Hardtop hoist/storage write-up
#382
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Stillwater, MN
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Finished up my hoist today, used the following parts:
All of this is from Menards (home improvement store):
Simple boat winch
100 feet poly line
8 swivel pulleys
12 Snap hooks
A handful of 3" long 3/8" dia. Lag bolts
2 angle brackets (heavy duty) to mount the winch
Then, just to be safe, and give me a shelf to store the two front portions of the roof:
2 2x6 boards 6 feet long
4 2" eyebolts with nuts and washers
4 3" lag style eye bolts
4 ratchet straps
The setup was simple, and it works great. The winch setup allows me to remove and install the top alone. It is secure (I have been using it for over a month now). I'm unsure of the total investment, but pretty sure I'm under $100 for the winch part, and about $40 for the secondary supports.
All of this is from Menards (home improvement store):
Simple boat winch
100 feet poly line
8 swivel pulleys
12 Snap hooks
A handful of 3" long 3/8" dia. Lag bolts
2 angle brackets (heavy duty) to mount the winch
Then, just to be safe, and give me a shelf to store the two front portions of the roof:
2 2x6 boards 6 feet long
4 2" eyebolts with nuts and washers
4 3" lag style eye bolts
4 ratchet straps
The setup was simple, and it works great. The winch setup allows me to remove and install the top alone. It is secure (I have been using it for over a month now). I'm unsure of the total investment, but pretty sure I'm under $100 for the winch part, and about $40 for the secondary supports.
#383
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: San Diego, CA
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Originally Posted by Sierra141
No write up yet but here is mine.
<img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=298447"/>
<img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=298447"/>
#384
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Atlanta, GA
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Got mine up this weekend. Thanks for the write up. I went with the Harken Hoist to lift the top and then built two shelves to hold it up. (I ran out of staples for the carpet so it's not quite done yet)
#385
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Join Date: Jan 2012
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I picked up a bike hoist last night... will be strengthening certain areas and getting this life-saver up this weekend.
EDIT: Bike hoist was a flop! I am picking up an electric hoist this week...
EDIT: Bike hoist was a flop! I am picking up an electric hoist this week...
Last edited by Wood82ABN; 05-29-2012 at 04:31 AM.
#386
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: West Des Moines, IA
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Need shelf?
Anyone have any thoughts on whether the shelf is totally necessary? I've seen the Lange lift - it's essentially the same setup. Just seems that if I added a couple of ratchet straps to spread the load from where the hooks hold the top, that it would be sufficiently strong to hold it.
More than anything, trying to minimize my clearances underneath it - shelf kind of seems like overkill.
More than anything, trying to minimize my clearances underneath it - shelf kind of seems like overkill.
#388
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Stillwater, MN
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Originally Posted by vizualizr
Anyone have any thoughts on whether the shelf is totally necessary? I've seen the Lange lift - it's essentially the same setup. Just seems that if I added a couple of ratchet straps to spread the load from where the hooks hold the top, that it would be sufficiently strong to hold it.
More than anything, trying to minimize my clearances underneath it - shelf kind of seems like overkill.
More than anything, trying to minimize my clearances underneath it - shelf kind of seems like overkill.
I had two reasons for the "shelf" or ratchet straps supported by the eye bolts;
1: I wanted somewhere safe/secure to put the freedom panels.
2: I have three very "active" and curious kids...and I was a bit nervous about them hitting the release on the winch and having the entire top slam to the ground.
#389
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Atlanta, GA
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Anybody have any thought on using wider straps, like 2.5" wide instead of the skinny .5 or 1" straps? I bought a bunch of stuff at Harbor Freight to hang mine and bought wider straps hoping that it would spread out the weight a little more. The last thing I want is for it to break my fiberglass or fall on my roommates Corvette hood.