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Home-made Hard-top hoist

3K views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  Tyr4nt 
#1 ·
Hey hard-top hoist owners,

Could someone do me a favor? I'm trying to find the center of gravity for the hard-top so that I can make my own hand crank winch hoist.

I need to know two measurements.
1) Measurement from the host to the edge of the rear window
2) Measurement from the host to the nearest edge

Thanks!!
 
#5 ·
I made my own lift using a manual winch and a frame made of out 2x6s and some hooks I had sitting around. I will try to remember to get those measurements for you tonight. If I forget, send me a PM and remind me.
 
#6 ·
make your T frame with hooks and all. Either make a loop in your cable or make the cable tie in to the T frame adjustable. Not all tops are gonna be the same. You will need some fine tuning. Then just give it a slow pull and see the reaction. If you see the front or back start to tilt you know you are not at the balance point. Adjust till you feel its the best for your top and secure in place.

For the record most ratchet straps can go in reverse whilt under load. My two strap to the celing front to back of the jeep is just as fast as the hoist. same prep time same operation for the most part.
 
#7 ·
Went home and did some quick measuring! I built a "T" shaped frame! Looking at the "T" it's 48" tall by 60" wide. Once assembled and laying on top of the Jeep with the bottom of the "T" at the rear wind, there are 2 "L" shaped hooks that slide in between the back of the hard top and the opened rear window that catch the back of the hardtop. On each side I have eye bolts that I run a tie down between to hold the front half of the top up. The hoist is attached to an eye bolt that is 18" off the rear of the hardtop. The side eyebolts are 58.5" inches apart.
 
#8 ·
Awesome! Thanks guys!

I bought a hand crank winch from Harbor Freight and found a complete winching strap from a flat bed tractor trailer (stopped the car on the interstate... wife was freaking out thinking we got pulled over lol). I plan on making the hoist this weekend (if time permits).
 
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