DIY Hardtop hoist ideas - brainstorming

[RockinMarine]

Anyone build a hoist to take off a roof with rhino rack backbone system and pioneer platform??

I installed a Racor lift for my hardtop. I used Topsy products attachments and gear drive reinforcements. I had to add shackles to extend the straps to make up the distance for the Pioneer rack.
Added reinforcements to the roof to hold the extra weight.
Works like a champ.

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[NewTXJL]

I installed a Racor lift for my hardtop. I used Topsy products attachments and gear drive reinforcements. I had to add shackles to extend the straps to make up the distance for the Pioneer rack.
Added reinforcements to the roof to hold the extra weight.
Works like a champ.

Racor was my first choice, but I have a low ceiling. Just got the Harken so wondering how to setup or return. Any chance you can post some pictures of setup??

 

[18BlackJLRU]

Here’s my setup

 

[flharleycop]

I was thinking of getting two short lifting straps and crossing them under the top, then putting them together around the top and lifting with a single winch point to the garage roof. I don’t have any drawings but sort of like when you put on a tree protector when winching. Seems like that would be plenty strong and very easy to do. I am not sure of the downside of not having a frame around the top as most show here.
Any thoughts?

 

[Jammer]

I was thinking of getting two short lifting straps and crossing them under the top, then putting them together around the top and lifting with a single winch point to the garage roof. I don’t have any drawings but sort of like when you put on a tree protector when winching. Seems like that would be plenty strong and very easy to do. I am not sure of the downside of not having a frame around the top as most show here.
Any thoughts?

You need to look at and buy an install the topsy hooks they go on the hinges on the top and then you just hook the hooks that have a ring on their check out their website you'll have to see it's worth 60 bucks to get them and it also comes with a strap and several hooks. This is what you need it's almost a must for the set up your running everyone that uses the hooks into ceiling has these it's so much easier look how they hooked up and you'll see what I'm talking about they stay on there you never have to take them off and they're always available to hook onto

 

[flharleycop]

You need to look at and buy an install the topsy hooks they go on the hinges on the top and then you just hook the hooks that have a ring on their check out their website you'll have to see it's worth 60 bucks to get them and it also comes with a strap and several hooks. This is what you need it's almost a must for the set up your running everyone that uses the hooks into ceiling has these it's so much easier look how they hooked up and you'll see what I'm talking about they stay on there you never have to take them off and they're always available to hook onto

Thanks for the information that looks like a plan.

 

[Markarr]

When I got my JLUR last month, in the midst of the lockdown (my previous GC was hit & totaled), I didn’t have enough money/patience to wait to find the right hoist and install it

I went to Home Depot and bought 4 more bike hooks, which we currently use to hang our bikes from the garage ceiling, and screwed them into the ceiling joists. I had a hinge hoist kit from Topsy Products waiting, and bought 4 XL nylon dog collars to precisely bridge the gap between the bike hooks & hoist brackets/strap!

Joists run from drivers side to passenger side of garage so one joist supports both bikes, another supports the rear of the roof, and another supports the front.

I adjusted the collars so that I only had to manually lift each corner only about an inch or so up onto the hooks, which has been quick and easy to do without needing a 2nd person, and all-in it cost $85 and about an hour or so of set-up time. It works great for now but we’re moving in a few months and I’ll definitely be installing at least a pulley hoist at the new place!

 

[Jludiesel334]

Posted about mine in another thread. This one seems more appropriate. All in all, I’ve got about $175-$200 tied into it, but it works amazing and the winch is wireless. It’s powered by an atv battery and flush mounted in the joist so I keep my storage area above. The lifting frame was built from galvanized perforated steel from Home Depot and the Topsy product is where the magic happens. I am debating on building a cradle for the top or a safety sling for the frame.

 

[flharleycop]

Posted about mine in another thread. This one seems more appropriate. All in all, I’ve got about $175-$200 tied into it, but it works amazing and the winch is wireless. It’s powered by an atv battery and flush mounted in the joist so I keep my storage area above. The lifting frame was built from galvanized perforated steel from Home Depot and the Topsy product is where the magic happens. I am debating on building a cradle for the top or a safety sling for the frame.

Do you leave it suspended the whole time or store it somewhere else?

 

[chilly_one]

Thanks for the information that looks like a plan.

I used Topsy hooks, a piece of galvanized pipe, and a lifting strap for the front. It keeps you from having to worry about the rear window and it's been very stable for holding the top, with little motion from it while it is suspended.

 

[Jludiesel334]

Do you leave it suspended the whole time or store it somewhere else?

I leave it suspended. I’m looking into adding a secondary retention of some sort.

 

[Ohio Hiker]

I initially had used a worm-gear winch and just winched it up close to the garage ceiling. I just didn't like the thought of it hanging up there. My crazy mind would think about "what ifs". What if an eye bolt is screwed in to the edge of the rafter and it gives way, what if the strap stitching tears, etc.
I ended up making a rack (2x4s & plywood) and lagged to the walls with support 2x4s lagged to the rafters. On the ceiling I put up a 10' Unistrut (12 guage metal) and a 4 wheel unistrut trolley (600# capacity) holding a 4 wheel block and tackle pulley (7:1 lift). I can roll the trolley out over the Jeep, hook up the top, lift it and roll it back to the rack and sit it down without it being suspended. This setup also makes it easier for me to adjust when I'm putting the top back on the Jeep.

 

[Marc3]

I am a stubborn DIYer. I have never seen, used or otherwise interacted with the Racor lift. Buy it! I just completed my planned $200 5 or 6 hour DIY build ..... $300+ and 6 days later (and half dozen trips to Lowes). Now is mine sturdier, motorized and a bag of chips. Yep. Worth the effort? Nope! Topsy brackets are perfect and stupid simple.

In short I used some cheap galvanized fence pipe to make the frame and bought the small motorized lift (with 20% off coupon) at harbor freight. Where the expense came in was all the pulleys, nuts, bolts, angle iron, etc I had to by to rig it all up. I have pride and a motorized lift. I also lost 6 nights, am out probably 100 to 150 more than if I just bought the Racor, dropped about 3 pounds of sweat and a load of choice words. I also got to put my soft top on tonight

Wow! That's a pretty nice lift. New Rubi -1st time Jeep owner for 2 weeks now. I was going to follow your advice but having a darn tough time finding a Rancor lift. AMZ is OOS and they are sole source unless you want to spend $500+ w price gougers. I will DIY but I want your build! Or something similar. Would you mind sharing one more pic that shows me the cable /pulley routing? It seems like a perfect match for what I'd like to put up. Thought of the fence supplies but never researched the parts. If by chance, you had a parts list or maybe on close-up of the platform, I'd appreciate it. Thanks! Marc

 

[Rufio]

No need to over-engineer this...buy some nylon straps from the depot and you're all set. I have this exact setup, works great.

https://www.amazon.com/Racor-PHL-1R...F8&qid=1521737616&sr=8-1&keywords=racor+hoist

How many have used this Raco set up? I'm considering it and would love to know your experiences.

 

[desert runner]

How many have used this Raco set up? I'm considering it and would love to know your experiences.

I use it since several years, happy with it.

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