DIY Hardtop hoist ideas - brainstorming

[yeoman18]

ordered this yesterday, love how simple and clean it is... a smarter guy than i could probably build it from scratch but at 149.00 i appreciated the effort they put into and was happy to just buy it...

https://www.quadratec.com/p/lange-originals/hoist-top-simple-jeep-cj-wrangler

Do you know if the "hook" that attaches to the back of the top will work with the new "Spoiler" above the rear window?

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[6dors]

I'm looking to build a hardtop hoist and trying to come up with some ideas. Concerns:

1. I could bolt into the rafters, but that could jeopardize the structure of the trusses if I don't get the exact centers, even when using 2x4s cross-ways to distribute the weight - I could mess up several cross beams that way too. I've heard of a few disasters online (not necessarily Jeep hard top specific). It would be a major project getting up into the attic (I have a very low attic, crawl only).

2. I've seen the stand on wheels that they make, but it looks kind of wobbly.

3. I watched several YouTube videos of DIY hardtop hoists and the kind you buy and it looks like the straps, hooks, etc. are creasing the edges and in some cases chipping or marking up the paint. That can't be good.

Brainstorming ideas:

A. How about a lesser expensive engine lift (or used), modify it with a flat tray on the top, attach several thick mover's blankets or thick padding of some kind, then jack it up so only the mover's blankets / padding touches the underside? That way it won't crush the edges. Just need to make the flat tray wide enough so it isn't tipsy.

B. Four pulleys, but instead of straps crushing the edges, put two metal bars front to back but with a tray in he middle with thick padding so it only touches the underside?

C. Other ideas? I've been searching Google, YouTube, Google Images, etc. but there has to be a better mouse trap.

Thanks.

I screwed in 4 eye bolts into the rafters and purchased 4 ratchet straps. The whole set up was under $30 and it has been holding up a 4 door hard top every summer for the past 6 years. I have not had any problems.

 

[chevymitchell]

I screwed in 4 eye bolts into the rafters and purchased 4 ratchet straps. The whole set up was under $30 and it has been holding up a 4 door hard top every summer for the past 6 years. I have not had any problems.

Here is what I did, man. Worked awesome for 3 years until I sold the JK.

ATV winch, DIY Cables with eyes, and some pulley's. Winch controller runs off a 12 volt battery, which I just used my jump box. I mounted it at the exact distance from the garage door to park the JK under it and it takes up no more room than if I just parked the JK in the garage with the top on. Then If I need it out of the way, I could lower the winch onto my cart and wheel it around. Total to do this was under $110 bucks. No issues with rafters and bolts pulling through. Nothing like that.

It also served many other purposes! It held as much as 400 pounds with zero problems. Included a few pics of working on bikes for reference.

 

[JEEPJL]

Did anyone get the actual weight of the 4 door hardtop ???

 

[Rubi-Zero]

I screwed in 4 eye bolts into the rafters and purchased 4 ratchet straps. The whole set up was under $30 and it has been holding up a 4 door hard top every summer for the past 6 years. I have not had any problems.

I did the same on the JK and never had a problem, if I had the hard top this go around, I’d do it exactly the same again. To many over think this removing the hardtop & hoist thing. This is a cheap and a great solution that works, hardly gets any easier than this. Best bang for your buck.

 

[JEEPJL]

I did the same on the JK and never had a problem, if I had the hard top this go around, I’d do it exactly the same again. To many over think this removing the hardtop & hoist thing. This is a cheap and a great solution that works, hardly gets any easier than this. Best bang for your buck.

What is the actual weight of these hard tops on a 4 door ...anyone come up with that yet ??

 

[jeremyjeep]

Did anyone get the actual weight of the 4 door hardtop ???

No...

1. I called 2 dealers, asked sales, service and parts, they don't know.

2. I looked at https://www.quadratec.com/p/mopar/hardtop-jeep-wrangler-jl-4-door, no weight is given in the description, specs, etc. I called their 800 number, they don't know either. They said it is in pre-order status and when they do get the weight, it will include the wooden box it is shipped in, so that wouldn't be the right weight.

3. I used the contact us / chat system at www.jeep.com earlier today. They first told me that the weight for the 4 door hardtop is at http://media.fcanorthamerica.com/newsrelease.do?id=18666&mid=52 and to click on Specifications in the right hand column.... Aaaaannnnkkkk. Wrong. It isn't there either. They sent me on a wild goose chase. So they are now escalating the question and "will get back with you in 3 to 5 business days". I'll post the info here if I get it. But there is a lot of other great detailed info at the link above, just not the weight of the hardtop.

4. Check out (0:39 second video) where a guy is weighing the JK hardtop. 140lbs with a roof rack and without the freedom panels, 180lbs with the freedom panels. He said without the roof rack, the JK hardtop is 130lbs. Supposedly the JL hardtop roof is a little bit lighter, but I want to confirm that (see #3 above).

Good news... I went to the dealership this morning and took measurements for the 4 door hard top and posted it here: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/jl-hardtop-measurements.5705/

If this was Monday night football, this would be a "Common Man!" moment. Can't believe the weight for the JL hardtop is so illusive.

 

[JEEPJL]

No...

1. I called 2 dealers, asked sales, service and parts, they don't know.

2. I looked at https://www.quadratec.com/p/mopar/hardtop-jeep-wrangler-jl-4-door, no weight is given in the description, specs, etc. I called their 800 number, they don't know either. They said it is in pre-order status and when they do get the weight, it will include the wooden box it is shipped in, so that wouldn't be the right weight.

3. I used the contact us / chat system at www.jeep.com earlier today. They first told me that the weight for the 4 door hardtop is at http://media.fcanorthamerica.com/newsrelease.do?id=18666&mid=52 and to click on Specifications in the right hand column.... Aaaaannnnkkkk. Wrong. It isn't there either. They sent me on a wild goose chase. So they are now escalating the question and "will get back with you in 3 to 5 business days". I'll post the info here if I get it. But there is a lot of other great detailed info at the link above, just not the weight of the hardtop.

4. Check out (0:39 second video) where a guy is weighing the JK hardtop. 140lbs with a roof rack and without the freedom panels, 180lbs with the freedom panels. He said without the roof rack, the JK hardtop is 130lbs. Supposedly the JL hardtop roof is a little bit lighter, but I want to confirm that (see #3 above).

Good news... I went to the dealership this morning and took measurements for the 4 door hard top and posted it here: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/jl-hardtop-measurements.5705/

If this was Monday night football, this would be a "Common Man!" moment. Can't believe the weight for the JL hardtop is so illusive.

WOW - You really dug into it !!!!!!!!!!!

This is a huge help for me and I hope others

I was told a few months back 150lbs but wasnt crazy about the source

Thanks !!

 

[jeremyjeep]

How about build a simple table from 2x4s, plywood and angle brackets from the hardware store where you can slide the hardtop onto? The table would need to be slightly higher than the hood so you when you pull your Wrangler in to park again, it would be 3 or 4 inches under the table height, but this would mean you would need to slightly lift the hardtop onto the table height. And the table would need to be wider than the width of the wrangler which is 75" wide. So maybe 90" wide so you don't have to thread a needle to park. And a slight inward curve for the spare tire to fit in. Here's how it would work... back into the garage, line up with the table. Maybe mark the wall with tape aligned with the backup camera marks so you can easily repeat. Slide the hardtop on the table. Then when you return to the garage, park forward and slightly under the table. Seems too simple... anything wrong with this idea?

 

[JEEPJL]

How about build a simple table from 2x4s, plywood and angle brackets from the hardware store where you can slide the hardtop onto? The table would need to be slightly higher than the hood so you when you pull your Wrangler in to park again, it would be 3 or 4 inches under the table height, but this would mean you would need to slightly lift the hardtop onto the table height. And the table would need to be wider than the width of the wrangler which is 75" wide. So maybe 90" wide so you don't have to thread a needle to park. And a slight inward curve for the spare tire to fit in. Here's how it would work... back into the garage, line up with the table. Maybe mark the wall with tape aligned with the backup camera marks so you can easily repeat. Slide the hardtop on the table. Then when you return to the garage, park forward and slightly under the table. Seems too simple... anything wrong with this idea?

As long as your garage or shop has the room for it and it still seems like a 2 man operation to pull it off with out walking back and forth -side to side

 

[JEEPJL]

I have researched this over and over and posted this idea in another thread . Basically because Im seeing these home made and store bought hoist dealing with way to many steps ( rubber coated hooks / ratchet straps / through bolts with wing nuts / tie downs - etc )

So this is what Im going to do ! it will involve 2 pulley's / 1/2" nylon rope and either an electric winch or hand crank . You just back in - flip up the cleats - hook your tether to each cleat - crank it up and drive out

The cleats are 1/2" high when closed and I can powder coat so they match the top . I stopped by ( cap world ) in my area and they will work up a decorative cap to fit over nuts & washers on the inside .

Same load capacity as my Thule truck rack and same method to install

 

[jeremyjeep]

As long as your garage or shop has the room for it and it still seems like a 2 man operation to pull it off with out walking back and forth -side to side

It wouldn't take up any extra room (front to back of the garage) if the table height is just above the hood so you can pull in under the table. Left to right could be an issue though. Why would it still be a 2 man operation? Couldn't you just lift it up off the pegs and slightly forward by getting into the back of the Wrangler? Then slightly drag one side forward, then the other, then repeat until enough is on the table?

 

[jeremyjeep]

What about putting straps around a roof rack https://www.quadratec.com/p/mopar/removable-roof-rack-kit-jeep-wrangler-jl and raise it up with either an electric or manual hoist? Would the roof rack connection be strong enough to hold the weight of the hard top?

 

[JEEPJL]

It wouldn't take up any extra room (front to back of the garage) if the table height is just above the hood so you can pull in under the table. Left to right could be an issue though. Why would it still be a 2 man operation? Couldn't you just lift it up off the pegs and slightly forward by getting into the back of the Wrangler? Then slightly drag one side forward, then the other, then repeat until enough is on the table?

didnt think about getting inside and lifting top off to rack ...I guess that would work !

 

[jeremyjeep]

didnt think about getting inside and lifting top off to rack ...I guess that would work !

Seems overly simple, thus wondering what the catch is. lol Check out this table, the only problem is that you can't pull the Wrangler under it when parking if in the garage. Would need to build it about 3 inches higher. - http://my.project-jk.com/showphoto.php/photo/11045

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