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Best roof hoist 18-19 JLU

kiese02

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I also use the Harken hoist and am amazed at how simple it is for me to take the top off by myself.
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DaveN007

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I went the Garage Smart route and I am disappointed with the design because it’s clear that it was built for unlimited and NOT the two door top. It’s serviceable, but despite paying for “professional installation” I will need to modify the way it attaches to the roof to avoid damage. I’m a stock Jeep, “pay somebody else” kind of guy. This is one of those times when being “handy” would be a benefit. Feel free to gloat and attack my manhood, but be prepared to get hit back.

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AZRubicon

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2020 Rubicon, loaded. My fear was also me and everything else. Last thing I wanted was to have the top fall to the floor or worse, on the hood of the Jeep.

The images below outline the solution.
  1. Racor top from Amazon
  2. Topsy hinge mount and strap
  3. Several 3" foam pipe insulation tubes
  4. Four (4) - 3" x 7" U-bolts
Everything is perfect so far and safe, although I still go look after a few hours. My only issue is my ceiling is low and the 2" Mopar factory lift, Which is actually 3", made the brake light above the spare hit the top even though I have the rack as far up as it will go with the freedom panels on it. Solution, open back window for now until I can adjust the eye-bolt on Racor rack.

The U-bolts were used as an extra layer of protection, there is no way this rack come off the ceiling.

All told, took about three or four hours to make sure everything was perfect, small effort considering what sits under it and a replacement top if it fails.

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Wapiti

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Sorry in advance for hijacking the thread a bit, but has anyone on here re-purposed a JKU t-bar for a JLU? I've got one I made way back in 2008 out of channel strut and cut-off u-bolts that I've used for 2 different JKUs; I'm guessing the hardtops are similar enough that it should work but I'd like to know for sure...
 

Kraty1

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+1 Harken Hoist, no problems using for hardtop or soft top!
 

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56nomad56

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We went with the Lange Hoist-A-Top Simple, it was cheap and easy to install. Stock has the winch on the back wall of the garage, but we didn't have room there so a quick call and they sent us a different version that could mount on the side wall instead.

I tried to upload a pic of it installed but site said file was too big, even though I reduced it to 630KB???
 

Snayte

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TrewJL

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Sorry in advance for hijacking the thread a bit, but has anyone on here re-purposed a JKU t-bar for a JLU? I've got one I made way back in 2008 out of channel strut and cut-off u-bolts that I've used for 2 different JKUs; I'm guessing the hardtops are similar enough that it should work but I'd like to know for sure...
Don't I had mine on the old JK Lange and the "J" binded with the window and the it busted, then the weight was off and the whole top crashed to the ground. Not fun and the rear windows were on back order not to mention they are 1k.
I went with a Garage Smart and it's awesome.
 

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Gee-pah

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I'm looking for a roof hoist...many options but what's your experience? I did a search as I'm sure it's been addressed but opinions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

And I know...roof not rood!
OP:

@Willcbooth makes an interesting point as follows:

You've asked for roof hosts--which to my way of thinking (and perfectly acceptable, mind you, on your part) are devices that pull a hard top towards a garage's ceiling.

I don't want to hijack your thread but would you be interested in products like the OP's creation, the Hoist-a-Cart, the Top Lift Pro or the Freedom Jack that lift the hard top from below? Many of these devices can hold the hard top in reverse direction from how it sits on the JL, at the back of the driveway, with the device's wheels under the hood of a fully pulled into the driveway JL, such that they take up minimal garage space. It looks like this, only with the hard top on the device, rather than the rig:

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Such devices also allow you to bring the hard top to the rig, rather than the rig to the hoist, come time to reinstall the hard top.

Cheers.:)
 

Chemy350

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I'm in New England...need the hard top my friend...if I lived where you are soft top is the way!
I had 3 Jeeps when I lived in Boston, all with soft tops. They hold up well over the winter and are pretty warm and quiet now.
 

Willcbooth

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hi, can you post a link for this
Sorry, no link, no plans. Just scribbled down some measurements on paper and went to cutting and welding away. Trial by error, but didn’t make too many mistakes. Been thinking of trying to sell them, but apparently Top Lift Pro’s can be assholes when it comes to any competition to them.
Next up will be a tailgate saver and fabing a mount for my current 37” (soon to be 40”) spare in the tub of the Jeep.
 

Jeep1967

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I have a Lange and used it since 2008. Works great and adapted to my 2019 JL. No problem
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