Low Car + Driveway = Fail. Help?!

[SMOKEYV35]

Hey guys,

I moved into a new rental property this week. I chose the place over others specifically because it had a big workshop/garage/carport setup behind the house and secured behind big gates.

Unfortunately, the first night I came home, and learnt that my car has some clearance issues and can't get into the driveway. The driveway doesn't look that offensive, but it's just a combination of rise and falls that makes it really bad for a lower car. Imagine a slippery slide made from concrete, thats how it looks from the side. Car has to come up off the street, clear a crest before going down a ramp, into a slight drainage depression, before levelling out into the parking area.

My car scrapes the exhuast and rear subframe plate on the way up - and then hits the front bar as I reach the drainage channel. Have tried all methods of angles in both forward and reverse, no go.

Car is legal height, only lowered on Tein H-techs (15-20mm lower than stock).

I need help trying to find a solution.

I can't reconcrete, as it's not my house and I can't put a metal plate down to even out the gradient as that part of the driveway is out on the nature strip and subject to council regulations which say I can't put anything out that would obstruct the gutter or walkway.

I'm really after something temporary that I can easily and quickly move under the car to get in and out.

I have used wooden ramps in the past to overcome this problem at another house with another car, but those things tend to shoot out under accelration (especially when i'm reversing up hill) and move around a lot.

Has anyone got any other ideas?

[(Locky)]

Air bag cups

[SMOKEYV35]

I'd love to - I've seen someone has recently released G35 cup kits for about 2k undelivered.

But maybe I should have been more specific and said i need a 'practical and affordable solution'

[Seano350GT]

damn that'd be frustrating. find the perfect house, with the perfect setup. The you realise you can't even get into the driveway lol..

So you can't put anything in the gutter to make it level? that's stupid if so..

planks might be your only option or airbags..

I only just make it in my driveway, going in i scrape the rubber under-front bar sort of thing (idk what it's called) but going down i don't scrape at all and i'm lowered just over an inch..

goodluck!

[t5iv]

I've got the same issue at my place.My solution, don't park in there unless absolutely necessary and when doing so, go in on as much of an angle as possible. Difference is, mine's factory height and still scrapes.

[SMOKEYV35]

Yer, i really don't want to leave it on the street overnight. I have had two cars keyed in the past and it's heartbreaking not to mention expensive.

I have seen some 'loading ramps' made from lightweight aluminum that are used to load mini excavators/bobcats etc onto trucks - but they are about $400.....bit exxy.

The other idea I had was to get one of those plastic speed humps you see in car parks - i reckon if i put it in just the right place it might help 'hop' the front bar over that part of the drainage dip. They cost about $70 - and I could probably get that past the council as it's not a trip hazard.

[Anfanee]

Wouldn't it be just better all round to put it back to stock height and not ruin the car?

[SMOKEYV35]

Wouldn't it be just better all round to put it back to stock height and not ruin the car?

that would rank a distant place in terms of options, slightly in front of selling up and buying a 4WD. In order to overcome the obstacle I'd probably have to raise it higher than stock.

[Anfanee]

Well that sucks. Re concrete the driveway, its the only way!

[Seano350GT]

i can sort you out with a lift kit..? couple of inches. Then you can put some 22'' cromies on it and be maaaad

Edited February 14, 2013 by Seano350GT

[drunkn snail]

i rekon just put down some ramps temporary then get onto the coucil to fix it. i remember reading about some dude on here who did exactl ythat and the council paid due to his car being at legal height

[SMOKEYV35]

Sh1t yerrrr!

Seriously though - can anyone think of something lightweight and temporary to throw down that will hold the weight of a car.

[Seano350GT]

lmfao that made my day

[SMOKEYV35]

Heres the link to the Phantom Cup Kit group buy.

http://g35driver.com/forums/suspension-vendor/422096-phantom-air-cup-kit-suspension-now-offered-statik-performance.html

The vids of it in action are pretty impressive, nearly 6-inches of lift....couldn't help send him an email to see what it would cost to get a kit to Australia.

[AngryRB]

bolt some ramps in, approach on steep angles and try to raise the exhaust more snug..

deal with council when it happens..

[SMOKEYV35]

that's probably a fair approach.

I'll just play dumb if someone complains.

Those metal sheets are not cheap though - $100's of dollars - and the last time i 'obtained' one I nearly broke my back trying to lift it onto the back of Hilux - they weigh a metric tonne!

Anyone have one laying around or know where I can get one on the cheaps?

[Deep Dish V35]

gutter/driveway is the first thing i check before i even look at a house....

for the gutter, you could dynabolt a length of 3inch pipe into the recess.... then weld the nuts on so nobody can steal it.

for the hump... no idea. if it was paved you couldve lifted them and levelled the dirt underneath...

for the dip at the bottom, best bet would be to screw together a ramp from lengthways wood and a sheet of marine ply on top... or maybe sleepers with wedge ends... even the alloy ramps would work if you chocked up the centre..

my parents built some houses in the 80's with similar fail driveways.... deep gutter, footpath that angled up, then steep decline driveway to the level garage. the first visitor had a jaguar xjs that got wedged on the hump with all four wheels hanging. funny as.

[R6n350GT]

Need pics of driveway, i used the playground rubber mesh stuff they lay down, its like really hard and great for evening out dips...

[alex182]

Need pics of driveway, i used the playground rubber mesh stuff they lay down, its like really hard and great for evening out dips...

was gonna suggest something like this.

seen things like this. one of the houses a few blocks over has these in the gutter

[SMOKEYV35]

Need pics of driveway, i used the playground rubber mesh stuff they lay down, its like really hard and great for evening out dips...

That's what I'm talkin about! Good idea. Where can i get that stuff from (and don't say my local playground haha). Clark Rubber maybe?

Alex, those things you posted are from a company called Bridgit - they cost like 300USD for a section and weigh 100kgs, imagine the postage! Good suggestion though. Maybe you can check out your neighbors to see if it has a brand?? Might be a local supplier??