I used the Harken hoist. For long term, I put a cargo strap on each side for extra protection in case something breaks.

 

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.

 

How about that write-up? Very interested in how you store that up there? BTW, I like that BP sign!

 

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)

 

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...

 

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.

 

Simple enough...

 

I don't think the shelf is necessary under normal conditions, in fact, mine hung for a month by just the ropes/winch.

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.

 

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.

 

Great write up. This will go on my to-do list as soon as I can clear out space in my garage for my jk!!