Cannot decide on a hard top hoist. I have a 15 JKU. I cannot decide if I should buy a hoist or build my own. What brand or model? What type of lift? Motor, crank, rope with pully? Any help here would be appreciated.

 

Harken hoister

 

Why the harken over the others? How was install?

 

Price, ease of use and overall quality

 

By the time i was done with my DIY hoist with a harbor Freight hand crank trailer winch, I think I was into it about as much as the cheapest hoist on the market, but mine was much more stout!
With any ceiling mounted hoist, though, you want to make sure you are through bolted into whatever support you use and not rely on only a lag bolt eyelet.

 

Do a search on the forum for "Racor". It's not advertised as a hardtop lift, but I have been using it for a few years now and it also gives you a place to put the front sections too. Plus you can use it manually or powered with a 1/2 drill driver. I can have my top off in under 15 minutes from start to finish.

 

I really like my Harken Hoister. I prefer the feel and control of manually raising and lowering the top over using an electric winch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUheHz-DuPg

 

I use two ratchet straps and two pull straps. four eye bolts in studs in the ceiling of the garage. ratchet it up and use the pull straps and tension to lower it back down. The top weighs maybe 150 lbs at the so each strap holds about 40 lbs each. Plenty of strength.

 

Can you post some pics?

 

I bought the Harken. It's a little pricey for what you get but all the pieces were there and harken hardware is top quality. The hoist works great and I use it all the time.