Ceiling Mount Top Lift - DIY-ish for ~$230

I needed a ceiling-mount hard top lift for my garage as I don't have the available space to have it on a cart. I looked at the available options that are made for Jeep tops and wasn't pleased with them as they were either very expensive, powered (don't need powered in my opinion for the few times I use it), or have a pulley system that seemed like the lowering would be controlled enough (I need to be able to do this myself). Another requirement I had was the need to store the top with the glass closed, which ruled out the other top lifts.

My solution: I liked the crank system of this storage system that I found on Amazon (Link) as it is self-holding, and after measuring the top, it would fit nicely in the spot I have. In conjunction with the Topsy mounts (link), this solution has come together nicely. The rack allows me to attach anywhere along it's width to make sure I'm lifting straight up on the rear of the top, and a set of ratchet straps from the rack, around the bottom of the front of the top, allows me to lift this pretty well.

The crank requires about 4-6 twists per inch of lift, so I can lift and lower pretty carefully, stop to readjust, and keep going, all by myself. I've added a few pieces of pool noodles to prevent scratching, and so far I'm pretty happy with the results for under $230. In addition, I can throw the freedom tops on top of the rack and have everything stored while still being able to drive my tractor underneath to get out.

To lift the top off, I back under the rack, lower the rack until it's resting on the top (pool noodles preventing scratching), attach short straps from the rack to the topsy mounts in the rear, ratchet strap from the rack around the front of the top, take off all the top mounting bolts/wires, and crank the top up.



Topsy Mounts installed:



Top in lifted position:



Top lowered:

Nice job

I use that same rack from Amazon. If you want powered, you can take the handle off the end put a socket on that with an electric ratchet and that’ll give you power up and down.

When I look at the link, I guess I have the old version with the unsafe attachment. That being said they did sent me a modification for the cable attachment. That has worked flawlessly for years now great great system don’t forget to unhook your topsy strap from under the front of the hard top before you drive out of the garage don’t ask me how I know.

Looks like they've updated the Fleximounts lift. I have the old "unsafe" version but I haven't had any problems. I don't leave the top hang from it though.

I accidentally ripped mine out of the ceiling and when I redid it I used the same frame but pulley’s and cables so as a safety back stop I installed a cable on a carabiner to catch it if my rack fails

Here is what I did.
- A couple lengths of conduit rack
- 4 wall hanger hooks
- 4 eye bolts
- 4 snap rings
- 1 small electric hoist from Amazon

I did one similar. Picked it up on Amazon for about $300 but went with a different 4x8 design for storage. It has a heavy-duty load limit of 650 lbs(if I remember right) and it raises and lowers with a regular drill. I picked up a bracket from Lang for the rear window since I had to mount it close to my storage rack and I won't be able to open the window while in use. I used regular ratchet straps to attach it to the lift. It works great and I can use it by myself. It really helps when backing under to put the top back on, you can push it in any direction for the final fit without damaging the top. Plus, when I'm not using it as a lift, I store all of my extra parts and junk on the rack and keep it out of the way.

Love everyon's ingenuity. Picked this up from @Quadratec, Lange Hoist-a-Top for $150 and used a wall mount for the FT's. I can leave it suspended, glass closed, no issues….

I used a similar kit from Amazon. Except I used the one that just had the 4 down cables. I took it a step further and put all the guts of the kit in the attic and just have the hooks hanging down in sight, along with the crank pole. My ceiling is not very tall and I wanted the top as close to the ceiling as I could get it.

I made an extension for the crank out of some scrap pipe I had laying around. I used ball joint rebuilt joints I found at a farm store for weights to hold the cable down and keep them from recoiling up to the ceiling when nothing is connected to the hook. Used electrical bushings to line the holes so it wouldn't rip the drywall.

Took a lot of time to measure everything out, but supper happy how it turned out.

gotbru said:

I used a similar kit from Amazon. Except I used the one that just had the 4 down cables. I took it a step further and put all the guts of the kit in the attic and just have the hooks hanging down in sight, along with the crank pole. My ceiling is not very tall and I wanted the top as close to the ceiling as I could get it.

I made an extension for the crank out of some scrap pipe I had laying around. I used ball joint rebuilt joints I found at a farm store for weights to hold the cable down and keep them from recoiling up to the ceiling when nothing is connected to the hook. Used electrical bushings to line the holes so it wouldn't rip the drywall.

Took a lot of time to measure everything out, but supper happy how it turned out.

Click to expand...

Great ideas! Do you have enough cable to drop the top to the floor if you want?

Grayhound said:

Great ideas! Do you have enough cable to drop the top to the floor if you want?

Click to expand...

Yes, plenty. There is about 4-5 wraps of cable around the bar still when the hooks hit the ground. Actually made it a PITA to keep tension on the cables to even them up.

gotbru said:

I used a similar kit from Amazon. Except I used the one that just had the 4 down cables. I took it a step further and put all the guts of the kit in the attic and just have the hooks hanging down in sight, along with the crank pole. My ceiling is not very tall and I wanted the top as close to the ceiling as I could get it.

I made an extension for the crank out of some scrap pipe I had laying around. I used ball joint rebuilt joints I found at a farm store for weights to hold the cable down and keep them from recoiling up to the ceiling when nothing is connected to the hook. Used electrical bushings to line the holes so it wouldn't rip the drywall.

Took a lot of time to measure everything out, but supper happy how it turned out.

Click to expand...

That is a great job. Took a good idea and made it better. Well done, impressive. Sorry, ran out of accolades. But love your idea and execution.