Lowest profile creeper

[dcdoug]

What is the lowest profile creeper on the market? ie. When lying on the creeper, which one puts me closest to the ground and farthest away from the bottom of the car.

I had a cheap Sears creeper that broke and when I replaced it with a higher quality plastic creeper, I now find that the 1-2" of difference in profile is material and makes it harder to work under the car.

Thoughts?

[Cobra Lite]

I have seen some nice (expensive) dog bone shaped low surface creepers advertised and considered buying one...

But at a stop at Lowe's I happened to see dense foam interlocking floor mats for exercising, kids play, etc. for under $20. I picked up a set of 4 (1 pack) and gave them a try on my garage floor by changing the oil and filter on my car.

Wow

The next day I picked up another set! I use them all the time now. In fact I put my creeper in the back of the storage shed and have not pulled it out in two years and probably never will again.

The mats are much better for me to work under the car with than a creeper as I am on the floor and I find it much easier to slide in and out than to have the wheels of the creeper getting hung up on tools or other stuff. I hook as many of the mats together as I want depending on the job so that they go as far under the car as needed and still have at least one mat clear of the car. Sometimes I run them all the way across so I can enter and/or exit from either side of the car.

When I get oil on them, it washes right off although I do have some staining that doesn't bother me. They come in various colors but I only bought gray ones for the garage.

I use them outside when working on (under) the RV or on a car that won't fit in the garage. I use them when working under the dash by stuffing it on the floor over the door sill that used to cut into my side or back. I put them on the fender when working on the engine and protect the paint as well as making it more comfy for my old bones. I use them inside kitchen cabinets when plumbing requires attention. I use them when working on my knees in the yard, on the roof, or anywhere I can.

I did miss the adjustable headrest of my creeper but I learned to roll one of the mats up and secure it with a bungee or tape and put it under my head.

I keep at least 4 handy at all times for everything, padding potential hard points like where the car door may hit something hard if opened too much.

I suppose they could even be used for doing exercises... but I have carpet in the house for that purpose

As you can tell, I wish I had invented the things!

I know, you asked specifically about creepers but this is what I found is the best creeper for me...

[rustyBob]

Is it the profile of the creeper that matters ?????
or the profile of the creeper operator ?????
or would taller jack stands be in order ?????

[FWB]

12 foot ceiling and about 1100 bucks will get you a used lift installed. ask where you take your drivers to be fixed who they use for lift service, i am sure they sell refurbs or used ones takes about an hour for them to install one.

[dcdoug]

I am 6'2" 190 lbs, so my "profile" isn't overly portly. My garage is tiny, 9'x16' by a bit less than 8' tall, so no room for a lift.

As for my stands, I think they go up either 18" or 20" or I also have the taller 10" Race ramps XT. It's not that I can't get under the car, but I did find a difference in the height of creepers (I had no idea it would be significant) - and the difference was material enough for me to create a post to ask of suggestions.

I think the mats are an interesting idea and might be worth the tradeoff of not being able to roll as easily under the car.

[Bernica]

Get a KwikLift. Best thing I ever bought! I have low ceiling clearance too. Once I got it, I then found a creeper with a tilt-up head and cruise all over under the car at just the right height

[dcdoug]

Originally Posted by Bernica

Get a KwikLift. Best thing I ever bought! I have low ceiling clearance too. Once I got it, I then found a creeper with a tilt-up head and cruise all over under the car at just the right height

I like the idea, but it's pretty pricey for what it is. Something to think about though.

[tkb289]

Doug,

The foam floor mats, low profile creeper or lift are all good.

However, in a pinch, another way to go is to use a big piece of thick cardboard, like from a cut open refrigerator box. It's easy to side yourself around under the car and when it gets really dirty, just pitch it. Beats the heck out of laying on the cold concrete.

[Bernica]

I just kept watching Craig's List until one popped up. Never used Craig's before, but snagged a barely used one for $600.

[55312]

This may solve your problem. Pretty cool and inexpensive.

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/show...278#post552278


Tim

[dcdoug]

Originally Posted by 55312

This may solve your problem. Pretty cool and inexpensive.

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/show...278#post552278


Tim

I like this idea. I will probably watch craiglist for awhile and see if I can come up with a used KwikLift, but this is an interesting idea.

Not that anyone cares, but generally I think a fair price for KwikLift is more like $600-$1,000. At $1,500 for the "KwikLift Special" which is generally the stuff I think anyone would want, that's getting up towards the cost of a "real" lift, which seems ridiculous to me.

[Bernica]

If you want to go cheap, there are always Race Ramps. I have a set that I carry in the car trailer. They are strong and very lightweight. Gets the car up high enough to be able to get around under it (without a creeper). I may get a few of those pads that Cobra Lite mentioned above and throw them in the trailer too.

http://www.raceramps.com/

[dcdoug]

Originally Posted by Bernica

If you want to go cheap, there are always Race Ramps. I have a set that I carry in the car trailer. They are strong and very lightweight. Gets the car up high enough to be able to get around under it (without a creeper). I may get a few of those pads that Cobra Lite mentioned above and throw them in the trailer too.

http://www.raceramps.com/

That's what I have now (the taller 10" XT versions). I like that its easy, but I wish they were taller. Not as much room on a creeper, but using stands is a bit of a PITA and I'm getting tired of that process. I'll probably try the pads and see how that works and keep an eye out for a used KwikLift.

[rodneym]

I just bought a 'Big Red' creeper at Pep Boys that's pretty darn low. It has a metal frame that is countersunk so you're just barely about ground. Can't remember how much but remember feeling good about the purchase.

Bernica - how much lift do you need on your floor jack so you can position those rear feet on your kwik lift?

Thanks,

rodneym

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by rodneym

Bernica - how much lift do you need on your floor jack so you can position those rear feet on your kwik lift?

Thanks,

rodneym

The floor jack I have (in the pic) max's out at 19-1/2", which is just barely enough to clear the swing-down legs. It's an older Astroline 2-1/2 ton jack. I know KwikLift sells a jack that does 21-1/2", but I'm sure there are plenty around that do the same thing.

[rodneym]

Thanks, Bernica.
I've got one of those 'aluminum 1 1/2 ton racing jacks' that everyone sells. I burst the seal cranking on it while fully extended (guess I was hoping for more). I got their repair kit. 2 o-rings inside were completely blown. I guess the space shuttle taught us how much an o-ring can do!
I know some people don't like them because they're cheap and don't lift a lot but if you add oil from the get go, purge the air half way jacked (not what the sticker says) and adjust the pressure relief valve , it will be a solid little jack.
Only problem is that it's about 5 inches short for the kwiklift. I've been eying that sucker lately.
rodneym

[Bernica]

Just keep an eye on fleabay and Craig's List. They are out there. Find one with all the "extras" that you would end up buying anyways, like the extra bridge and the little steel drive-up ramps. By the time someone else is selling his, he already got that stuff.

With two bridges, you can put the whole car up on jackstands and pull all 4 wheels...another nice feature. Being able to come home, drive it up, lift it, and be cruising around under the car on my creeper (following oil leaks, checking bolts etc) in about 10 minutes is sweet! I just keep it raised up in the garage, for those moments of clarity when I think of something I want to check out.

[dcdoug]

Yep, I think that's the right approach. I the meantime, I just ordered a few foam mats for when I need a bit more clearance. I have been using cardboard from time to time and want to upgrade...