Nothing revolutionary but I got my floor back with this project! A friend who no longer owns her Jeep gave me an electric hoist!!! I had to do some adjusting to make it fit the new freedom top but it was not difficult. I rigged up the winch to a post in my garage, used some eye bolts and pulleys and it was good to go. However the top dangling there over both my vehicles was concerning and I still needed somewhere to put the freedom front panels and the back seat when not in use. So I put together a 4x6ft shelf which hangs from chain under the hoisted top. So now I have the added security, and a place for whatver all stored 6 feet above the floor (Im 5'11" so I can walk under it). I plan to throw a sheet over it to keep things clean and I may paint it white to blend in to the ceiling when I get around to it. I might even throw some carpet on it to keep the bottom edge from getting messed up.

I used 3/8" eye bolts, 250lb rated chain, 2x4s for the frame and ceiling mounts.







And yes I already have a lot of toys hanging from the ceiling (canoe, 3 bikes, a tandem, and some RC planes) so the top fits right in...

 

Nice setup. I bought a Lange one from Quadratec but top hangs at a bit of an angle.

 

Good idea! Mine hangs about head height, so I open the glass, and walk thru it as needed. Otherwise, I'd borrow your shelf idea.

 

Cool setup how much to do mine

 

Nice work. Can you walk me through the process to get you top on and odd the shelf? Do you disconnect the shelf to raise and lower the top?

 

Thanks guys.

To get the top on and off, the shelf comes off the chains. You can sorta see in the pics that the bottom link in the chain opens up. They unscrew like a locking carabineer. they still stay in a C shape so it doesnt fall on your feet when you unscrew it. I will post a close up later. So then you unhook the chain and swing the shelf down one side at a time. You are left with a top hanging from the cable and 4 free hanging chains. Park the Jeep under it and lower it down. Oh and take all the other crap off the shelf before you try to remove it! That could go badly!!!

The shelf just gives a place to set the top down. I didn’t know if years of hanging from the hoist would warp it??? This way it sits flat like Jeep intended.

The hoist is actually a Lange originally bought at Quadratec. They run around $400 for the electric version. Not sure why yours doesn’t hang level. Have you adjusted the cable attachment point? Mine hangs level after some adjustment.

Price to do again? lets see, hoist $400, shelf materials $50, labor 4hrs.... oh wait its for a Jeep??? triple it ! $1500 plus travel expenses should cover it

 

Mine hangs at an angle as well... I just throw a weight up there on one side and all is right in the world again