Garage Hardtop Lift & Storage Installed (Bluetooth App Operated)

[NJRoadkill]

I’m not going to lie for one second, this job was a pain in the ass! Of course I picked the two hottest days to work in the peak of a garage. I did have to add structure and additional framing to support the static & dynamic loads.

The lift was designed for JK/JLs, so their directions and videos are a bit of an afterthought for the Bronco. They point you in the direction, but you’ll need to fine tune it from there.

2 days and 10 gallons of water later!

Overall solid product, albeit a bit overpriced IMO. I also had to pay a large amount of shipping & tax on top of it. I’ve ordered much heavier items without shipping cost.

The pros. It is well designed, built, compact, & functions very efficiently using the Bluetooth connected app.

edited by OP

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[SavSqch]

This is so awesome! Great job! Man I’m so jealous of all you that have your rides built and delivered. I can’t wait get doing tinkering etc in my garage to accommodate mine when it comes.

great job OP

 

[jumper]

I just ordered this yesterday. Yeah, expensive and the shipping is annoying. However, it does look like the best solution.

 

[NJRoadkill]

I just ordered this yesterday. Yeah, expensive and the shipping is annoying. However, it does look like the best solution.

I can’t take any points away for function. It works great! Once set up and fine tuned. It was very easy to remove the top. And storing it above is just awesome. I can raise it to the peak, so it could be higher then shown. I just haven’t yet.

if you run into any issues, dm me.

 

[Bonnie6G]

I’m not going to lie for one second, this job was a pain in the ass! Of course I picked the two hottest days to work in the peak of a garage. I did have to add structure and additional framing to support the static & dynamic loads.

The lift was designed for JK/JLs, so their directions and videos are an afterthought. They point you in the direction, but you’ll need to fine tune it from there.

2 days and 10 gallons of water later!

(I’m not going to give them a “shout out.” You’ll figure out the brand if you want. And the price is on their website.

Although overall solid, I feel the product was overpriced and I had to pay a large amount of shipping on top of it. I’ve ordered much heavier items without shipping cost.

The directions and videos are not well though out and are primarily geared toward a Jeep. Although they’re now touting it for use on the Bronco, no design changes were made. There’s no guidance for a 2D install. The balance points they instruct to use are not ideal. I had to reposition the strut which added more work because I’m working in tight tolerances and 1.5” makes a difference.

Finally, it’s “designed” in the US but manufactured in China. I didn’t catch that, and may have detoured me from buying it at all. That’s my bad)

I’m going to be installing this myself in the next few weekends. I have some bare rafters to tie into, but as they are not perfectly centered with the bay itself, I figured some 2x4s run across them would give me the side-to-side freedom for mounting position.

 

[MayhemMike]

I just went with an electric hoist and some ten foot nylon hoist straps. The bungee cords keep it from free swinging in the breeze.

 

[brian0173]

Bought one as well a few weeks ago since it would work with both our temporary Jeep and the Bronco ( whenever that arrives ).. Was pricey but found the exact same one at another retailer that has free shipping and gives discounts. Longest part of install is finding your studs. Rest is a piece of cake. Makes taking any top on and off extremely easy. Only thing i didnt like is figuring out the strap length to make sure top would store balanced. But this may be a jeep issue since the Bronco has once less roof panel to make it shorter in length.

https://thegarageoutfitter.com/products/garage-smart-jeep-hard-top-lifter

 

[NJRoadkill]

Bought one as well a few weeks ago since it would work with both our temporary Jeep and the Bronco ( whenever that arrives ).. Was pricey but found the exact same one at another retailer that has free shipping and gives discounts. Longest part of install is finding your studs. Rest is a piece of cake. Makes taking any top on and off extremely easy. Only thing i didnt like is figuring out the strap length to make sure top would store balanced. But this may be a jeep issue since the Bronco has once less roof panel to make it shorter in length.

https://thegarageoutfitter.com/products/garage-smart-jeep-hard-top-lifter

Thanks for the link/heads up up. Too late for me, but hope it helps others. Same base price but w/ the discount and free shipping, that’s not a bad price!

The strap, balancing act sounds to be the same. On the 2D the buckles are in a unfortunate location. over time and use, I’m sure the process will become easier. Overall, I’m happy with the product and install. It’s clean and nice to have the variable control.

 

[Djstang2011]

Harken Hoister, easy one person operation.
front panels are in their storage bag on top of the roof.

Takes about 10 minutes to take off or put on by myself.

 

[Wolfeman]

I really like my Smarter Home Hard Top Lifter.

 

[Drab13]

I just went with an electric hoist and some ten foot nylon hoist straps. The bungee cords keep it from free swinging in the breeze.

I just went with an electric hoist and some ten foot nylon hoist straps. The bungee cords keep it from free swinging in the breeze.


I did the same thing. Cost about $150 bucks total and can’t believe the prices people are paying for the top removal kits.

 

[newclubfront]

Finally a post with something besides "look at the bigger tires I put on my bronco".

 

[Busterbronco1]

I’m not going to lie for one second, this job was a pain in the ass! Of course I picked the two hottest days to work in the peak of a garage. I did have to add structure and additional framing to support the static & dynamic loads.

The lift was designed for JK/JLs, so their directions and videos are a bit of an afterthought for the Bronco. They point you in the direction, but you’ll need to fine tune it from there.

2 days and 10 gallons of water later!

Overall solid product, albeit a bit overpriced IMO. I also had to pay a large amount of shipping & tax on top of it. I’ve ordered much heavier items without shipping cost.

The pros. It is well designed, built, compact, & functions very efficiently using the Bluetooth connected app.

edited by OP

I would love to get the plans for that rigging rack set up. I have a winch i am going to install and am currently mulling though ideas for making one that keeps low profile like that so i can get the roof up closer to the 10' garage ceiling.

 

[RockSkipper]

Nicely done.
Ethan Hunt would be pleased!

 

[Johnny Mo]

Picked up a Harbor Freight garage hoist (880lbs) with wired remote, gonna use some hvac strut bars to make a jig similar to the one from the OP. Haven't decided if I need to recess my hoist into the rafters yet, probably won't know until the beast arrives.

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