[cpr]

Anyone have any ideas on making a hardtop storage cart? I REFUSE to buy one for $150 bucks. I have an Unlimited, but any solutions/ideas are appreciated. Also any storage cautions or warnings that you would like to share would be awesome!

Thanks...I'll hang up and listen.

[TJRangler]

I made one and i did not cost me a dime. I can hopefully get a pic for ya. mostly 2x4's, rope and old casters from craftsman tool box

[TJRangler]

I made one and i did not cost me a dime. I can hopefully get a pic for ya. mostly 2x4's, rope and old casters from craftsman tool box

[Dan808]

well, i had designed a pretty simple (pretty ghetto too) storage rack using some pvc pipe, elbows, T's, and pipe insulation. but then, i decided it was much easier to just drop down a couple 2x4's and sit the da** thing on it. tossed a tarp over it so it seemed somewhat officially protected. but, if you're interested, i can send you over some idea of what i had in mind.

[ricecompaq54]

I copied this from an earlier post from allen150, so all the credit goes to him. My husband is using these directions to build a dolly storage for my hard top.

Thank you allen150
I think they tell you not to store the top vertically because of the slant from top to bottom. This dolly takes the slant in consideration and supports the top and bottom where leaning the top against the wall would only support the bottom.
I don't know much about the Unlimited top, but, if you have the vertical space, I don't see why this wouldn't work.
I kept the window closed with a clamp. Because of the design, clamp isn't squeezing the glass closed. It's more of the glass pressing against the clamp.
The design could be shortened from 33" to ~27". I allowed some slack because I didn't know where the top would need to be positioned. The first arms I cut were too short and I had to scrap them.
The length of the "green" 2X4 can be altered. I used what I had and made it an even number.
The length of the "yellow" 1X2 must be less than the width between the rear window hinges. I picked 17".
The 26" measurement is from the resting surface on the stops to the blue 2X4.

I purchased:
1 2X4X12
1 2X4X8
1 1X2

Good luck.
Allen


http://img119.echo.cx/my.php?image=overview5lr.png
http://img119.echo.cx/my.php?image=stopandclamp6xu.png
http://img116.echo.cx/my.php?image=rearview7by.png
http://img70.echo.cx/my.php?image=underneath4ax.png
http://img204.echo.cx/my.php?image=hardtopdolly8ew.png

[CalgaryTJ]

If you have a garage, this is what I did. I built a shelf in the corner out of 2x4's and plywood, attached to the studs in the wall and added a metal strap from the non supported corner to a roof beam. Hangs down approx 3.5 feet and you just lift hard top off jeep and then up to the shelf. The added bonus is that you can store all that extra crap you keep in the garage under the hardtop when its up there.

[buddy]

Also, if you have a garage.

1 - Go get 4 yellow utility hooks from wal-mart or home depot, wherever, and while your there get a set of atv tie-down ratchet straps.
2 - Locate where you want to store the top close to the ceiling of your garage.
3 - Screw the hooks into the ceiling, (2 at the b-pillar area, 2 at the rear of the top).
4 - Back your jeep into the garage, in the approximate area under the new yellow hooks coming out of the ceiling.
5 - Open the doors & rear hatch. Unbolt the hard top.
6 - Hook one end of the ratchet straps to each of the yellow hooks in the rear.
7 - Hook the other end into the bolt rail holes on the top at the rear. Close the rear hatch.
8 - Take one of the remaining straps & run it throught front seat area and hook both ends of it to both of the yellow hooks close to the b-pillar.
9 - Pull all of the slack out of the straps & start ratcheting it up to the ceiling.

You can go as high as you like, but you really only need to lift it about an inch or two off of your jeep then you can drive out from under it.

I did this little procedure every summer when I was in college with my 72 blazer, except that I had a garage with open rafters so I skipped the yellow hooks part.

Costs about 30.00, no fabrication or woodwork, and you wind up with an extra strap to hold down stuff in the back of the jeep.

HTH,

Buddy

[Nomad4X4]

Originally Posted by buddy

Also, if you have a garage.

1 - Go get 4 yellow utility hooks from wal-mart or home depot, wherever, and while your there get a set of atv tie-down ratchet straps.
2 - Locate where you want to store the top close to the ceiling of your garage.
3 - Screw the hooks into the ceiling, (2 at the b-pillar area, 2 at the rear of the top).
4 - Back your jeep into the garage, in the approximate area under the new yellow hooks coming out of the ceiling.
5 - Open the doors & rear hatch. Unbolt the hard top.
6 - Hook one end of the ratchet straps to each of the yellow hooks in the rear.
7 - Hook the other end into the bolt rail holes on the top at the rear. Close the rear hatch.
8 - Take one of the remaining straps & run it throught front seat area and hook both ends of it to both of the yellow hooks close to the b-pillar.
9 - Pull all of the slack out of the straps & start ratcheting it up to the ceiling.

You can go as high as you like, but you really only need to lift it about an inch or two off of your jeep then you can drive out from under it.

I did this little procedure every summer when I was in college with my 72 blazer, except that I had a garage with open rafters so I skipped the yellow hooks part.

Costs about 30.00, no fabrication or woodwork, and you wind up with an extra strap to hold down stuff in the back of the jeep.

HTH,

Buddy

I did the same thing with my LJ hard top. This works great but I would recommend supporting the top with 2x2s w/Eye bolts through the ends. It takes a little work to do it this way but you can remove and replace your hardtop by your self and the hooks wont spread out the bottom of your hardtop. Over time, just using the hooks in the connection holes of the hardtop, your top will start to bend causing it to not fit on the tub correctly.

[mytjtoy]

I just built one last weekend. Literally took me 30 minutes and cost nothing. Used three 2x4x8's and a carpet remnant. I almost bought the one from Quadratec for $150 and then said screw it. I can't roll my around the garage but really, how often are you going to roll it around anyway! I can post pics later if you want! It's pretty generic--just screwed 2x4's to the wall, 2x4's to the floor (hammer gun) and then two little pieces at the ends of those 2x4's on the ground which holds the top from sliding anywhere--stapled carpet to the 2x4's and my wife and I lifted it up and told anybody if they threw anything onto the glass at the bottom, they would be DEAD!

[ShadowKntSDS]

I just made the one with the plans above only to find out that my garage isn't tall enough!!! Good thing I didn't order a $150 one only to have to send it back.


Good, simple design though.

[quigtj]

Originally Posted by ricecompaq54

I copied this from an earlier post from allen150, so all the credit goes to him. My husband is using these directions to build a dolly storage for my hard top.

Thank you allen150
I think they tell you not to store the top vertically because of the slant from top to bottom. This dolly takes the slant in consideration and supports the top and bottom where leaning the top against the wall would only support the bottom.
I don't know much about the Unlimited top, but, if you have the vertical space, I don't see why this wouldn't work.
I kept the window closed with a clamp. Because of the design, clamp isn't squeezing the glass closed. It's more of the glass pressing against the clamp.
The design could be shortened from 33" to ~27". I allowed some slack because I didn't know where the top would need to be positioned. The first arms I cut were too short and I had to scrap them.
The length of the "green" 2X4 can be altered. I used what I had and made it an even number.
The length of the "yellow" 1X2 must be less than the width between the rear window hinges. I picked 17".
The 26" measurement is from the resting surface on the stops to the blue 2X4.

I purchased:
1 2X4X12
1 2X4X8
1 1X2

Good luck.
Allen


http://img119.echo.cx/my.php?image=overview5lr.png
http://img119.echo.cx/my.php?image=stopandclamp6xu.png
http://img116.echo.cx/my.php?image=rearview7by.png
http://img70.echo.cx/my.php?image=underneath4ax.png
http://img204.echo.cx/my.php?image=hardtopdolly8ew.png

Just built this....

Thanks a bunch...

[allen150]

Originally Posted by ricecompaq54

I copied this from an earlier post from allen150, so all the credit goes to him. My husband is using these directions to build a dolly storage for my hard top.

Thank you allen150
I think they tell you not to store the top vertically because of the slant from top to bottom. This dolly takes the slant in consideration and supports the top and bottom where leaning the top against the wall would only support the bottom.
I don't know much about the Unlimited top, but, if you have the vertical space, I don't see why this wouldn't work.
I kept the window closed with a clamp. Because of the design, clamp isn't squeezing the glass closed. It's more of the glass pressing against the clamp.
The design could be shortened from 33" to ~27". I allowed some slack because I didn't know where the top would need to be positioned. The first arms I cut were too short and I had to scrap them.
The length of the "green" 2X4 can be altered. I used what I had and made it an even number.
The length of the "yellow" 1X2 must be less than the width between the rear window hinges. I picked 17".
The 26" measurement is from the resting surface on the stops to the blue 2X4.

I purchased:
1 2X4X12
1 2X4X8
1 1X2

Good luck.
Allen


http://img119.echo.cx/my.php?image=overview5lr.png
http://img119.echo.cx/my.php?image=stopandclamp6xu.png
http://img116.echo.cx/my.php?image=rearview7by.png
http://img70.echo.cx/my.php?image=underneath4ax.png
http://img204.echo.cx/my.php?image=hardtopdolly8ew.png

I almost bought the same $150 piece of crap! Instead I spent $200 on a drill, skilsaw, and lumber and built the caddy. Glad everyone is enjoying it.

Allen

[Gritz]

How do you guys slide the top off the lumber and onto the jeep itself? I made this one up three years ago w/o using the 2x4's, and have been using it for the past three summers w/o any problems what-so-ever. We have about a 12 foot ceiling. I rigged up a simple hoist that cost me less than $20 from Home Depot. (I already had the carabiners, webbing,and rings from my climbing gear). here is the link to some pics.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bgritz/album?.dir=37ad&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%

I can just back the jeep under mine, lower it onto the edges, unhook the straps, bolt down, and go. It takes all of 7 minutes. I have hung it this way for three summers w/o any problems.

good luck.
gritz

[iceless]

thanx, allen. great set of instructions. made one in about 15 minutes, and works great.

iceless in olympia

[quigtj]

Originally Posted by Gritz

How do you guys slide the top off the lumber and onto the jeep itself? I made this one up three years ago w/o using the 2x4's, and have been using it for the past three summers w/o any problems what-so-ever. We have about a 12 foot ceiling. I rigged up a simple hoist that cost me less than $20 from Home Depot. (I already had the carabiners, webbing,and rings from my climbing gear). here is the link to some pics.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bgritz/album?.dir=37ad&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%

I can just back the jeep under mine, lower it onto the edges, unhook the straps, bolt down, and go. It takes all of 7 minutes. I have hung it this way for three summers w/o any problems.

good luck.
gritz

I built the 2x4 model above, but think I might try this too...I like having it out of the way. Thanks