[MA09JK]

OK guys, I'm building a hoist to remove my hard top (09 Unlimited Freedom Top) but i want to know what everyone thinks of storing it suspended from the hoist? The hoist I'm building is the same style as the one Qudratrac sells. It uses one hook in the back and one on each side of the front.

Anybody else storing theirs this way?

Thanks!!

[cwoodffr]

If you are taking it off once....go simple. I used 4 ratchet straps. Ratchet ends on the ceiling. I bought ones with hooks on the other ends. The rears hook under each side just forward from the corners on the sides, the front I go under, across and up. You then ratchet just enough that you can pull on the tails, but not have it slide back. Then go around and go up 6 or so inches at a time till its high enough, then ratchet a few more turns to lock it fully in place. Done.

If you use the ratchet to pull only, they fill up after only a foot or two....by just using the friction to pull and hold, you don't have that problem.

If you are going on and off with no soft top then you might want something more elaborate but this is cheap and effective.

[tkn1437]

I use the exact hoist you are talking about. Works perfect. No issues with long time storage.

[VanBCguy]

Firs off, I know, HORRIBLE pic, but it's all I have.

4 eye bolts spaced about 1" wider than the roof. 3 ratchet straps. One strap goes around and under the front of the roof (it's super light and only needs one). The back corners each get their own strap (#2 and #3). Straight down, underneath the edge of the roof, folded back upwards and then down through the bolt hole. This is easy but very important. If you do it the way I'm suggesting (it's easy to figure out when you're actually doing it), your roof will actually be supported ON the straps and not on the hooks.

Use the excess strapping in the rear to tie around the back window to prevent it from flipping up.

This can literally make it a 2 min. off and 2-3 min. on job, one person (that includes bolting things back down).

Questions? PM me.

[VanBCguy]

Originally Posted by cwoodffr

If you are going on and off with no soft top then you might want something more elaborate but this is cheap and effective.

Originally Posted by tkn1437

I use the exact hoist you are talking about. Works perfect. No issues with long time storage.

I used this set-up for 3 years with probably 100+ on and offs. No long term use effects. You'll have it down to a science in no time. All for the cost of 4 eye bolts and 3 ratchet straps.

Honestly? The trickiest part of this is parking to line things up. But after a few times, even that becomes easy.

[DaveinHouston]

Originally Posted by MA09JK

OK guys, I'm building a hoist to remove my hard top (09 Unlimited Freedom Top) but i want to know what everyone thinks of storing it suspended from the hoist? The hoist I'm building is the same style as the one Qudratrac sells. It uses one hook in the back and one on each side of the front.

Anybody else storing theirs this way?

Thanks!!

I use a home made hoist, pull it up close to the ceiling in the garage and leave it there.

[COLORADO]

I converted my YJ hoist for the my JK and I lift it to the ceiling and leave it there. I also have 3 chains (One at each corner) I connect to the hoist After its lifted to secure it in place in case the hoist fails. No problems after 16 years.

[MA09JK]

THANKS GUYS!! I'm going to give it a try!!

[N2rock]

I have a homemade hoist similar to what you are describing- 1 hook rear, 2 in front, using a 1000lb winch to lift it. Once it is off, I lift it as high as it will go, and then attach a ratchet strap to both rear corners, and to eyebolts in the ceiling. I do that for 3 reasons-

one: to lessen the stress of the rear hook- since it is hooking to the rear window frame, I am concerned over time it could damage the window seal.

two: to add stability to it. With it just hanging from the hoist, it can move easily if it is bumped. The straps hold is steady at all times. Since I park under mine and it is a tight fit, I don't want the top to move at all.

three: with it held firm by the ratchet straps, it makes backing under it (to reinstall) a breeze

I'm taking mine off again tonight (had to put it back on Tuesday night because of rain in the Wednesday forecast) I'll take pictures.

FWIW- I've done this so many times that I can have it completely off and stored in under 15 minutes. Tuesday night- I had all 4 doors and top off. I put everything back on and hooked up in under 20 minutes.

[JrJmisn]

Ill have to take a picture of how I store mine. If you have an open wall it works really well. ...Ill try to describe it without pictures:
I bought a shelf from home depot, about a foot/foot and a half deep and about 6 feet wide, the kind that is made of coated wire with L brackets holding it up from underneath. It is rated for 800 pounds. I put that on the wall. I place the hard top, front panels removed, on that shelf front end down (tailgate end (closed) up toward the ceiling), roof side against the wall. The top does overhang the shelf some, though it does stay put on its own weight, but i strap from the ceiling to the shelf to restrain it. The open (inside of the top) side is facing out toward me with shelf, so I put the front panels in that area. It save a ton of space.

Ive used dollies for of hard tops, Ive suspended them, Ive tried alot of ways...and this, so far, is the best use of space. If interested I can take pictures at home...if this description didnt make sense. There is no need for a hoist system...the top doesnt weigh more than two men can handle off the Jeep

...Just an idea...nothing wrong with suspending it if the room and height allows...just a quick thought for an idea!

[N2rock]

Originally Posted by JrJmisn

There is no need for a hoist system...the top doesnt weigh more than two men can handle off the Jeep

But some of us don't have an extra man available to lift it . I know my wife can't lift it The hoist makes it a one man operation to remove the top. Which means I can remove it (or put it on) anytime I want without searching for a neighbor to assist me.

[ctgretzky99]

My wife and I were able to lift the top off the 2 door. Then we carried into the garage where I have plenty of room (4 car garage) because the boat came out and that took up 2 of the 4 spaces. It is on the ground propped on some chunks of 2x4's sitting as if it was on the Jeep.
I also have 2 friends locally who have Jeeps, and I have helped them on/off with hard tops, so I have people to trade labor off if need be.

[MA09JK]

Well ours is up over my garage door now. And our new trektop went on this morning ( love the way it looks).

Now I have another stupid question. After you have a soft top on a while does it loosen up? I put it on today in the sun (70 degrees), it was tight but everything fit. Tonight we were going to roll it down after the sun went down (65 degrees) and well.... it lacked an inch from reaching the windsheild frame. I looked it over and nothing had shifted so I guess it shrunk. Any advice from you long time Jeep guys would be great.

[N2rock]

Originally Posted by MA09JK

Well ours is up over my garage door now. And our new trektop went on this morning ( love the way it looks).

Now I have another stupid question. After you have a soft top on a while does it loosen up? I put it on today in the sun (70 degrees), it was tight but everything fit. Tonight we were going to roll it down after the sun went down (65 degrees) and well.... it lacked an inch from reaching the windsheild frame. I looked it over and nothing had shifted so I guess it shrunk. Any advice from you long time Jeep guys would be great.

The Trektop instructions say to not install it below 70 degrees. Yes, the material does not stretch as easily below 70. First time we installed mine, it was 50 degree. There was 3 of us fighting with that thing of over an hour. Yeah that thing is a ***** to put on when it won't stretch properly.

[MA09JK]

Ok good to know. The way east Tennessee weather is that may SUCK!!!!