Any tips for a hard top hoist?

buzzard86 · 03-24-2005, 08:54 PM

Have any of you guys fabricated your own hard top hoist and care to share some ideas? I googled the topic but was less than impressed with the findings. Don't really want to buy as I've heard that the quality of most was questionable and they're all quite expensive. I was thinking about just fabricating something using a pulley and winch system, but I'm having some difficulty figuring out how to grab the back of the top.

Interested to hear your ideas and, if possible, see photos. I'm open to all suggestion. My only requirement is that I need to be able to make it with regular tools (ie, I don't weld) and would prefer that parts be found at the big boxes like Home Depot, Lowes, etc.

Thanks!

JIM

Slipslap · 03-24-2005, 09:10 PM

I am fixing to make one. I am gonna use 2 4x4 posts and a 2x4 on top. I will slot the 4x4 posts to put the 2x4 in lengthwise for more strength. The mount a pulley in the middle and on the post. Then rig up 4 lines to hook the corners and use a boat winch to lift it so you can pull out from under it. And then lower it so it's not putting a strain on the winch or frame.

**dawgates** · 03-24-2005, 10:31 PM

Go buy one of these cheap come-a-longs at Harbor Freight. It will hoist an undressed deer, it will hoist a hard top.
Install a 3/8" eye bolt in your garage rafter, slide a 2x4 front to back and another side to side (cut 2x4's so 4" or more stick out from each side of the top). Secure some rope in the edge of each 2x4 that's sticking out from the top (drill hole, tie knot in bottom), tie them together just behind the doors above the roof. Hook your hoist to the eye bolt and the top, then test your lift to make sure you're close to the middle of the weight. Adjust if needed.
I used this for a friends Miata. It would great until he walked into the top one night with the lights off in the garage. Nice lump!

Jeep Daddy · 03-24-2005, 10:33 PM

Look here:

http://wrangler.kicks-***.net/HardtopHoist.htm

**dawgates** · 03-24-2005, 10:43 PM

JeepDaddy,
I love it. I'll save that for when I install my hard top. But, buzzard86 doesn't know how to weld.
Maybe since he owns a CJ he should learn, don't you think?

Geer_hed · 03-24-2005, 11:02 PM

Gotcha covered

:

Stu-offroad
Darksiderz
JU Thread 1
Jeepforum Thread 1
Jeepforum Thread 2
JU Thread 2
JU Thread 3
JU Thread 4
Jeepforum Thread 3
Jeepforum Thread 4
Jeepforum Thread 5
Jeepforum Thread 6

LEVE's got a no welding hoist somewhere too.. I can't find it at the minute, but there are a couple other no welding hoists in there as well...

03-24-2005, 11:02 PM	#6
Geer_hed Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 2,226 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Gotcha covered : Stu-offroad Darksiderz JU Thread 1 Jeepforum Thread 1 Jeepforum Thread 2 JU Thread 2 JU Thread 3 JU Thread 4 Jeepforum Thread 3 Jeepforum Thread 4 Jeepforum Thread 5 Jeepforum Thread 6 LEVE's got a no welding hoist somewhere too.. I can't find it at the minute, but there are a couple other no welding hoists in there as well... __________________ [center][color=black][b]85 CJ7 / 258 / T176 / Dana 30/ AMC 20[/b][/color] [url=http://www.geocities.com/cantwait_forviolence/]My Online Dumping Ground[/url][/center]

03-24-2005, 09:10 PM	#2
Slipslap Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Evans, GA Posts: 315 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I am fixing to make one. I am gonna use 2 4x4 posts and a 2x4 on top. I will slot the 4x4 posts to put the 2x4 in lengthwise for more strength. The mount a pulley in the middle and on the post. Then rig up 4 lines to hook the corners and use a boat winch to lift it so you can pull out from under it. And then lower it so it's not putting a strain on the winch or frame.