JL hardtop removal

[Jolonghorn]

My garage is 8’ tall but has open rafters. I installed the Lange hoist, which is pricey, but super easy to use. I installed the hoist above the rafters so able to get the top right up against the rafters.

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[jayteal]

Do you, or anybody else, have the dimensions used for installing the harken? I have the Harken as well but still no Jeep. Would like to install it just so it’s done and ready but want to make sure I get the eyelets etc all install In the correct/best spots. Thank you

The eyelets generally are spaced to match the lift points on the top itself. Since you have a JLUR too, I spaced my eyelets running longways with 3' between each eyelet and then running the width of the top at 4' between the two eyelets. You can move them a few inches either way to address the angle of the ropes - whatever you're comfortable with. You can see the lift points on my picture - basically at the corners of the top around the side and rear windows. I installed mine a bit too close to the side and back wall of the garage to where I really need to back up the Jeep close to the walls....but it works great and I've gotten used to making a tight parking fit. I would say you need at least 2' clearance from a side wall and 8-10' from the rear wall. Of course you may need to avoid door openers etc...Hope this helps.

 

[Chaz Monroe]

I messaged Topsy yesterday about them making their own hoist - they are about 3 or 4 months out and are working on whether it’s powered or not. He said they are trying to keep cost around $300. I might hold out and see what they come out with.

 

[Movingday]

I messaged Topsy yesterday about them making their own hoist - they are about 3 or 4 months out and are working on whether it’s powered or not. He said they are trying to keep cost around $300. I might hold out and see what they come out with.

Racor lift with Topsy brackets is a home run in my opinion.

 

[Chaz Monroe]

Racor lift with Topsy brackets is a home run in my opinion.

I agree. The guy at Topsy had nothing but good things to say about the racor lift. I am just curious to see what they come up with.

 

[Movingday]

I agree. The guy at Topsy had nothing but good things to say about the racor lift. I am just curious to see what they come up with.

I would imagine it will resemble the racor so their brackets and straps still fit it

 

[x3L]

Bro-in-law is doing a custom welded uni-strut trolley system that we are attaching the harken hoist to. Should be top notch.

 

[VNT]

How much does the hard top acutally weigh?

 

[melendez69]

How much does the hard top acutally weigh?

There's a handful of other threads addressing this, but this one has the weight in a range of between 80 - 120 lbs. I tried lifting myself from inside just to test it out, and I think it's closer to 100.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/hardtop-weight.4301/

 

[VNT]

Thanks

I was going to build a hoist but I will make a cart and store in the garage against the wall, can bribe a few friends twice a year with some beer to help me take it off and on. It looks to me to be more work attaching things into the ceiling of my garage versus rolling on a cart. Maybe just the wife and I can do the swap if she can handle it. Well see. Awaiting for her Sahara to come in, was supposed to ship yesterday. I assume a couple more weeks before it arrives, ordered dual tops.

 

[Sorbs]

For my TJ, I built a hoist with a Harbor Frieght 1,300LBS hoist. I think, with the 20% coupon, its $115.00. Bolted it to the rafters. I use two nylon straps in an X cross-over for the roof and a bungey to keep it from spinning when hoisted.

All in less than $125.00 and works great. Looking forward to using it for my JLR when it arrives.

 

[BIGDOGS]

Do you, or anybody else, have the dimensions used for installing the harken? I have the Harken as well but still no Jeep. Would like to install it just so it’s done and ready but want to make sure I get the eyelets etc all install In the correct/best spots. Thank you

I installed my Harken yesterday for my JLU Sahara. Took about 4 hours, but I took my time and had to relocate it once because I didn't like how I had it centered in my garage. The distance from front to rear hooks was 70". Distance between hooks side to side was 47" in front and rear.
Distance from the rear hooks to the wall MUST be greater than the desired lifting height (in other words, if you want to lift it up 24", the "rope organizer" must be at least 24" from the rear wall. There is an option to run the ropes over to the side of the Jeep instead of rear, too.
One BIG FRUSTRATION: I installed this thing, lifted the top, opened the garage door, and it was pouring buckets of rain outside and I couldn't go out and play!!!

 

[Bearded_Dragon]

I installed my Harken yesterday for my JLU Sahara. Took about 4 hours, but I took my time and had to relocate it once because I didn't like how I had it centered in my garage. The distance from front to rear hooks was 70". Distance between hooks side to side was 47" in front and rear.
Distance from the rear hooks to the wall MUST be greater than the desired lifting height (in other words, if you want to lift it up 24", the "rope organizer" must be at least 24" from the rear wall. There is an option to run the ropes over to the side of the Jeep instead of rear, too.
One BIG FRUSTRATION: I installed this thing, lifted the top, opened the garage door, and it was pouring buckets of rain outside and I couldn't go out and play!!!

I installed a Harken a few weeks ago as well. So far I love it!

 

[NorCalSahara]

Built this setup yesterday. Took about 30 minutes to install, about $40 in parts and I can remove and reinstall in about 10minutes each way. Not the prettiest setup but it’s solid and works well and I can do it all myself.

 

[Jeeper]

Using Racor lift with Topsy brackets, how close to a ceiling can you get the bottom of the hard top?

Also can you use the Racor lift without the tray? Like can you connect the cables to the Jeep without the tray part?

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