Hardtop hoist/storage write-up
Thread Starter
JK Junkie
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,466
Likes: 0
From: Pottstown, PA
You could buy a Lange... that was my first consideration. Then I figured I build my own, make it a little more stout than the Lange and include a shelf to hold the weight of the top and Freedom Top panels once it's lifted of the Jeep. If building your own setup isn't your thing I would recommend buying a Lange or the other Sears system mentioned in this thread. This DIY setup has worked well for me for the last 4 years and I've built several others for friends as well. 
I personally would stay away from something that holds the top suspended from straps. That's an expensive top hanging from a few cheap nylon straps ... especially with the Jeep parked under it !!! If you search hard enough you're bound to find a story where someones top has fallen from their ceiling and destroyed.
I personally would stay away from something that holds the top suspended from straps. That's an expensive top hanging from a few cheap nylon straps ... especially with the Jeep parked under it !!! If you search hard enough you're bound to find a story where someones top has fallen from their ceiling and destroyed.
Last edited by HG07JKRubi; Apr 1, 2011 at 11:07 AM.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: Torrance, CA
snip
For what it's worth, the one I posted uses seat belt quality straps.
hxxp://www.hoistlifts.com/jeep.htm
I doubt many have fallen because of strap issues, but I could see issues with the hooks in the ceiling improperly installed being an issue. Also, having a hook under the edge seems far more likely to get bumped and fall off verses a full strap all the way across the under side of the top.
Of course, just my 2 cents
I personally would stay away from something that holds the top suspended from straps. That's an expensive top hanging from a few cheap nylon straps ... especially with the Jeep parked under it !!! If you search hard enough you're bound to find a story where someones top has fallen from their ceiling and destroyed.
hxxp://www.hoistlifts.com/jeep.htm
I doubt many have fallen because of strap issues, but I could see issues with the hooks in the ceiling improperly installed being an issue. Also, having a hook under the edge seems far more likely to get bumped and fall off verses a full strap all the way across the under side of the top.
Of course, just my 2 cents
JK Freak
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 567
Likes: 1
From: NE-OH
You could buy a Lange... that was my first consideration. Then I figured I build my own, make it a little more stout than the Lange and include a shelf to hold the weight of the top and Freedom Top panels once it's lifted of the Jeep. If building your own setup isn't your thing I would recommend buying a Lange or the other Sears system mentioned in this thread. This DIY setup has worked well for me for the last 4 years and I've built several others for friends as well. I personally would stay away from something that holds the top suspended from straps. That's an expensive top hanging from a few cheap nylon straps ... especially with the Jeep parked under it !!! If you search hard enough you're bound to find a story where someones top has fallen from their ceiling and destroyed.
I personally would stay away from something that holds the top suspended from straps. That's an expensive top hanging from a few cheap nylon straps ... especially with the Jeep parked under it !!! If you search hard enough you're bound to find a story where someones top has fallen from their ceiling and destroyed.EDIT: Nevermind, I see it in post#1. It would be nice if you sold all the parts for the hoist as a package
Last edited by speed2005; Apr 1, 2011 at 09:09 PM.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
From: Newark, DE
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Louisville, KY
I love this thread. I've studied it from front to back in trying to decide what to do for my hard top storage. I don't have the floor space like most folks so a dolly wasn't an option.
After pricing parts in my area (Fastenal as well as pricing at Lowes) I realized I could go with the Racor Pro HeavyLift solution. I ended up installing the HeavyLift unit (a 4' x 4' wire mesh ceiling storage rack with a manual crank lift mechanism built in - rated for up to 225 pounds).
All I had to do was add three cam-straps (Strapworks (dot) com) to the setup and I was ready to go. For my straps I chose three 1" straps with rubber coated flat hooks and the standard steel locking cam style buckle (and buckle pads).
Operation is fairly straight forward: Remove Freedom panels, mounting screws and washer and electrical connector, place 3/4" foam blocks just behind the center screw of the hard top and rail (lift hard top slightly and slide blocks in to create a little lift to keep the flat hooks from hooking the steel retaining rail of the tub). The straps just drape over the 4' x 4' grid of the storage platform - I 'wove' the straps up and down through the grid to help them stay in place while hooking everything up and prevent it from slipping side to side after hung. Slide one side of each strap in then on the other side just fit the hook under and pull up on the strap and let the cam lock in place providing tension. Repeat for all three straps (giving 3 lift points on each side of the top).
Use your cordless drill to operate the lift bringing the top up off the Jeep.
If you feel you need a safety then you'll just have to add some eye bolts to the ceiling and add either a platform or hook to the top in some other way.
However I don't feed a safety is needed. Three 1" nylon straps are rated for around 2000 pounds breaking strength each, so a working load of less than 100 pounds across 3 straps is not going to fail. If the Racor Pro HeavyLift is properly installed it too should be running at less than half of it's rated working load.
Pics to follow if I can find time next time I have the top off. Getting cool and rainy here for a while so the hard top is back on until I decide to get the soft top out of the box.
After pricing parts in my area (Fastenal as well as pricing at Lowes) I realized I could go with the Racor Pro HeavyLift solution. I ended up installing the HeavyLift unit (a 4' x 4' wire mesh ceiling storage rack with a manual crank lift mechanism built in - rated for up to 225 pounds).
All I had to do was add three cam-straps (Strapworks (dot) com) to the setup and I was ready to go. For my straps I chose three 1" straps with rubber coated flat hooks and the standard steel locking cam style buckle (and buckle pads).
Operation is fairly straight forward: Remove Freedom panels, mounting screws and washer and electrical connector, place 3/4" foam blocks just behind the center screw of the hard top and rail (lift hard top slightly and slide blocks in to create a little lift to keep the flat hooks from hooking the steel retaining rail of the tub). The straps just drape over the 4' x 4' grid of the storage platform - I 'wove' the straps up and down through the grid to help them stay in place while hooking everything up and prevent it from slipping side to side after hung. Slide one side of each strap in then on the other side just fit the hook under and pull up on the strap and let the cam lock in place providing tension. Repeat for all three straps (giving 3 lift points on each side of the top).
Use your cordless drill to operate the lift bringing the top up off the Jeep.
If you feel you need a safety then you'll just have to add some eye bolts to the ceiling and add either a platform or hook to the top in some other way.
However I don't feed a safety is needed. Three 1" nylon straps are rated for around 2000 pounds breaking strength each, so a working load of less than 100 pounds across 3 straps is not going to fail. If the Racor Pro HeavyLift is properly installed it too should be running at less than half of it's rated working load.
Pics to follow if I can find time next time I have the top off. Getting cool and rainy here for a while so the hard top is back on until I decide to get the soft top out of the box.
JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: North Central OH
Can't wait to get this done for my garage. Ordered an electric hoist today from harbor freight, 880 lb. model on sale $119, today only coupon code "15now" saved 15 more dollars, plus shipping is free on orders over $100. Got it delivered with tax for less than the $119 sale price.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
I just needed to say "Thanks" HG07JKRubi. This is freaking awesome. I am almost done as we speak, just needed to look at one of your photos.
I've been wanting to do this since we moved to our new place about 2 years ago. I took the day off because it was getting too nice outside.
Thanks again.
I've been wanting to do this since we moved to our new place about 2 years ago. I took the day off because it was getting too nice outside.
Thanks again.
Thread Starter
JK Junkie
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,466
Likes: 0
From: Pottstown, PA
I just needed to say "Thanks" HG07JKRubi. This is freaking awesome. I am almost done as we speak, just needed to look at one of your photos.
I've been wanting to do this since we moved to our new place about 2 years ago. I took the day off because it was getting too nice outside.
Thanks again.
I've been wanting to do this since we moved to our new place about 2 years ago. I took the day off because it was getting too nice outside.
Thanks again.