Hoist System for Hard Top

[FARMAN33]

I have heard of these but never seen one. I have seen the "eye bolt" through the hardtop solution" NO THANKS. If you could please post a pic if you have one. I tried the search but you can imagine the multitudes of posts with HARD or TOP.

Also any cool clamp ideas for quick removal and attachment of said hardtop would be appreciated.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Click on this link and go to the "shell storage" section.

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/4R_TechInfo.shtml#Shell

It's a gen 1 4Runner but it's the same problem. I think the ultimate solution is to have a roof rack on your roof and to then lift by the roof rack.

 

[corsair23]

Try doing a google search as well for hard top hoist. I know there are some threads on MUD that I've seen (sorry that I didn't bookmark them now ) but most of what I came across was from a google search and not necessarily Cruiser related per se but applicable.

I'm in the process of building mine (very slowly). You can build a hoist system from the overly simple to very complex.

I've seen folks use their winch with snatch blocks attached to trees to pull the top off...I've seen folks use a pully system with a manual winch...And I've seen folks use an electric winch system.

Only link I could find that I bookmarked was this one: Harken Hoist


My approach has been this.

Purchase an electric winch from the likes of Harbor Freight (got mine off Flee Bay) --> like this one

Figure out a way to mount the winch - for me I chose to make a "box" out of 2x6 wood that the winch will sit in/attach to. This box will be attached to the rafters in my garage ceiling and spans the width of a one car garage to spread the load out.

From there, decide how to connect the winch to the hard top. I've seen folks use wood bracing, unistrut, and other items. I might go the unstrut way (found that on a google search) that allows the winch to hook to the unistrut (T shaped) and then the unistrut would be attached to the hard top with straps or hooks.


At this point in time I have acquired the hoist and built the "box" frame and installed that in the rafters. I still need to get a piece of square metal to hold/attach the hoist to the box and then determine how to attach the hoist to the hard top. At the rate I'm going it might be 2010 before I'm done

 

[breckbone]

Someone posted this a while ago and I bookmarked it just in case I ever have a good place to store my 40's lid.

http://tymp.tripod.com/FJ40top.html

 

[slickrock]

one 2x4 with an eye bolt on each end. Put this under the rear of the top and drill some holes through the hard top holes to secure it to the 2x4. Use ratchet straps attached to the ceiling (stud) with more screw eye bolts.

For the front, run smaller eye bolts through the holes in the little "L" brackets that attach to the windsheild and ratchet straps attached to 2 more screw eye bolts in the ceiling.

Ratchet equally and it lifts right off . . . my 3 year old son helped me do it so it has to be easy.

 

[FARMAN33]

Thanks for the help y'all. I think slickrock's idea is close to what I have in mind. I might fab me up a hoist carriage out of some square tube i have laying around. Thanks again.

 

[Shipwreck]

You can make it even cheaper and easier to use with just some rope and four pulleys.

You'll need:
About 75' of rope
four double pulleys.
2 carabiners or D shackles.


Cut 3 sections of rope about 8' long with loops tied on the ends.
Rig up your pulleys in a double configuration to make it easier to lift by yourself. One set of pulleys near the front of the hardtop, another set towards the rear.
Now run one of your ropes through the drivers door and out the back door. Connect the ends together with th carabiner. Do the same for the passenger side. Loop the third rope under the front just above the sunvisors. Now clip the carabiners to the pulleys that you just rigged up.
Now lift.

I have been using this system for about ten years and it works great. It only costs about $30 for materials and can be easily moved to a new house or garage if you ever move.

 

[Bluzer]

After reading many methods on this site, I went with something similar to Shipwreck's suggestion. One difference is that I used a boat trailer wench attached to my wall to raise it up. My son helped me and he will not be here when I need to put it back on. Good luck!

 

[badass]

You can make it even cheaper and easier to use with just some rope and four pulleys.

You'll need:
About 75' of rope
four double pulleys.
2 carabiners or D shackles.


Cut 3 sections of rope about 8' long with loops tied on the ends.
Rig up your pulleys in a double configuration to make it easier to lift by yourself. One set of pulleys near the front of the hardtop, another set towards the rear.
Now run one of your ropes through the drivers door and out the back door. Connect the ends together with th carabiner. Do the same for the passenger side. Loop the third rope under the front just above the sunvisors. Now clip the carabiners to the pulleys that you just rigged up.
Now lift.

I have been using this system for about ten years and it works great. It only costs about $30 for materials and can be easily moved to a new house or garage if you ever move.

Shipwreck can you post some pics of your setup, seems interesting.

 

[PScottBx]

I'm sure there are better ways of doing things but this is what I did for my top:

1. Went to Home Depot and got 4 bicycle hooks
2. Rubber tubing at Home Depot and put it on the hooks w/ a little soapy water
3. Harbor Freight winch (240# double line ..I think)
4. Built the box you see below. Used the pipe there b/c of simplicity(one way the winch was meant to be mounted) and fixed it to the box firmly.
5. Cut a hole in the attic and placed a recesed lighting fixture so the would be happy.
6. Got an "H" welded out of aluminum..(use what you want...aluminum was light). Then put pipe insulation on the H as to not scratch the top.
7. Drilled holes for the hooks on the ends in order to hold the top.
8. Put the top on the ground w/ the H and a big a$$ "C" clamp to find the center of gravity.
9. Drilled hole in the CoG point to hoist the top.
10. Drilled holes in the joices and attached chain to take the weight off of the winch when in storage.

Like I said, I'm sure there are better ways to do it.. this was just one way. Biggest advantage is that I can do it by myself.

Email me if you have any questions or if I can help in any way.

Good luck



Bx

 

[breckbone]

PScottBX, that's a great design. One that, with the right garage (someday), I hope to emulate. Do you happen to have a picture of the H frame you built?

 

[FARMAN33]

HOLY COW !! Thats exactly what I was thinking about.

 

[PScottBx]

PScottBX, that's a great design. One that, with the right garage (someday), I hope to emulate. Do you happen to have a picture of the H frame you built?

Thanks much. I've seen many good ones here on mud as well.

I don't have one on the computer. But I'll lower it for you and post it up. I'm out tomorrow but I'll do my best to get it for Thursday or Friday. If you email me pscottbx@yahoo.com I'll send it to you directly as well as post it.

You can also use this stuff called "unistrut" (here they use a "T" shaped piece of material and I just thought that an "H" may be a bit more stable. I'm sure either would be fine. http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=186713

Good luck and I'll try to get the pics up for you.

Scott

 

[Shipwreck]

Shipwreck can you post some pics of your setup, seems interesting.

Here are some shots I took tonight... Not much detail in a dark garage, but you can get the general idea. It's really simple.

Detail of the double pulleys. The two double pulleys quadruple the pulling power of the main rope. It takes very little effort to lift the top.

View of the ropes running diagonally from the front door openings to the rear. The third rope is difficult to see in this picture, but it just runs across the front lip.

One of the main reasons I set this up the way I did is that I didn't want any kind of framework or support hooks that would require lifting the hardtop away from the tub or roll cage first. I wanted to be able to do everything alone and in a safe manner.
Years ago I had a friend help me lift the top off the tub, and as we were lifting, my buddy lost his balance and dropped the top pinching his hand between the hardtop and the tub rail. He broke two fingers. One in five pieces.
Since then, I've always done this by myself.

 

[breckbone]

Nice pix above...just curious tho...has anyone rigged a system to work w/their winch? Or would that be too much of a PITA?

 

[bigassbike]

I was thinking of this one.
http://www.langeoriginals.com/store/cart.php?cat=1-+Hoist-A-Top+-+Manual+or+Power+for+Jeeps+-Others
Landcruise option is letter g.

Anyone know the approximate weight of the top?

 

[FARMAN33]

Figure 250# - 275#. I have mine rigged and suspended but not quite happy with it yet. 2.0 should be better and will post pics. Thanks for everyones help.

 

[highgravity]

The best and cheapest system i have found to remove the top involves 2-3 buddies and a 12 pack. Sometimes it is also necessary to fire up the grill and throw some burgers on as payment for services, but this part is optional.

 

[breckbone]

I had a friend help me take it off a few weeks ago...was awkward but doable. I didn't weigh it, but would be surprised if it topped 200lbs. My friend is a body builder, but he could only account for half of the weight...if it's over 200lbs I'm stronger than I think I am

Storage is a whole other issue, tho...can't wait to get a garage!