Thanks that should work in a storage unit.

 

I just completed almost this exact thing for my hardtop. Worked like a charm and all it cost me was the hooks.

Now I don't have to beg my wife to help me!

Thank for this post and all the ideas on this thread, they were a great help.

 

My solution is similar to BosoxJK...4 rubber coated J-hooks from Lowes and 2 heavy duty ratchet straps. Just run the loose ends of the straps under the top and lift off one side at a time, simple as that. I've been using this setup for over a year now, zero issues whatsoever. The winch style systems on this thread are sweet, just needed something quick, cheap, and easy...It's worked so well, I just put my cable/winch plans on the backburner..

 

I

It is very simple. Not as elaborate as others on here but just as sturdy and a 1/3 of the cost. And def no need for the wife's bickering help!

 

I've found myself in the same situation. I have 1 2x joist then the next 5 are all engineered! I was planning on running a 68" piece of superstrut across them all, which should spread the weight out greatly, but I'm curious to see if anyone else has sunk lag screws into these I beams. From what I've read, it is not recommend, yet my garage door brackets are all lagged into something :(

 

Can you put a couple of 2x6 scabs on either side of the beams and bolt them together so you are sandwiching the beam. Then lag into the bottom of the 2x6's.

 

Trust me on this one, I am a structural engineer. Do not put a lag bolt through the bottom flange of an I joist.

Look on anI joist manufacturers website and they should have some details on how to install 2x web stiffeners, then install a 2x spanning between the two using joist hangers.

 

thanks.. that's what I'll do. I would rather cut up some sheetrock and do it right and not take the chance of having my FROG fall!

back to Lowe's! I already have 2x6, bolts and liquid nail, just didn't get the hangers!

 

Subscribed!!!

Great designs ladies and gents. Will be firing up the welder for a t design and hand winch as the weather gets warmer certainly no tops off in February here in NH.

 

So here's what I'm thinking:

Racor Hoist: Amazon.com: Racor PHL-1R Pro HeavyLift 4-by-4-Foot Cable-Lifted Storage Rack: Home Improvement
- Lower mesh platform down on top of the hard top
- Secure the hard top to the mesh platform by running an X pattern with ratchet straps through the windows and back up to the platform
- Hoist the top as high as desired

Then:
- Slide 2 2x4's (with eye holes out on ends) onto mesh platform
- Hang chains to bottom of hard top
- Attach a section of 1 5/8" uni strut to bottom of chains
- Use existing hard top holes and make a "stud" using a spring nut, skinny bolt, and wing nut to secure the hard top down onto the 2 rows of unistrut

OR

- Hang chains from ceiling
- Attach a section of 1 5/8" uni strut to bottom of chains
- Use existing hard top holes and make a "stud" using a spring nut, skinny bolt, and wing nut to secure the hard top down onto the 2 rows of unistrut

See sketchup model for clarification:
Lifting the Hard Top:





Securing top with method 1






Securing top with method 2




I'm getting ready to buy the pieces for this project soon, and I'll post some real pictures and make a write-up.