Does anyone have this product? Looking to get some opinions. I like the fact that it stores hardtop, doors, and freedom panels. I've been kicking around the idea of a hoist in my garage, but the problem is a very low ceiling and limited garage space.
I'm waiting until my new Rubicon comes in and gets the lift & tires to see if it fits in my garage and has room above for a Harken Hoister. if not, I was planning on one of these Hoist-a-Carts for sure.
Welp, from the video, I now know the Hoist-A-Cart certainly isn't going to be operable inside my garage. I had to abandon my own electric hoist project because of low ceiling.
I've got another idea in the works, but I'm also watching this product. I want to know if it's sturdy when rolling our expensive roof and doors around. Looks pretty rickety at a glance, but that might be fixable.
I bought one. It got delivered yesterday. I won't have the time or the weather to put it together and use it for a few weeks, but I'll be sure to post my experience with it.
Last year I used the Racor lift and it worked great. Left the top hanging all summer. I moved in October though and the new garage has a low ceiling. The hoist a cart seems like it'll fit the bill. I plan to lift it in the driveway and then roll the whole thing into the garage when it's on the cart.
Here is a reply that I received from Lange about heights of the cart.
"The cart is 6 feet 9 3/8 inches in the lowest/storage position, so it will easily fit through a standard 7 foot tall garage door. The Hoist-A-Cart has multiple height settings to be able to accommodate all stock Jeeps and most lifted Jeeps. Hope this helps.
Here is a reply that I received from Lange about heights of the cart.
"The cart is 6 feet 9 3/8 inches in the lowest/storage position, so it will easily fit through a standard 7 foot tall garage door. The Hoist-A-Cart has multiple height settings to be able to accommodate all stock Jeeps and most lifted Jeeps. Hope this helps.
Yep, I got the same email from Jacob. I emailed them to ask about the height and ease of rolling it into the garage. I'm hoping it's as easy as it sounds.
I've got the manual hoist from Lange and it works great; there is a 2 and 4 door version so it's important to select the correct one.
I had the opposite problem as the OP as my ceiling is very high and the cable with the new product was not long enough. Luckily my neighbor had an old one and I was able to use his cable with my new frame and hoist.
Any other reviews on this? I wanted to get something nice for storage and came across this to help get it off the jeep as well. I was also considering a garage hoist, but have height limits...Seems like it could kill two birds with one stone?
not sure how you came up to $1500 - for the hoist and cart advertised at $499.99 - for the two doors and freedom panel add $149.99 for the rear doors add $99.99 for a total of $749.97 - and there are discounts out there that can get you below $700 - not too bad for a hoist so you reduce the risk of dropping it, and consolidated storage.
There have been a couple other threads documenting experiences with this. Overall, most people wish the assembly process was more clear and easier to follow. I had some initial issues with the winch but now that it's all worked out I've taken the top off and back on one time so far. It is a good product once you get past the initial headaches. We are supposed to start getting nice warm weather in the Carolinas in a couple of weeks so I will have some more experience with it then.
Got mine from @Quadratec a couple of weeks ago, thanks Rick. I did have an issue with two missing parts for the Freedom Top / Door hanger. I called Lange and they shipped the missing parts. As others have said, assembly instructions are a little lacking, but there is a DVD included. My instruction sheet started at like step 5. All in all, I like it and can't wait to use it. We've had the weather, just not the time or opportunity yet.
It looks really cool, and a real viabale solution to those with no garage and/or no help. But boy, it just looks uncomfortable watching when that top is hanging there and you pull it away from your Jeep.
I hope it works for many of you, an innovative solution for sure.
It looks really cool, and a real viabale solution to those with no garage and/or no help. But boy, it just looks uncomfortable watching when that top is hanging there and you pull it away from your Jeep. I hope it works for many of you, an innovative solution for sure.
Haha! I agree. I was definitely a little nervous watching a $1500 piece of fiberglass swing from a wire 7 feet above my driveway. It really is solid and as long as you make sure to crimp the wires nice and tight, you won't have to worry. I made sure to pull on the hooks with more weight than the top to make sure those crimps wouldn't slip. Once I was comfortable with that, I never really worried.
I noticed that on the lift there is a bolt going through the main vertical riser. If I was to remove the bolt could the lift go lower than the stated height. My garage opening cuts it close.
Yes there are multiple holes on the vertical riser that allow you to raise the lifting arm to get high enough above the Jeep. I just went out and measured mine. Right now I have it fully collapsed as low as it will go. It measured right at 72" tall.
Good idea to use some painters tape on hardtop rear and front corners to decrease the chance of scratching when top is on driveway and when tilting up on cart for storage.
Don't ask me why I know to do this in the future.....
For $100 less I'd just get a 1,000 Gantry Crane. Northern tool has it for $50 off, plus a coupon code for another $50 making it $399 with free story pickup
Anyone know the width of the cart in the most narrow position? I live in an apartment and want to take the top off, but don't have the option for a lift mounted to the ceiling. I have a good sized storage room with a fairly good sized door. Just not sure how much room I'm working with. I have a two door and would not be taking off the doors.
Great as a storage device. I did not have problems with assembly, and the unit is solid.
Don't know if I am happy with the price I paid: The winch is the cheapest junk I can imagine using and the freedom top storage is a little lacking in my opinion, however every other storage option is great and the unit is sturdy.
What are the dimensions of the cart including the crane if sticking out in back? Only have a standard door to get the top on cart through to store it. Used to have a Bestop cart and all would fit through without issue.
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