Hard Top Removal & Storage

[ToplessInVa]

I'm looking to store my hard top for my 2024 4 door Sahara in the rafters. Everything I'm reading says the Harken Hoister 4-Point Lift System is the way to go. I've watched a lot of videos on it, and it seems like it'll work well. Most of the video reviews I've seen there are 2 things that concern me. Number 1 is that my hard top is painted to match the body color, so I'm concerned that it didn't appear that anyone in the videos was using anything to protect the webbed strap from rubbing on the top. I was planning to just put some pool noodles or something on there but wanted to see if anyone else has done this. Number 2, everyone seems to store it with the glass hatch up. I would think this makes it more likely to get damaged. Anyone have any thoughts on these concerns? I clearly don't want to take the back glass off to store it and chance it gets damaged somewhere else but want to do the best I can with it. I, unfortunately, do not have the overhead space in my garage for this to work, nor do I have floor space for any of the other options I've seen, so I will actually be storing this at my parent's house which is three hours away. So, it's not easy to just mess around with it and see how it works. I'm trying to plan it out. I'm putting a soft top on for the warm months, and we'll just put this bad boy back on once a year and take it off once a year so it's not like I need it to be readily available anyways. Again, just trying to prepare for when I go there over a weekend so that I'm not sending my entire weekend visiting my parents trying to install this thing!

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[JKJ]

For the rear this company makes some choices.
https://topsyproducts.com/collections/jl-stuff
I went with the Lange setup. You grab by the installed hooks allowing the window to remain shut. I had the sloped rear ceiling so keeping the window shut was important.

 

[Tncdrew]

+1 for the Lange Hoist-a-Top & Topsy rear hooks!. I let electricity do the heavy lifting

 

[Rotsam]

I use Lange and keep my window closed. I’ve heard no complaints on Harken, so likely just personal preference.

As for the install - if the rafters are exposed and you have an impact driver for the lag bolts, I think you could get it done pretty quickly. You could do a lot of pre-work, so you’re taking a ready to mount setup.

 

[Andy@AAV]

If you have manufactured I-beam rafters they advise not to drill anything into them as it compromises the structural integrity of the I-beam. I bought the hoist-a-top then found that I couldn't use it. If I remember correctly normal rafters are 16" center-to-center while I-beams are 22".

 

[ToplessInVa]

+1 for the Lange Hoist-a-Top & Topsy rear hooks!. I let electricity do the heavy lifting

That looks like an expensive setup!

 

[Tncdrew]

That looks like an expensive setup!

Not really too bad...
Just the cost of the Hoist-a-Top, some unistrut, hardware, and a couple extra pulleys (I wanted to cut the raise/lower speed in half).

 

[Grayhound]

I store mine with the glass down as well. Agree on the topsy hooks. I also use their strap.

I'd attach pics but the site isn't playing along

 

[ToplessInVa]

I store mine with the glass down as well. Agree on the topsy hooks. I also use their strap.

I'd attach pics but the site isn't playing along

Are these the Topsy Hooks?

 

[Grayhound]

Are these the Topsy Hooks?

Yes exactly!

 

[CRZYCDN]

I reinforced my own i beam perpendicular to the ceiling joists then used threaded rod to sandwich that together with another 2x6 so this really helped spread out the load.
I used the HARKEN rope hoist and it's straps for the initial lift then, I put 2 2x4s across/under the hardtop and use ratchet straps for final storage position/holding all the weight. This now also make a great storage place for the 2 front panels.
Then in the winter those 2 2x4s turn into dry storage for outdoor furniture cushions and such!
Here's a couple different pics.

 

[ToplessInVa]

I think I’ve settled on the Lange Crank Hoist-A-Top. Looks like it should do everything I need and be nice and secure when it’s being stored over my parents Mustang!

 

[ForgottenTaco]

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