FJ40 Hardtop removal/ storage

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SwissEd

SwissEd

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Feb 13, 2008
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67
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141
Hi Guys,
Any suggestions on devices to suspend hardtop from garage roof and how best to store hardtop. Is there a pulley system for sale to make the job or removing and storing easier? How long does it take to remove hardtop if you are unaccustomed to doing it. I ordered new kit for seals from CCOT to replace after summer. Thanks
 
SwissEd said:
Hi Guys,
Any suggestions on devices to suspend hardtop from garage roof and how best to store hardtop. Is there a pulley system for sale to make the job or removing and storing easier? How long does it take to remove hardtop if you are unaccustomed to doing it. I ordered new kit for seals from CCOT to replace after summer. Thanks
Click to expand...
Not that difficult of a job. Soak the bolts with some "PB blaster penetrating catalyst" before starting. Storing---:hhmm:---most folks have rigged some "homemade thing from what I've seen. Try a search above in this site if no one throws anything at you
soon.
exploded view of top components :cheers:
Specter Off-Road-Land Cruiser Parts - Page 108-Hardtop & Side Panels - 40 Series
 
pulley system

I was using one an old jeep I had, you can find them by searching the jeep suppliers. The jeep tops are not as heavy as the FJ40 and mine started to come apart after some extended use. You might look at there system and make a stronger version. The fj40 tops are heavy and hard to handle especially if you have any lift. I like to have three people help me when I take mine off.
 
You can get the to off with one person helping you. Un-do all the bolts and just lift the fiberglass top off and stash it wherever you like. Once the top is off, the rest is a one man job. I've wrestled the top off by myself a couple of times, you gotta get it balanced just right so you don't drop it and dork it up real good.

Got my top leaning against the wall behind my roll away tool box and the side panels fit perfectly under my work bench. :meh: Workie for me
 
I haven't taken my hardtop off for years (make that decades) but all I used to do was set up a shallow ramp from the back of the vehicle to walk down, separate the top from the tub and windshield, put my shoulders under it at the balance point, pick it up and walk it off the truck. I never had any problem putting it on and off by myself, but now I think I would spend some time in the gym first.

Storing it is another story...
 
Take it all apart and hide it somewhere. The fiberglass top can be placed against a wall in the garage and secured. I put the rest in the basement. I get to check for any corrosion and the :princess: is not worried about the top falling on the kids.
 
Storage from the rafters

I just took mine off yesterday. I just unbolted everythig ,tied a rope up to the rafter above the front and rear ends of the hardtop and hoisted it up one side at a time. You can use a couple of 6 foot ladders to support each end while you snug up to the right height. I did this without any help, so it's doable. I just hope the roof trusses can handle the extra weight.
Landcruiser Top Removed 005.webp
Landcruiser Top Removed 003.webp
Landcruiser Top Removed 001.webp
 
Hard-Top Weight?

Hey all, newbie here.
After years of wanting finally got a '76 FJ40 and with it starting to get warm I am gearing up to take the top off. Love the hanging options posted here. Any idea how much the hard-top weights? My garage is OLD and the rafters may not be strong enough. Thanks!
 
If you are concerned about the rafters holding the weight, just cut to length a couple of vertical supports to brace up the rafters that are holding the wieght. 2x4 should be good. 4x4 better.
 
That top is not as heavy as you think. I made a support frame to hold up the top and then installed a hoist in the garage ceiling. It all works pretty well. I have some pics posted on here. I followed someone elses post and it worked well. Good luck.
 
Yup, I have seen that post too now. I will definitely be going with the hoist idea, and can hopefully frame up my rafters to provide a little extra strength.
Good call on the vertical supports if necessary Mello. I was hoping to avoid that since my garage is tight anyway but I could make it work if I had to. Thanks fellas.
 
My wife and I took ours off. I took the doors off at the top but like what jerxFJ40 did and may put the hinges back on. The hard part was lifting it around/over the spare tire. She is not that tall.

I'm going to hang mine by getting a 2x6 and drillig holes for the two pipes in the front and then hoisting it and the rear hinges.
 
me and the wife take it off in one piece , aside from the rear door that is . however we are both 6' tall . i just store it on the ground .
 
Once you have it off cut the two B pillar pipes down to about half their length. They still do the job but it makes life a lot easier if they are a tad shorter.

IMHO you need at a min three people to do the job. I've done it solo back when I was younger (I'm not 40 anymore) but it was a struggle. Basically you build a couple of steps behind the truck then carry the top off turtle style.

One person on the back and one on each side is a lot easier. Removing the spare also helps.

I stored mine in the side yard covered with a tarp. Come fall I'd chase the spiders and other critters out before I put it back on.


Life is a lot easier since I got a soft top and sold the hard top.
 
I plan to leave mine on for now on. I had it off for about 3 weeks and it turned out to be a big mistake.
 
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