Hard top removal & hoist questions

[Klink]

I'm going to be mounting a pittsburgh electric hoist from harbor freight under my carport. This should enable me to remove/install back shell by myself. I have few questions.
1) can you leave the factory roof rails attached (rear mounts of course) and use them to hook onto?
2) where is a good place to strap onto otherwise?
3) how many straps should I use? Was thinking 3 minimum to keep it level while lifting.(2 towards rear where all the glass is and1 dead center on the front.)
I'm really a newbie here and don't want to drop, twist or otherwise damage this mic top.
Sidenote: my wife helped me take it off last night and it was sketchy with her. She said never again.
Forgive me if this was covered. I couldn't find anything relevant in the search.

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[MayhemMike]

I used the same electric hoist. Two ten foot by two inch wide nylon straps. One two foot strap to connect all the ends of the ten foot straps. The two bungee cords keep the top from free spinning in the breeze. Takes a time or two to find a balance point. This is the top from a two door. Laying the straps flat allow the rear window to close.

 

[FlyingScot]

Topsy has free plans for a unistrut lift frame if you want to get crafty with it. Sized for the Jeep hardtop so you'd have to shorten it a bit, but I'd imagine it would work great for this application:
https://topsyproducts.com/collections/hoist-systems/products/diy

I'm (probably needlessly) concerned about introducing compressive loads into the hardtop and I don't have a ton of overhead room, so this kills two birds with one stone and will probably be my project next month.

 

[Klink]

@MayhemMike how did you attach the straps to the top? Can't tell from the pic. Are they completely wrapped around underneath of it?

 

[thatspecialbeat]

Topsy has free plans for a unistrut lift frame if you want to get crafty with it. Sized for the Jeep hardtop so you'd have to shorten it a bit, but I'd imagine it would work great for this application:
https://topsyproducts.com/collections/hoist-systems/products/diy

I'm (probably needlessly) concerned about introducing compressive loads into the hardtop and I don't have a ton of overhead room, so this kills two birds with one stone and will probably be my project next month.

I was a bit worried about that. I am actually going to do a lift install this weekend and probably will just run the strap without a frame.

But I am going to set it down on a cart and not keep it stored on the lift.

 

[MayhemMike]

@MayhemMike how did you attach the straps to the top? Can't tell from the pic. Are they completely wrapped around underneath of it?

Underneath all the way.

 

[swami37]

2 inch x 12 foot straps
one 3/4 inch shackle

 

[FstFrd00]

 

[Klink]

I see. It will fit between the back glass and the top. I was thinking the other way and it would squeeze the sides in. You guys were a great help. Thanks!

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