DIY wireless electric hoist

[xdvgx]

I am building a DIY lift for the rear section of the hardtop, as I didn't like existing solutions on the market (both I found were expensive, one puts unintended forces on the mid panel latches and the other would become a brick if the app is no longer supported)

This is cheaper, but not significantly so. What's more important to me is fixing the flaws I saw with the current solutions on the market.

The plan is to lift using four universal u-clip straps tucked under the roof panel ridge. These will be tied to eachother width wise across the roof, with a hole-punched square tube in the middle. The square tube will be permanently connected to an electric hoist on the ceiling, will run cable through two eye bolts on the square tube. The hoist will be used in pulley config to reduce the speed and increase the weight capacity

I chose to use the clips under the roof as this puts no force on any of the gaskets, a concern I had with some of the other options on the market.

Part list so far:

Pipe insulation for the square tubing - 50mm diameter matches outside perimeter. Https://a.co/d/3zmDFtC

roof straps (also allows you to in fasten to roof without roof rack) https://a.co/d/eowxHLH

Electric hoist: https://a.co/d/6LxgYvb

caps for square tube:
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mrtaHVm

Square tube: https://www.lowes.ca/product/round-...nc-plated-steel-perforated-square-tube-103637

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[xdvgx]

Any tips or prior experience will be appreciated, I will update thread as I make progress

 

[adamruiz2001]

Seems like a pretty solid idea! Will keep an eye out for progress pics

 

[Mikey D]

I'm thinking something similar. Keep us posted.

 

[dcox90]

I am building a DIY lift for the rear section of the hardtop, as I didn't like existing solutions on the market (both I found were expensive, one puts unintended forces on the mid panel latches and the other would become a brick if the app is no longer supported)

This is cheaper, but not significantly so. What's more important to me is fixing the flaws I saw with the current solutions on the market.

The plan is to lift using four universal u-clip straps tucked under the roof panel ridge. These will be tied to eachother width wise across the roof, with a hole-punched square tube in the middle. The square tube will be permanently connected to an electric hoist on the ceiling, will run cable through two eye bolts on the square tube. The hoist will be used in pulley config to reduce the speed and increase the weight capacity

I chose to use the clips under the roof as this puts no force on any of the gaskets, a concern I had with some of the other options on the market.

Part list so far:

Pipe insulation for the square tubing - 50mm diameter matches outside perimeter. Https://a.co/d/3zmDFtC

roof straps (also allows you to in fasten to roof without roof rack) https://a.co/d/eowxHLH

Electric hoist: https://a.co/d/6LxgYvb

caps for square tube:
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mrtaHVm

Square tube: https://www.lowes.ca/product/round-...nc-plated-steel-perforated-square-tube-103637

Any update on how this worked out? Particularly interested in how those hooks worked.

 

[xdvgx]

Probably won't be working on this until next spring as I don't want to go topless in the winter. I can tell the hooks are very secure, my only worry is them sliding around. The strap will need to be quite tight and the middle of strap should have something to lock it's position along the tube

 

[Mikey D]

Might have found a hook that fits into lift point.

4 in. x 50 ft. Winch Strap with Flat Hook (myteeproducts.com)

 

[Johnny Mo]

I was planning on using strut bar U channels to make a rack - pool noodles or pipe insulation as padding and then tow straps to lift - with a Pittspurgh Hoist in the ceiling. But I'm intrigued and following.

 

[GreyZ]

Is the roof designed to be lifted from that lip like that?

 

[Mikey D]

Is the roof designed to be lifted from that lip like that?

BRONCO TOP HOIST | FORD BRONCO MIC HOIST A TOP POWER HARDTOP REMOVAL S – Lange Originals

Check out the lift from Lange. and I quote,

" Hoist-A-Top Hardtop Lifting Brackets literally do all the lifting! Lifting Brackets slip in easily and lift from the reinforced rack slot on your Bronco Hardtop. Rubber coating protects your top. Closing your rear window when you lift, saves valuable room on your ceiling."

 

[xdvgx]

Is the roof designed to be lifted from that lip like that?

The roof weighs 70 lbs, the force on each corner is very small. I'm sure there is more lifting force from a kayak or luggage shell on the oe roof rack

 

[Fly]

The roof weighs 70 lbs, the force on each corner is very small. I'm sure there is more lifting force from a kayak or luggage shell on the oe roof rack

Any updates using those straps/hooks? Any trouble with them sliding around or pulling out when lifting?

 

[xdvgx]

Unfortunately not, I tried to install last year but couldn't find a roofing member behind the drywall strapping on my garage ceiling. I'm going to take another crack at it this year with the hoist in a static location instead of a trolley, though I'm not sure if I will stick with the hook idea

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