Dabolt55, nice simple setup. One thing I would suggest is after you crank the top up to where you want, put the remaining strap (that's hanging towards the floor) up on the top itself so they aren't hanging down. I noticed when you pulled the Jeep back inside, and got out, the strap got closed in the door. I would hate for it to do that as you were leaving, and pull the strap off of the top. The last thing you need is the top falling to the floor.
There are 3 lil 4x4 in the attic connected to wooden I beams. Then I've been using 1x1 square tubing its shaped like a tee. I'll try to get pics of it later. Buddy has it right now... he's had it for a lil to long... I need to get that back now that I think of it...
I have the Hoist-a-Top and can take the top on and off by myself. I just mounted it like the instructions said, then put in 4 eye bolts and use ratchet straps to hold the top in place once I lift it to my garage ceiling. Works great for me. Not bad for a $120 investment.
where are you guys seeing them for $120 from Quadratec? I see $159 on their site.
I'm selling mine for $125 shipped in the classified section if anybody is interested. I guess my price might be a little high though if Quadratec has them for $120?
I use this winch mounted on the wall and a few ceiling mounted pullys to lift of my hard top. But the gearing on the winch is super slow to crank by hand, so I use a electric hand drill and a 3/4" (i think) socket instead of the handle...works perfect.
There are 3 lil 4x4 in the attic connected to wooden I beams. Then I've been using 1x1 square tubing its shaped like a tee. I'll try to get pics of it later. Buddy has it right now... he's had it for a lil to long... I need to get that back now that I think of it...
How heavy would a 2 Door hard top be? I don't have a garage atm and was hoping to just get in the back and transfer it over to a platform of some sorts this summer.
They are just very awkward for 1 person to handle. They can be lifted off if you have 2-3 buddies to grab a side. I believe the hard top is somewhere around 140 lbs.
Got my LJ top off with just me and my 5'4" -100lb wife. Wasn't too heavy, just awkard. Have since installed a Harken hoist, so putting it back on is a breeze. Here's a link, though they can be bought elsewhere for less...
They are just very awkward for 1 person to handle. They can be lifted off if you have 2-3 buddies to grab a side. I believe the hard top is somewhere around 140 lbs.
DEXTREME i really like that geared winch, much better than the ratchet winch you get with the Hoist-a-Top system.
If I was removing/installing my hardtop on a frequent basis I would say get a device like DEXTREME is showing as the ratchet winch is sort of a pain and if you are not careful it can disengage allowing the top to free-fall. I remove my hardtop once/year so I'll deal with the slow ratchet.
The rack itself I made out of scrap metal I had left over from replacing a garage door opener track. I welded some scrap chain on it to add some weight for it to lower easy, and it gives me options for balance points.
Basically I lower it down on the hard top, hook up 3 ratchet tiedowns. Lift it off with the drill to the ceiling
Oh and those ladder hooks in the beam is where I hang my full doors.
d-rings in ceiling joist of garage and sturdy rope . drive under unbolt pull up tie off drive out. can still park in garage. when you put top back on back in let ropes down bolt down dive out. simple!!!
Hey folks, I just bought a '04 LJ with hard top, and need to rig something up to take it off (and put back on). Unfortunately, I don't have a carport or garage, so will have to figure something out for outside. I looked at Harbor Freight's portable hoist, but am concerned about lifting the top using only one point of lift. Any suggestions? Thanks.
the hoist probably wont go high enough. You can't lift it off of one point, you would need to rig it up. I just use a friend to help lift it off. I've done it with my wife a few times, but I use a friend to store it on my roof.
i have a question.. have you noticed using the hooks from the ratchet straps is putting stress on the jeep hardtop or ruining the rubber seal? im very interested in putting this up in my garage for my wife and I and we would store the top long term in the summer hanging from our ceiling most likely. Great video!
I did the ratchet strap thing for a few years in my previous house's low ceiling carport.
Inexpensive and worked great.
I bought the Lange Hoist a Top when we bought our current house a few years ago. The garage has a fairly high ceiling and the straps would be difficult.
The only drawback is that the T-Bar lift is supported by one center point. This allows the top to swing around freely while suspended in the air. No problemo, I have some extra ratchet straps that I secure the top with while in storage.
I used the included come-a-long. I would love an electric hoist, but I could not justify the added cost. I've only put the hard top on once in the last 3 years!
Great Thread for us Newbs. Im getting ready to figure out a hoist system for my 2 door hard top on my Jk. I hate to go buy one when it looks so easy to build.
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