DIY Hardtop hoist ideas - brainstorming

[brow]

So I was just thinking about this ratchet thing some more - how do you lower it? My ratchets only ratchet one direction.

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[KillaRubi]

For top hoists. We used a hand crank winch, ran it up into the attic above the garage,across two pulleys on a 2x6, and back down to an H frame we built that lowers onto the top above where the jeep parks. . Run a tie down strap around the front of the top by the back doors, and 1 around the rear window hinges. this way it can get pulled up flat against the ceiling of the garage for secure storage. screwed in an eye bolt at each corner to run safety/back up straps in case the pulley fails. it cost under 100$ for everything and works great. Super easy with two people but can easily be done with one. top is lowered and back on in minutes.

Pic below is of my JK. JL is on order

 

[schneidvegas]

This is what I did on my JK. What I don't like about it is the difficult process of lowering. I have been to every store that sells ratchet straps looking for a set with a clutch or some "gentle" release mechanism. During the 6 month wait for my JL, this has been one of my projects.

Has anyone found a set of straps that make it difficult to drop the top?

Did you try the cam straps?

 

[Donkey]

This is my set up. Have about $100 invested. Started with a harbor freight atv winch we bought on sale. My biggest complaints is it needs to be powered with a 12volt source, i use a NOCO power booster for this and the winch I got is a little jumpy and runs in 1 to 2 second bursts.

The door hangers are ARC off-road I purchased on amazon.

 

[martyb511]

For those of you with Firecracker Red, or Rubicon's and like the Red accent color, or anyone in general waiting for the Topsy Hoist Brackets they are now available as of last night. They have the red prototypes available until they sell out. Here are the pics from their FB Page:

When they run out of the Red they'll order the brackets in black. Here is link for those who are interested: Click Here

 

[ChicagoShoop]

Red is out! Thats ok though, i have a black hard top so the black brackets will look fine. Or maybe even plastidip them or use enamel paint to get them red.

 

[martyb511]

Red is out! Thats ok though, i have a black hard top so the black brackets will look fine. Or maybe even plastidip them or use enamel paint to get them red.

Red Brackets are out or the Red Webbing is out? From what someone posted on FB they did say the Red Webbing was out but they were able to get the Black Webbing.

 

[ChicagoShoop]

Now that you say that, i did only see red webbing listed. I assumed that it meant red brackets as well. I ordered the black webbing. So im not sure what color bracket i have now!

 

[martyb511]

Now that you say that, i did only see red webbing listed. I assumed that it meant red brackets as well. I ordered the black webbing. So im not sure what color bracket i have now!

This is there response this morning from their FB page in regards to the Brackets (not webbing)...this is their first run of JL Brackets and all were done in Red. When the Red runs out they will probably make them in black.

 

[ChicagoShoop]

Oh perfect. So i did get red brakcets then. Thats what i was hoping for! Thanks!

 

[Skye]

It ain't pretty but it works. I live in an apartment so not looking to built anything extravagant until we buy another house.

As far as only ratcheting one way, I only lift it the minimum amount to drive away. Then back under it to reinstall and carefully hold the top and pop the ratchets to set it back on the jeep.

It's not ideal but I can install and remove the top but myself which is all I need.

 

[RussJeep1]

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.

Anything, but wobbly:

https://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-capacity-foldable-shop-crane-61858.html

https://www.ebay.com/itm/JLU-Wrangl...088516?hash=item36335edb44:g:WpMAAOSwKGpa77TR

Disclaimer: That's my rig in the ebay picture but I have utterly no financial associaton with either product mentioned here.

 

[Gregodav]

Here is a Harken block an pulley system. On Amazon you will find a variety of Jeep Harken Hoists for you top. Harken Hoists are primarily for sailboats. This was an easy install and mine worked really well.

Here is picture of the Harkin Hoist in use from an Amazon ad. I easy pull the heavier JK top by myself:

 

[Skye]

Here is a Harken block an pulley system. On Amazon you will find a variety of Jeep Harken Hoists for you top. Harken Hoists are primarily for sailboats. This was an easy install and mine worked really well.

Here is picture of the Harkin Hoist in use from an Amazon ad. I easy pull the heavier JK top by myself:

I had that hoist before we sold our house.
It worked great!

 

[JeepJets]

This is there response this morning from their FB page in regards to the Brackets (not webbing)...this is their first run of JL Brackets and all were done in Red. When the Red runs out they will probably make them in black.

I just ordered them in black. Super excited how easy these are especially when you have a mesh shade like the JTops one these hooks make it simple to take the top off and get around the mesh shade.

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