I'm sure this has been done many times before, but just got done installing and thought I would share. Paid $130 for this rack from Amazon, but have seen it as low as $99. Works well and I figure if I ever get rid of the Jeep (not likely), I can still use it to store stuff.
I just got installing my racor rack 10 minutes ago. Now we just need some decent weather. I swear we have had at least sprinkles nearly every day for the last month.
Just curious, why did you go with a rack like that?
I have the Harken Hoist and because there isnt an extra rack there it can go up higher. I am able to get it up high enough so that I have room to walk under it with my 10' ceiling. (I am 6'3")
Dont mean to hijack your thread, but I put my freedom panels on top like you see. Is that safe?
I don't know if it's safe. I was afraid to put all that weight directly on the roof. Also, with the rack, I can store my soft top on there during the winter. If I had 10' ceilings I would be able to walk under the racor. That was just dead space for me anyway, above the car.
I have 12' ceilings in the garage, so plenty of height with it lifted all the way up. I bought this rack so I could use it to store other things besides the hard top. In the winter I can throw the soft top and boxes up there and if I ever get rid if the Jeep, still use it for storage.
I used large lags for the 2x4s. 4 lag bolts evenly spaced into the joists. I had to use the 2x4s to drop the rack a bit to clear the lighting. It's extremely sturdy.
OMG, that is SWEET! Now THAT'S a Vette! Not like the new ones that don't even look like a Vette, lol. :awesome: ....are you the original owner? You could have always taken a picture of it next to your Jeep, lol.
I don't know why, but I'm not seeing any pictures from you...what year's your Vette? I've got a 66 hogging up my garage and wasting all my Saturdays with vacuum leaks around the carb.
I don't know why, but I'm not seeing any pictures from you...what year's your Vette? I've got a 66 hogging up my garage and wasting all my Saturdays with vacuum leaks around the carb.
I am new to Jeeps and my skill level is still in it's infancy. All I have done at this point really is install a lift (control arms, springs, shocks, front and rear track bar, sway bar links and discos, brake line extensions, bump stops, re-center and square axles, reset pinion/caster, self alignment), front and rear bumpers, winch, tire carrier, relocation of tag and third-brake light, sPod, off-road lighting (windshield, LED bar on winch, rock lights), wheels, sliders, soft top, cargo straps, and some stick-ons (sill plates, decals, etc.). Some pretty basic stuff. I feel at this point with my limited knowledge, it is better to leave the posts to the pros.
And the Vette's a 1970, with no vacuum problems at the carb. However, the headlight buckets are slow to go up. I think the vacuum canisters need rebuilding. 66s are very nice. 67s are my favorites.
This is a great rack! I use it basically the same as others stated.....Stores the soft top and everything needed in the winter, and for the summer, lifts up the hard top and I store the freedom panels on top. Everything up and out of the way!
I was going to go Harken but the Racor looks extremely sturdy. I like the rack for the Freedom panels. Right now it's 4 eye bolts and ratchet straps but I don't like the top to hang for too long like that.
I'm brand new owner of a Jeep Unlimited and want to get a hoist for my hard top, but I've read many posts that warn about harming the seals, warping the top etc. on the Racor lift how do you avoid those issues and still secure the top? Thanks for any input in advance.
I use one as well. try zip tying water noodles to the bottom side at each end so you can drop the rack all the way down to the hard top. seemed a little safer and stronger to me being closer to rack.
Just curious, some homebrew solutions I saw on YouTube used large padded J-hooks to grab at 4 (some only used 3!) points instead of straps. Any thoughts on that? And do you think using the Racor without the rack would diminish the stability at all? I don't really need the rack, but could use the extra bit of clearance.
My buddy installed clips on his hardtop to attach the hoist. He likes the way that works, but it adds another inch to the height of the jeep with the hardtop on. In his case he is BARELY able to pull the jeep into the garage with the top on.
Running straps under and around to hoist it seem to work pretty well for everyone else I have talked to.
Have the Harken hoist for the top (it's awesome) and I have a ~9' garage ceiling. Wasn't the easiest to put up myself, so if you have a 2nd set of hands (aside from a wife....trust me) it would be much easier. Now that it's up, I love. Keep in mind, it sucks the first time you're working on the jeep or park it in the middle and go throwing yourself up in the front seat, while hitting your head on the underside of the top. You won't do it more than once or twice though.
Built the hanging racks for the doors, freedom tops, soft top in winter, etc. Works fantastic. Huge space saver.
I use two 1500# rated straps. I hook one end to the rack and weave it through the rack until end, it then wraps under the back of the hard top, I use a couple foam wraps to protect the seals, then it runs inside the top. Unlike the photo at first I now wrap it through by the rear doors and use foam to protect the corner. The strap then runs to the ratchet.
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