Removing the hard top - why is it always such a PITA???
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Fredericksburg, VA
Removing the hard top - why is it always such a PITA???
So, I have a 2 door JK with the freedom top - so the hard top is not as heavy as my 98 was... (thank god).
However, I still want to be able to get it on and off, single handedly, with relative ease. With the way the weather turns here, it can be sunny one minute and thunderstorm the next, and there will be times when I have to say "Damn - need to get it on and run!"
I built a hoist with an electronic winch, very similiar to that recommended by KG07JKRubi here:
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...hard+top+hoist
It seems functional, but I'd like to think about something better...
Why, OH WHY does Jeep not put some type of connection points right into the roof to allow for easy on off?
Has anyone done a mod that puts lift points directly into the roof? I was thinking of some type of bracing on the inside, with a small u-bolt at each corner, with some RTV to keep it waterproof... paint em black and should look fine... then it would simply be a matter of backing up, hooking the chains to the lift points, and hauling it on up.
Any insight, ideas, suggestions, comments, criticisms, etc would be greatly appreciated. Hope you all have a great day!
However, I still want to be able to get it on and off, single handedly, with relative ease. With the way the weather turns here, it can be sunny one minute and thunderstorm the next, and there will be times when I have to say "Damn - need to get it on and run!"
I built a hoist with an electronic winch, very similiar to that recommended by KG07JKRubi here:
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...hard+top+hoist
It seems functional, but I'd like to think about something better...
Why, OH WHY does Jeep not put some type of connection points right into the roof to allow for easy on off?
Has anyone done a mod that puts lift points directly into the roof? I was thinking of some type of bracing on the inside, with a small u-bolt at each corner, with some RTV to keep it waterproof... paint em black and should look fine... then it would simply be a matter of backing up, hooking the chains to the lift points, and hauling it on up.
Any insight, ideas, suggestions, comments, criticisms, etc would be greatly appreciated. Hope you all have a great day!
JK Super Freak
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster County, PA
So, I have a 2 door JK with the freedom top - so the hard top is not as heavy as my 98 was... (thank god).
However, I still want to be able to get it on and off, single handedly, with relative ease. With the way the weather turns here, it can be sunny one minute and thunderstorm the next, and there will be times when I have to say "Damn - need to get it on and run!"
I built a hoist with an electronic winch, very similiar to that recommended by KG07JKRubi here:
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...hard+top+hoist
It seems functional, but I'd like to think about something better...
Why, OH WHY does Jeep not put some type of connection points right into the roof to allow for easy on off?
Has anyone done a mod that puts lift points directly into the roof? I was thinking of some type of bracing on the inside, with a small u-bolt at each corner, with some RTV to keep it waterproof... paint em black and should look fine... then it would simply be a matter of backing up, hooking the chains to the lift points, and hauling it on up.
Any insight, ideas, suggestions, comments, criticisms, etc would be greatly appreciated. Hope you all have a great day!
However, I still want to be able to get it on and off, single handedly, with relative ease. With the way the weather turns here, it can be sunny one minute and thunderstorm the next, and there will be times when I have to say "Damn - need to get it on and run!"
I built a hoist with an electronic winch, very similiar to that recommended by KG07JKRubi here:
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...hard+top+hoist
It seems functional, but I'd like to think about something better...
Why, OH WHY does Jeep not put some type of connection points right into the roof to allow for easy on off?
Has anyone done a mod that puts lift points directly into the roof? I was thinking of some type of bracing on the inside, with a small u-bolt at each corner, with some RTV to keep it waterproof... paint em black and should look fine... then it would simply be a matter of backing up, hooking the chains to the lift points, and hauling it on up.
Any insight, ideas, suggestions, comments, criticisms, etc would be greatly appreciated. Hope you all have a great day!
Sounds to me like you need a soft top.
JK Jedi
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,730
Likes: 3
From: BC
You could purchase a MBRP roof rack that attaches to the hardtop...would make it very easy to remove. I have been tossing this idea around for awhile...but I have other mod's that are taking higher priority.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
It's spendy, but sure would be an awesome addition, not only for the rack features, but the hardtop removal as you mentioned.
Or you could just get a soft top for the summer months for half the cost on craigslist and raise and lower it all day if you need to. My soft top will be going on next month for the rest of the summer.
JK Junkie
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,466
Likes: 0
From: Pottstown, PA
I have seen some posts on here where people have drilled through the hardtop and installed hooks for this purpose. I'm personally not a fan of this approach as I don't like the looks of it and believe there are easier ways to get the top on/off as a one man job.
What are you finding difficult in using the hoist to lift the top on/off ? Do you have any pics of your install and maybe some suggestions for improvement/ ease of use can be made ?
What are you finding difficult in using the hoist to lift the top on/off ? Do you have any pics of your install and maybe some suggestions for improvement/ ease of use can be made ?
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Fredericksburg, VA
As far as the soft top - that may have to be an option.. in my 12 years of jeep ownership, I've never HAD a soft top.. living in california, it was "put the hard top on in the fall, take it off in the spring".
I'll get some pics posted of the rig I put together, but it won't be for a week and a half, as I'm going out of town. But I can show you all what I built, and see if you have suggestions for improvement.
All that being said - just seems like the roof should have SOME kind of built in "hook" for removal...
I'll get the pics up and once again ask for your assistance!
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 165
From: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
I agree with the other 'buy a soft top' guys. 
I see them all the time on craigslist in the $200-$300 range, many are brand new still in the packaging. And sure beats drilling holes in the hard top...
I see them all the time on craigslist in the $200-$300 range, many are brand new still in the packaging. And sure beats drilling holes in the hard top...
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JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 701
Likes: 0
From: Quebec, Montreal
Do I have this right: You have an electric hoist and it's not easy enough???
Here is my easy solution to taking the hardtop off by yourself. Cheap easy fast. Swing hooks in the ceiling joists. Put the cam cranks on the front so they are not over the glass. Leave the back glass open with the straps going between the top and glass. drive out after you disconncet the wiring and washer tube. Put the glass down and tape it while it hangs. I have mine up high enough to drive the hood under so the Jeep can still be in the garage. Buy good quality straps. If you need it easier than this you don't need a hardtop!!!
Here is my easy solution to taking the hardtop off by yourself. Cheap easy fast. Swing hooks in the ceiling joists. Put the cam cranks on the front so they are not over the glass. Leave the back glass open with the straps going between the top and glass. drive out after you disconncet the wiring and washer tube. Put the glass down and tape it while it hangs. I have mine up high enough to drive the hood under so the Jeep can still be in the garage. Buy good quality straps. If you need it easier than this you don't need a hardtop!!!
JK Freak
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 976
Likes: 1
From: Cen Cal
Do I have this right: You have an electric hoist and it's not easy enough???
Here is my easy solution to taking the hardtop off by yourself. Cheap easy fast. Swing hooks in the ceiling joists. Put the cam cranks on the front so they are not over the glass. Leave the back glass open with the straps going between the top and glass. drive out after you disconncet the wiring and washer tube. Put the glass down and tape it while it hangs. I have mine up high enough to drive the hood under so the Jeep can still be in the garage. Buy good quality straps. If you need it easier than this you don't need a hardtop!!!
Here is my easy solution to taking the hardtop off by yourself. Cheap easy fast. Swing hooks in the ceiling joists. Put the cam cranks on the front so they are not over the glass. Leave the back glass open with the straps going between the top and glass. drive out after you disconncet the wiring and washer tube. Put the glass down and tape it while it hangs. I have mine up high enough to drive the hood under so the Jeep can still be in the garage. Buy good quality straps. If you need it easier than this you don't need a hardtop!!!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Lake Orion, Michigan
I just found a garage mounted lift in costco, the brand is racor, and it's under the hardware/storage and organization/garage storage, it supports and stores up to 250#, which i am sure the hard top does not weigh that much, all in a nice little package for $100 if you are a costco member, which is a good idea anyway
Last edited by Phoenix07013; Apr 9, 2010 at 07:50 PM.