Winch for Hartop Hoist
01-19-2009, 12:51 PM
#11
JK Super Freak
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Sussex County, NJ
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is the one I use. I managed to get it on sale at the time for just over 65 bucks, but 80 bucks isn't bad and it'll definitely do the job if you want an electric one.
http://www. harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40765
Edit:
And to answer your question about raising the top 5 feet using the manual winch, it's a PITA. It's not real hard, but each rotation of the crank moves the winch about 1/4 inch it seems. Plus with the electric winch, you can stand right beside it, hold the remote in one hand and make sure the top doesn't rock back and forth and is lined up just right. Worth every penny.
http://www. harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40765
Edit:
And to answer your question about raising the top 5 feet using the manual winch, it's a PITA. It's not real hard, but each rotation of the crank moves the winch about 1/4 inch it seems. Plus with the electric winch, you can stand right beside it, hold the remote in one hand and make sure the top doesn't rock back and forth and is lined up just right. Worth every penny.
The problem with the one you are using is that I would have to mount it directly above the jeep and I have very little clearance up there...thats why I wanted a reg. elec. winch to mount on the side of the bulk head, then run the cable down, under a pully, then straight over another pully and down to the Jeep...
Anyone else using an elec. winch as opposed to a manual winch or a hoist?
01-19-2009, 04:00 PM
#12
JK Enthusiast
I am going to build the hartop hoist that is in the write up herehttp://https://www.jk-forum.com/foru...ead.php?t=5559 up here
I was thinking of using a automatic winch as opposed to the hand winch in the write up and I have 1 question:
All the winches say not for overhead lifting, I am wondering if I can use the winch (as shown in the pic below...sorry no photo shop). I will then run the cable under a pully hanging on the corner, then over another pully in the middle of the hard top and down to the hoist bar...
What do you guys think??
Any better suggestions?
Edit: I am only going to lift the top about 3 inches then lower it to a cart...I know there is not alot of clearance
I was thinking of using a automatic winch as opposed to the hand winch in the write up and I have 1 question:
All the winches say not for overhead lifting, I am wondering if I can use the winch (as shown in the pic below...sorry no photo shop). I will then run the cable under a pully hanging on the corner, then over another pully in the middle of the hard top and down to the hoist bar...
What do you guys think??
Any better suggestions?
Edit: I am only going to lift the top about 3 inches then lower it to a cart...I know there is not alot of clearance
I also built this winch set up. For the amount of times that I've taken the hard top off (ONCE!) the manual winch has been fine. Really thinking about just getting rid of the hard top. OK I'll stir things up here ...... but a real jeep only has a soft top right?? What do I need that damn hardtop hanging in my garage for anyway?
Ok I do live in VA, and it is not MA or MN, but hell it's not that cold and do hard tops really help that much?
01-19-2009, 04:29 PM
#13
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: St. Simons Island
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I like simple:
http://my.project-jk.com/showphoto.php?photo=2278
This is a Harken Hoister. I back the JK in, attach hooks in front mounting holes and a strap under the rear, place the removable pieces on top and hoist it up. It is secure and easy to install and use.
http://my.project-jk.com/showphoto.php?photo=2278
This is a Harken Hoister. I back the JK in, attach hooks in front mounting holes and a strap under the rear, place the removable pieces on top and hoist it up. It is secure and easy to install and use.
01-19-2009, 04:43 PM
#14
JK Super Freak
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Sussex County, NJ
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Anyone else have any idea if a regular electic winch will work??
I dont want to use something like the harken hoist because im only lifting it a few inches, then lowering to a cart....no clearance to keep it hanging...
Ill be taking the hardtop off every spring/summer so it will help having some type of hoist...
I dont want to use something like the harken hoist because im only lifting it a few inches, then lowering to a cart....no clearance to keep it hanging...
Ill be taking the hardtop off every spring/summer so it will help having some type of hoist...
01-19-2009, 05:18 PM
#15
JK Freak
a regular electric winch will work fine as long as it has a brake ( most do). See the link in my signature.
I mounted mine on a rail, but you can wall mount it with proper pulley mounts. I use a starter/charger to power mine.
I mounted mine on a rail, but you can wall mount it with proper pulley mounts. I use a starter/charger to power mine.
01-19-2009, 05:35 PM
#16
JK Super Freak
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Sussex County, NJ
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanx
EDIT:
Disregard, I saw them in your gallery...
01-19-2009, 05:53 PM
#17
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Fairfax, Va
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I built an electric hoist myself somewhat similar to the one you are referring to. I would actually recommend the manual hoist. You have more tactile control on the raising and lowering.
The Chicago Electric 440lb hoist I got is actually a little too fast even just tapping the button. Let's say you do just tap it to fine tune the height you also have to contend with the jerking and jostling the sudden abrupt jog the motor caused.
Maybe its because I went a little overkill on the hoist and if you got the smaller hoist it would be better matched to the weight but also how often do you really plan on taking the top on and off?
I ended up selling my hard top anyways being in the increasingly tame winters in Northern Virginia.
The Chicago Electric 440lb hoist I got is actually a little too fast even just tapping the button. Let's say you do just tap it to fine tune the height you also have to contend with the jerking and jostling the sudden abrupt jog the motor caused.
Maybe its because I went a little overkill on the hoist and if you got the smaller hoist it would be better matched to the weight but also how often do you really plan on taking the top on and off?
I ended up selling my hard top anyways being in the increasingly tame winters in Northern Virginia.
01-19-2009, 06:17 PM
#18
JK Super Freak
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Springfield, MO
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I bought one of the premanufactured hoists, but I now know I could have built the same thing a lot cheaper. The electric winch they use is the same as the harbor freight one mentioned, but I usually lift mine up to the ceiling and then set it down on a set of 2x4's suspended from the ceiling by straps. This way it doesn't spin around like it did when suspended by a single mount point in the center of the hardtop.
01-20-2009, 05:28 AM
#20
JK Junkie
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Pottstown, PA
Posts: 2,466
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I personally think an electric winch is overkill as the manual brake winch hoists even the 4 door hardtop to the ceiling with little effort and I agree that I think there is more control. The brake winch I mentioned in my write-up has a 4:1 gear ratio and with the use of the pulleys it makes the hoisting very easy. Just my 
