Hard top hoist with 2 contact points (pics)

[niterider006]

I used a 24” piece of unistrut to mount the hoist. You might need a longer piece depending on the spacing of your joists.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Superst...Channel-Silver-Galvanized-ZA12HS2EG/205328679

This is the hoist.

Partsam 440Lbs Lift Electric Hoist Crane Remote Control Power System, 110V Electric Hoist Zinc-Plated Steel Wire Overhead Crane Garage Ceiling Pulley Winch w/Straps (w/Emergency Stop Switch) https://a.co/d/6xhFPtv

This is the strap.

https://www.customtiedowns.com/prod...length=0&webbing=cw2k-g12pe&catlist=1&store=1

I put some felt tape on the strap hooks but you could plastidip them too.

Once the top is lifted , I throw 2 tie downs on that go under the top as a back up support and those attach to screw in eye bolts in the joists.

I’m thinking about cutting a couple 2x4’s a little wider than the top and put eyebolts through the ends of those and then just hooking the straps to them so the top is sitting on the 2x4’s. That will better distribute the weight and would be like the top is sitting on the ground.

I’ve had my top suspended from just the hoist hooks for 2 months with the middle section of the top laying on top (with a moving blanket between them) and lowered it down yesterday to check and everything on the top looks fine.

Appreciate the long term testing! I wonder if Ford did any testing on their own with hoisting.

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[ColonelAngus]

Really loving this solution. Only thing I think I will change is dipping the flat hooks vs a stick on solution. Is there a decent amount of clearance to work with where the hooks meet the rack mounts?

 

[darinhouston]

Really loving this solution. Only thing I think I will change is dipping the flat hooks vs a stick on solution. Is there a decent amount of clearance to work with where the hooks meet the rack mounts?

I also wish there were 3-4" wide hooks

 

[TXBrian]

Really loving this solution. Only thing I think I will change is dipping the flat hooks vs a stick on solution. Is there a decent amount of clearance to work with where the hooks meet the rack mounts?

I believe there is enough room to dip them. Not a lot of the metal makes actual contact on the outer part of the top. Snapped a pic to show it.

 

[darinhouston]

I think the interest is in the part that’s inserted. Looks like a pretty snug fit.

 

[Mpatient1]

Any photos of the install and lifting the top?

OK, not the most polished setup, but cheap and works for me

couple lag bolts into the joist to a D ring.

Yoga block to keep the hooks in place until I could get under the hoist.

off kilter a bit but it's not going anywhere before I can lower it to the support. I do need to put something on the tie down webbing though as a stop, just in case it tips too far and tries to flip sideways.

wheeled my rack under and lowered it onto my shelf

Definitely room for improvement but it's a starting point

 

[RyanP]

OK, not the most polished setup, but cheap and works for me

couple lag bolts into the joist to a D ring.

Yoga block to keep the hooks in place until I could get under the hoist.

off kilter a bit but it's not going anywhere before I can lower it to the support. I do need to put something on the tie down webbing though as a stop, just in case it tips too far and tries to flip sideways.

wheeled my rack under and lowered it onto my shelf

Definitely room for improvement but it's a starting point

Well done. Great problem solving and creativity.

 

[darinhouston]

Those hooks look coated with something. Which ones are they?

 

[userdude]

I was going ask about lowering it after removal onto two ladders (or a roller rack, or something tallish but stable) to take the pressure off the outer edge of accessory slots, while still making it easy to maneuver. I assume that's less stress than leaving it hanging by the hooks (my physics is lousy).

 

[darinhouston]

I don’t remember where all I’ve posted this but my idea is to set the back on a wall-mounted shelf (about 12-16 inches) and bolt to it.

 

[E. J]

I'm confused - I talked with Lange about an option that only held up the main body and they said they didn't have one. Do you have link to that version?

This what you wanted to see? I was curious about the Lange Original lift as well.

https://langeoriginals.com/products...-mic-hoist-a-top-power-hardtop-removal-system

 

[darinhouston]

This what you wanted to see? I was curious about the Lange Original lift as well.

https://langeoriginals.com/products...-mic-hoist-a-top-power-hardtop-removal-system

No, that's the one they currently sell that requires the mid-panel to be in place - the post I was inquiring about showed what looks like a different Lange design that only supports the main top. The link you shared above does have a photo that seems to show something like this, but when you zoom in on it, it looks like a mockup. I don't like the idea of supporting the mid-panel that way even if it's barely any load. It doesn't take much mis-alignment for even a very slight load to put a tremendous torsional stress on the connections between the main top and the mid-panel. They say it's well tested, but as an engineer, I don't trust my top to it.

 

[Bruno]

What are those slots intended for?
Roof rack?

If yes, the pressure is intended to go the opposite direction

Hanging the top from those slots might cause separation.??

 

[TXBrian]

What are those slots intended for?
Roof rack?

If yes, the pressure is intended to go the opposite direction

Hanging the top from those slots might cause separation.??

Nobody really knows for sure. They are re-enforced and "designed" for the roof racks. The roof racks are rated for something like 300lbs so I don't think lifting 68lbs (34lbs split across the 2 sides) is going to be much of an issue.

I'd love to see how the factory handles installing the tops.

 

[Bruno]

Everyone seems to agree that using the "lift points" are ok for lifting, but not all agree it's safe for storage - the loads and torque on those areas are significant and not to design requirements. So, what about a wall bracket like a shelf that had pegs to align with the alignment pin and the first two bolt holes from the rear - hoist with a simple flat hook on a pully and then set the back end down on that shelf - then suspend the front from static wires/hooks hanging from the ceiling at the front mounting straps. No strange loads at all.

I've seen door storage like that.

Why are people calling these " Lift Points / Slots " - I think they are for putting a roof rack on which would have pressure going the opposite direction!
They look more like " Rack Slots " which were never engineered to be used to lift.

*Maybe ok for a 5 minute list, but I personally would not store with those points/slots

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