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DIY Hardtop hoist ideas - brainstorming

Jammer

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If you have the top sitting on a 2x4 before you pull away you will have to lift very high in order for the spare tire to clear under the 2x4. I switched to the Topsy hooks and now I only have to lift a couple of inches before driving the Jeep out from under the hanging roof.
Yes Topsy is s great to hang it I also use them
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rav1

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Hi All, I'm exploring a slightly offbeat idea and wanted your thoughts on whether this would work or only be a source of entertainment to this community and my wife and daughter.

It's going to use a motorcycle lift to lift up the hardtop and a table to hold/store the hardtop, mainly because I intend to get the motorcycle lift anyway and I cannot drill into the garage roof for a hoist.

This is the motorcycle lift: https://www.amazon.com/XtremepowerUS-Motorcycle-Scissor-Hydraulic-Operated/dp/B00CKY3J3Y

I would place the lift on a table that's level with the bottom of the trunk, roll it in (rear tailgate and windshield open), lock the wheels, lift the hardtop, unlock the wheels and carefully roll it out onto the table.

Thoughts on things that could go wrong? would this work?
 

goboom

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Hi All, I'm exploring a slightly offbeat idea and wanted your thoughts on whether this would work or only be a source of entertainment to this community and my wife and daughter.

It's going to use a motorcycle lift to lift up the hardtop and a table to hold/store the hardtop, mainly because I intend to get the motorcycle lift anyway and I cannot drill into the garage roof for a hoist.

This is the motorcycle lift: https://www.amazon.com/XtremepowerUS-Motorcycle-Scissor-Hydraulic-Operated/dp/B00CKY3J3Y

I would place the lift on a table that's level with the bottom of the trunk, roll it in (rear tailgate and windshield open), lock the wheels, lift the hardtop, unlock the wheels and carefully roll it out onto the table.

Thoughts on things that could go wrong? would this work?
Absolutely nothing could go wrong....;) You have an interesting idea going. My hesitation would be the wheels of the lift transitioning from the Jeep to the table and vice versa with the weight of the hard top. It would be an expensive spill. Your idea could work, though. Since you are getting the lift anyway, give it a shot and post some pictures!
 

Sam_Ca

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My top-hoister. Material cost under $50.

top-hoist.jpg
Do me a favour please. Loveeeeee your setup. Because I donā€™t have space to keep the back window open. I will install winch on my celling but not sure how to secure the top without passing the straps through back window to the front. Can you post links of times you purchased. Thanks for the help and I will greatfull to you my fellow jeeper šŸ˜€šŸ˜…
 

rav1

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Absolutely nothing could go wrong....;) You have an interesting idea going. My hesitation would be the wheels of the lift transitioning from the Jeep to the table and vice versa with the weight of the hard top. It would be an expensive spill. Your idea could work, though. Since you are getting the lift anyway, give it a shot and post some pictures!
i'll post pics once I've got things setup - currently measuring and re-measuring everything - I may need a couple of 2x4's to provide additional stability. Hopefully, i'll be able to report back soon. Also learning from the ideas and measurements on this thread: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...-storage-and-removal-works-great.29016/page-3
 

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Sam_Ca

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After scouring through this section and seeing some great ideas I decided to make a DIY hard top hoist. Picked up the harbor freight hoist (420lb) and built my own frame using black steel threaded pipes and some connectors in a ā€œIā€ formation. Also picked up the Topsy hoist brackets which are fantastic. I used three pulleys to try and level it out some. The hardest part IMO was mounting the damn hoist to the wall since the HF hoist uses a bracket meant to be hung from the ceiling. All in Iā€™m out about $250 for a great lift system.

I have to say the innagural lift went perfectly and Iā€™m now going topless. :clap:

update. April 2020. Still working great. Attacking parts list for anyone who might want it. See below.

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You are the best!! I am planning same setup just stuck on building the frame! From where did get those pipes? How did you connect them? Are they strong enough ?
 

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Bought the 90$ electric hoist off e-bay and built my own bracket out of material from 80/20 company. I have it set up now for my wifeā€™s 2dr JL, but with a center rail move and a couple of 22inch extensions added it is ready for my 4dr JL.

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Speed331

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My setup. Takes about 15min to lift and less than 10 to lower and bolt down
Jeep Wrangler JL DIY Hardtop hoist ideas - brainstorming 20210514_164610
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Jeep Wrangler JL DIY Hardtop hoist ideas - brainstorming 20210514_171030
 

Sam_Ca

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Bought the 90$ electric hoist off e-bay and built my own bracket out of material from 80/20 company. I have it set up now for my wifeā€™s 2dr JL, but with a center rail move and a couple of 22inch extensions added it is ready for my 4dr JL.

E3BFF396-DC2F-4343-AF7C-C56F223A0D36.jpeg


C17140C7-A1AF-416A-A733-00B2357502E5.jpeg


2332805B-9F2E-4C4F-9F35-F425670A7224.jpeg
Xan you send you order list from 80/20? Please šŸ™
 

GATORB8

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With it so hard to find a Racor, I picked up the similar Fleximounts version on sale for $170. Seems to be of good quality, with metal mechanism and built in lock. 300 LB capacity, 9ā€™ drop.

Iā€™ve got it up over the top of my garage door, but donā€™t have the Jeep yet, can someone with a topsy kit let me know if 33ā€ is enough to clear from the platform to the bottom of the top? If not Iā€™ll have to make some adjustments.

Jeep Wrangler JL DIY Hardtop hoist ideas - brainstorming image
 
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Sam_Ca

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With it so hard to find a Racor, I picked up the similar Fleximounts version on sale for $170. Seems to be of good quality, with metal mechanism and built in lock. 300 LB capacity, 9ā€™ drop.

Iā€™ve got it up over the top of my garage door, but donā€™t have the Jeep yet, can someone with a topsy kit let me know if 33ā€ is enough to clear from the platform to the bottom of the top? If not Iā€™ll have to make some adjustments.

Jeep Wrangler JL DIY Hardtop hoist ideas - brainstorming image
Can you tell me from where did you buy it ? Racor is discontinued. So I guess flexmount will do the trick
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