of building a safe pit, you know, stuff like a foundation, wall/ramp materials and concrete toper?? Remember that cinder blocks are not designed for heavy lateral weight forces…
Mechanics have been pulling vehicles on 4 post lifts and alignment racks without spotters since they were invented, just have to be smart about it and know your trac width and where to line your tire up on the rack, you can open the door with the window down and look to see where you are on the rack… Just like pulling in your garage, don’t need a spotter to keep from hitting your mirrors do you?? If so you should not pull it in the garage… lol
Also, that pic doesn’t show a “pit.” A “pit” is the big hole where you can stand and do your business under the car. The pic just shows dicey (unsafe) concrete and brick ramps. If that’s all you want, just get the rhino ramps and use where and as needed, so long as they’re on a solid surface.
I used Rhino ramps for oil and filter changes. While narrow, they have ridges about 1” tall on either side to alert the driver to falling off the sides. They are easy to store in the garage or shed.
In many states an inground lube pit in the garage is ILLEGAL - unless it has some safety features. One is an egress that doesn’t involve moving the vehicle. Another is proper venting.
I built my own ramps (out of wood) and then recently had to modify them to accommodate the low height of my Vette. I also have a quickjack for the times I need to get the wheels off the ground.
