Homemade hardtop hoist.

[Jtphoto]

For the last 15 years I have just removed or replaced my hardtop spring and fall manually with the help
Of one of my sons. But I hate to bother them as life gets busier. So I was considering just purchasing a hardtop hoist. Problem I ran into was I have 12’ ceilings and I don’t intend on leaving the top suspended. I also have all kinds of bits and pieces all over the shop so I decided to build my own.
Estimated total cost (as mentioned I had most of the stuff) to buy the stuff including the Amazon hoist was about $300cdn. The power hoist was $199.
- 4 2” pulleys
- 3/8 rope
- 8 snaps
- 4 padded wall hanger hooks
- 4 eye bolts.

I’ll post pics shortly of the Home Depot wall hooks that work perfectly for the hardtop.

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[rcadden]

If you don't want to leave the weight sitting on the power hoist, you can put chains on each hook.

So, hook it up to your hoist, lift it up, and then attach the chains and you can take the weight off the hoist.

Additionally, you don't really need to lift it all the way to the ceiling - if you back in to remove the top, then you can pull into the garage and the top will be hoisted above your hood.

 

[Jtphoto]

If you don't want to leave the weight sitting on the power hoist, you can put chains on each hook.

So, hook it up to your hoist, lift it up, and then attach the chains and you can take the weight off the hoist.

Additionally, you don't really need to lift it all the way to the ceiling - if you back in to remove the top, then you can pull into the garage and the top will be hoisted above your hood.

Thanks. Good idea.
I have a cart that I put the hardtop down on, push into the corner and cover. Which was another limitation to some hoists. Lots of them don’t have that capability of lower to floor level from a 12’ ceiling without replacing all the ropes.

 

[rcadden]

Thanks. Good idea.
I have a cart that I put the hardtop down on, push into the corner and cover. Which was another limitation to some hoists. Lots of them don’t have that capability of lower to floor level from a 12’ ceiling without replacing all the ropes.

True. Benefits of building your own out of parts. My setup in the new house is a bit more convoluted sophisticated than the photo above, but it's custom measured. I even did the chains as short as possible to hold it as close to the ceiling as I could get it.

 

[Jtphoto]

True. Benefits of building your own out of parts. My setup in the new house is a bit more convoluted sophisticated than the photo above, but it's custom measured. I even did the chains as short as possible to hold it as close to the ceiling as I could get it.

That’s a great space saver for sure. My shop is pretty good size so space isn’t an issue

 

[Jtphoto]

Here are the hooks I used to hold the hardtop.
Home Depot Tornado hooks.
For the rear : I had to bend the tab a bit and added some felt tabs to prevent scuffs.

For the front side this style worked better and did not require felt pads.

 

[rcadden]

Those hooks are nice!

For my new setup, I have the Topsy brackets ( Topsy Products Hinge Hoist Bracket Jeep JL ) primarily so that I can store it with the glass closed instead of opened. This also let me get it closer to the ceiling

On the front/mids, I just use steel S-hooks with a microfiber cloth folded over a few times, lol.

 

[Darugs]

This is my set-up. Took picture today as I get my Jeep ready for a little fun at Jeep Beach 2024 (Daytona Beach).

I love my door storage bags. Always worried about scratching the doors when I remove them. I put the bags on the doors prior to removing them. Lift is an Amazon product. With a power wrench to remove the screws quickly, I can have the roof off in 5 minutes. I store it up with the rope tied to a dock cleat mounted to the wall.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

Topsy brackets work well in the back and allow you to keep the rear glass closed

 

[Jtphoto]

And done. The electric hoist worked perfectly for this application.. I like those rear hinge clamps posted but since my top doesn’t stay suspended they aren’t required.
it’s been awhile since I put the softtop on so it took a bit of thinking to remember what bolts went where. Lol.
Good now for all the summer shenanigans.

 

[Dusty Dude]

I just finished partially building a setup from scrap parts. The straps will eventually be replaced with rope and a block and tackle setup. Instead of hooks, I used some 2x4’s wrapped up with sections of a worn out moving blanket.

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