[timmy2004]

Can anyone recommend a hardtop hoist. My garage is getting to full and I need to store it overhead. ive seen the single and the double pulley. any pros and cons would be helpful. I live in a townhouse so above my garage is my master bedroom, not an attic. also no rafters to hang over in garage, so need to bolt right to stud or joist. Any suggestions for building somethin myself also is appreciated. Thanks guys.

 

[Scout]

This is the only one I've ever seen.

http://www.langeoriginals.com/hoist.htm

I don't know anything else about it though.

 

[timmy2004]

Thanks,
I think Im gonna try an electric hoist from harbor freight and just get some nylon rope to secure it.

 

[jeeperman]

I used to use ratchet straps, and some I bolts to secure my top. The hoist makes it MUCH easier to do on your own though.

 

[BUSAFREAK]

Thanks,
I think Im gonna try an electric hoist from harbor freight and just get some nylon rope to secure it.

That's what I did, but I used ratcheting straps:

I also do not have rafters in the garage attic. It creates a problem if you want to raise the top almost flush to the ceiling and I needed the top almost flush. So what I did was cut the hole in between two studs, and layered different size 2x4's like a pyramid to distribute the weight and get the winch raised. I did this on 2 sides parallel to each other and not parallel to the attic studs. The longest ones in the bottom.
I then purchased a 4' piece of steel pipe that is squared and has holes in it from Home Depot (don't know what it's called) But it's strong. The winch's top (from Harbor Freight) has 2 brackets on top that bolt to it. I slid the pipe through the winch's brackets and rested the pipe between the 2x4 raised lifts that I made so that the winch rests between them. I then centered the winch to the hole in the ceiling and lag bolted the pipe to the 2x4's.

I raised the winch enough so that the winch hook would go inside the attic.

Now I can raise the top really close to the ceiling.

 

[BUSAFREAK]

Also I was advised to not hook up the ratchet strap hooks to the bottom of the top because it may distort it's shape. So I got a piece of 2x4 and a couple of eye bolts and did this:

I went a step further and hard wired the winch to the attic light fixtures electrical. All butter from there and the whole job took me around 2 hours.

 

[jeeperman]

Also I was advised to not hook up the ratchet strap hooks to the bottom of the top because it may distort it's shape. So I got a piece of 2x4 and a couple of eye bolts and did this:

I went a step further and hard wired the winch to the attic light fixtures electrical. All butter from there and the whole job took me around 2 hours.

I like this setup, very clean, easy and cheap! Very nice.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I've used a Hoist-a-top by Lange (www.quadratec.com) for 4 years. I works great and keeps the top out of my way when its off. It's never damaged my top, unlike some other meathods might.

 

[RedRubiTJ]

I previously used ratched straps and 2x4's - didn't like it much.

I bought the Lange hoist a top (not powered) with the come along - better.

Then I went to HF and found the same winch they use ($30), made a mounting bracket out of angle iron - bestestest.

 

[timmy2004]

thanks for the help guys. Im going to get the HF hoist tomorrow.

 

[RedRubiTJ]

Just so this is clear, I am using the Lange Hoist a top (not powered version) in conjunction with a HF hoist.

 

[timmy2004]

I got the HF hoist, mounted it, and was going to use the ratchet straps. dont like the straps. decided to build the t bar (like the one quadretec sells) using galvanized steel superstrut and rubber coated bicycle hooks. If it works good, Ill post pics. wish me luck.

 

[Scout]

Luck = wished.

 

[TxFireman1972]

BUSAFREAK...you have any pics of your winch setup?