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Crank vs. Manual Hoist-A-Top for my YJ ?

6K views 16 replies 7 participants last post by  jesteban 
#1 ·
Construction of our new house is nearly complete! This means I'll have a place to install a hoist for my YJ's hard top in time for the weather change. Any opinions on the Lange Originals Crank Hoist-a-Top Lange Originals 014-488 - Lange Originals Crank Hoist-a-Top™ for 76-06 Jeep® CJ-7 & Wrangler YJ, TJ with One Piece Hardtop - Quadratec vs. the Manual Hoist-A-Top Lange Originals 014-388 - Lange Originals Manual Hoist-a-Top™ for 76-06 Jeep® CJ-7 & Wrangler YJ, TJ with One Piece Hardtop - Quadratec ?
 
#5 ·
I dropped the dough for the Lange power hoist. Ceiling mounted the winch, put together the frame and popped the top. About 3 hours. Could have been quicker, I just took my time. I did have help with the winch though; its pretty heavy to hang by yourself. Could not be happier. I paid $400 delivered. I'm sure there better deals but it is still worth every penny to me.
 
#10 ·
From whom did you purchase it from? Is this the one: https://www.quadratec.com/products/12020_04.htm I'm horrendously excited to get my top off and said I'd wait until we installed a hoist... I'm about to call up some strong fellas (any takers to help my husband???) to just get the blasted thing OFF in the meantime! It's driving me nuts being on! However, the underside of my house (on stilts) is ready for it, only waiting for me to paint it which it could take a hoist before or after I painted it!
 
#6 ·
volsjp, is your setup much like mhaines? I need a fair amount of visuals if I'm even going to think about getting handy right now!

And, jp4fun, I'm not against the greater expense of the power hoist, I just usually try to do things that minimize my electrical consumption, thus looking at the manual and crank models. I'm looking at the power model right now, I'll be brutally honest, I don't even know what I'm looking at! I've become total girl over the past several years and can't seem to figure anything out anymore! Lange Originals 014-389 - Lange Originals Power Hoist-a-Top™ for 76-06 Jeep® CJ-7 & Wrangler YJ, TJ with One Piece Hardtop - Quadratec lame
 
#7 ·
I looped my line through a pulley and back up to the winch frame cutting the winch speed in half. Even at that speed I only run the winch 2 to 3 seconds total to remove and put back on. I don't think you would notice the difference in power consumption plus this makes it easier to guide the top on and off. That is why I opted for the power unit in the first place. Food for thought.
 
#11 ·
I talked to Wes at 4 Wheel Parts 877.474.4821ext 5637. He made sure I got the right hoist for my application. Sorry I never got around to posting pics. I haven't had time to dig out the camera.
 
#12 ·
Hoist are over rated. Just slide the hard top back as far as you can go until its balanced perfectly ( open the back window first so it cant pop back up and throw you off balance ) Then go to the back and balanced on the top of your head and use your arms to keep it steady. Pick it up that last few inches and then walk backwards until the top is clear of the tail of the jeep. Then squat down and gently lay it on the ground. Crawl out from under the top and remove your doors and your ready !
Installation is the reverse of removal except you balance it on your back instead of your head then military press it up above your head. Presto !
 
#13 ·
I haven't ordered anything yet, but I couldn't take it anymore! I went over to the mechanics a block away and asked if they would spare me a few minutes and their manly strength, they were glad to oblige, hopped in the jeep and rode down to take my top off for me! I'm pumped to finally have it off!
 
#17 ·
I try it again, the first couple of time, still did not work, still made the humming noise like if it was stucked, then it started working. I called 4wd and they tell me I have 30 days to return it. I think I will try it for a couple of weeks. It seems to work fine. I wonder if the way the cable was wound was making too much tension, who knows
 
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