Hoist System for Hard Top

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J

josharre2000

10 Year 15 Year 20 Year
Joined
Sep 29, 2003
Threads
117
Messages
785
Location
Bentonville, AR
After reviewing many different threads, designs, contraptions, etc. I saw a set up that was posted by fellow mudder PScottBx.

I was looking for a sytem that was simple to use, clean from an installation standpoint, and most importantly--safe. I am sure there are many ways to improve upon the design. However, it meets all of my criteria and it only takes 10 minutes to take the top off and put back on--- and I can do it all myself. Oh yeah and I also needed to make sure the :princess: was happy with the installation. Here is a list of items I bought:

--440# double line pull winch from Harbor Freight
--Uni-Strut from Home Depot (3) 10ft pcs
--(4) 16" pcs of chain-- This is used to secure the frame to the eyebolts which will need to be screwed into ceiling joists. This way the weight can be taken off of the winch.
--(4) caribiners
--(4) Wood eyebolts (screw these into the ceiling joints)
--(2) metal eyebolts (used as the connection point for the winch cable)
--Assorted hardware to assemble the frame
--Pipe Insulation (to cover frame so it does not scratch the top)
--Zip ties
--(4) bike hooks with the rubber already on them so they do not scratch the top
--4ft of 2.0" steel pipe
--couple of 2x6s so you can build a frame for the winch

I hope this helps. Sure has helped me enjoy the cruiser on these 70ish days. Please let me know if yo have any questions.

I hope this helps.
Sink 014.webp
top off lift.webp
lift1.webp
 
Good show!

Great parts list. Well thought out. Seems to make a difficult 2 man job a one man snap. I think anyone with a rack on the roof might also use that as a place for multiple attachments.

My problem is I am missing the 1 part essential to your diagram...

While I am in Canada I don't have a garage.

That being said, there is no doubt in my mind that I will build something like this on my return to USA. You have built an awesome rig.

The only thing I might do in addition is build in a failsafe, so if someone brushes the ropes or does something stupid the whole thing does not fall down. Seems like a couple of straps attached independently to the ceiling and run under the unit may be a way to prevent disaster.

Best,

T
 
josharre2000 said:
After reviewing many different threads, designs, contraptions, etc. I saw a set up that was posted by fellow mudder PScottBx.

I was looking for a sytem that was simple to use, clean from an installation standpoint, and most importantly--safe. I am sure there are many ways to improve upon the design. However, it meets all of my criteria and it only takes 10 minutes to take the top off and put back on--- and I can do it all myself. Oh yeah and I also needed to make sure the :princess: was happy with the installation. Here is a list of items I bought:

--440# double line pull winch from Harbor Freight
--Uni-Strut from Home Depot (3) 10ft pcs
--(4) 16" pcs of chain-- This is used to secure the frame to the eyebolts which will need to be screwed into ceiling joists. This way the weight can be taken off of the winch.
--(4) caribiners
--(4) Wood eyebolts (screw these into the ceiling joints)
--(2) metal eyebolts (used as the connection point for the winch cable)
--Assorted hardware to assemble the frame
--Pipe Insulation (to cover frame so it does not scratch the top)
--Zip ties
--(4) bike hooks with the rubber already on them so they do not scratch the top
--4ft of 2.0" steel pipe
--couple of 2x6s so you can build a frame for the winch

I hope this helps. Sure has helped me enjoy the cruiser on these 70ish days. Please let me know if yo have any questions.

I hope this helps.
Click to expand...


Very nice job josharre2000!

I would love to see a pic of "the frame" which I assume is the part that attaches to the top for winching and holding once it is lifted to the eye bolts. I may copy your setup as it looks clean and fuctional.

Thanks for posting up.
 
TOBASH said:
Good show!


The only thing I might do in addition is build in a failsafe, so if someone brushes the ropes or does something stupid the whole thing does not fall down. Seems like a couple of straps attached independently to the ceiling and run under the unit may be a way to prevent disaster.

Best,

T
Click to expand...

On thing i am going to do now that I have the center of gravity and all attachent points identified is weld the hooks to the frame.

The top while in storage, is connected by (5) independent points: The winch, and each corner is secured by chain to big *ss eye bolts which have been screwed into the ceiling joists. There are not any ropes or anything which can be messed with from the floor. I even keep the winch power off and the remote stowed on top of the hard top while it is up.

I am also going to attach some webbing (straps) to the ceiling eye hooks (front and rear) so if something happens to the winch, cable, etc. the webbing will keep the top from falling on the truck or me. Is this what you were talking about TOBASH?

Thanks,

josh
 
Hobbs said:
Very nice job josharre2000!

I would love to see a pic of "the frame" which I assume is the part that attaches to the top for winching and holding once it is lifted to the eye bolts. I may copy your setup as it looks clean and fuctional.

Thanks for posting up.
Click to expand...

I will snap some pics of the frame and post them up for you guys.
 
I had something close to this once for my j**p....I used a come-along instead of the power winch. Very cool though! More pics!!! :)

T
 
Very cool, and thanks for the documentation. I rigged up something similar using the winch on my other truck and a snatch block - works really well even though there's some questionable engineering in my approach....
 
That's a great job!

...watch your head though, those "poles" might get you. Too bad they can't be removed. I wanted to do the same in my garage, but I have too many hoists other stuff already.

I like the one-piece top, however it is very inconvenient when removed.

Has anyone looked into storing it vertically?
 
What about a crank and cable system like the old Mercedes SL top system. My Dad uses one and has an extra one I am gonna "borrow". Pulley on a reinforced "H" mounted to ceiling stud with cable running to it, and a 4 point harness with gutter claws that hold the top. Pretty cheap too. Just crank it up and down by hand. It's one of the below:



http://www.removabletops.com/index.php?category=7
 
Nice!!!! How high is the ceiling in your garage.
 
Mine is not terribly high so it's going to be a squeeze. The problem is the garage door being 1.5' lower than the ceiling. Hopefully with the tires and lift and hardtop, I can get out! Dad's garage is like 15-17' high. mine is 9-10'.
 
AndyM said:
Trying to revive this thread....
Josh, did you get a chance to snap some pics, I would still like to see that frame.
Thanks.
Click to expand...


I have not taken the additonal pictures yet. I will try to get around to it this weekend.

My ceiling is 10ft. and yes-- you do have to be very careful with the Hardtop posts that hand down. When I remove the top this spring, I will take some pipe insulation wrap around them.

Please stay tuned.....
 
oh by the way...

I forgot to put this in my post, but....

NICE CRUISER!

:cool:
 
apbb2 said:
Would this one work?

Saves mechanical idiots like me the hassle of assembling your much better system. :bang:
Click to expand...

Hang in there and let me take some pictures. I will also get some of the key measurements, Center of Gravity, Etc. Once I had all of my measurements, assembly only took about 30 minutes. I think all in I have about $125 in the hoist.
 
Ok Fellas. Heres some additional detail. Please let me know if you have any other questions.....

--440# double line pull winch from Harbor Freight
--Uni-Strut from Home Depot (3) 10ft pcs (please see strut size below)
****Main Beam which will run from front to back of top is 74" (this strut is 1.5"x1.5")
****Cross Members are 68" each. These will need to be mounted UNDER the main beam (thi strut is 1.5"x.75")
****All of the strut was assembled with 3/8" hardware.
****You can pick up the 1.50" square washers from lowes located where the unistrut is.

--(4) 16" pcs of chain-- This is used to secure the frame to the eyebolts which will need to be screwed into ceiling joists. This way the weight can be taken off of the winch.
--(4) caribiners
--(4) Wood eyebolts (screw these into the ceiling joints)
--(2) metal eyebolts (used as the connection point for the winch cable)
--Assorted hardware to assemble the frame
--Pipe Insulation (to cover frame so it does not scratch the top)
--Zip ties
--(4) bike hooks with the rubber already on them so they do not scratch the top
****This year, I am going to Mig Weld these hooks to the frame, just as a safety measure. However, the chances of them coming loose with the weight of the top on them is very slim.
--4ft of 2.0" steel pipe
--couple of 2x6s so you can build a frame for the winch
****Build a box large enough to go around the hoist and extend the side 2X6s so you can span a 2-3 of your floor/celiling joists for good weight distrubution

****In the pictures below you are looking at a side view of the hoist frame, Front hook attached to the front cros member, and the last picture is the rear hook, attached to the rear cross member.
****Once you have all of this built you will need to get a couple of buddie and manually remove the roof. DO NOT TRY TO REMOVE THE ROOF WITH THE HOIST BEFORE YOU FIND THE CENTER OF GRAVITY....
After you have the roof off, position it under the assembled frame. Lower the frame and attach the hooks to the rear. The rear hooks should be positioned as far apart as you can get them. For the front hooks, a good starting postion is about halfway between the top door jamb. Once you get everything lined up, start raising the hoist with the frame attached to the top. Move your center point forward or backward to find your center of gravity. Now you are ready to lift the top all the way up. Once the top is as hogh as you can go, attach the links of chain to the eye hooks (which should be already securely screwed into the ceiling joists). Once you have all of the chains attached, you can release some of the tension off of the hoist. Thats pretty much it. Please let me know if you have any furtther questions.
hoist safty (2).webp
front hook.webp
rear hook.webp
 
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