"Homemade" hard top lift tips!

[71to21-2DR]

Thanks!
I got the pull-rope style Straps with the clicking locks, and then you tie it off, they move quickly
So I see now feed the front,
Under-over weaving. Got it!
Will keep you posted!

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[Dadsquatch]

Got my electric hoist setup complete for my 4-door hardtop. Really happy with how it all turned out. The hoist is from Harbor Freight and is the 440lb capacity one. The tow straps are 1”x8’, and work just fine and rated accordingly. I may switch to 7’ length to try to pick up a few more inches in height. I also added a separate safety strap & hook in the rare case the hoist were to fail and drop the load (it’s the thicker yellow strap at the top). The cross bar you see pictured was critical to help keep the load distributed evenly and level. I also added a couple black bungees as guy wires to help keep it from wanting to turn/spin, which were also critical.

Let me know if anyone has anymore specific questions on my setup.

 

[Fly]

Anyone have ideas for a low ceiling? I have 18” between the top of the hardtop and the ceiling. No way to mount above ceiling since that’s our living room. I’d imagine a pulley system of sorts with a rigid spanner bar connecting to the roof rack points (less slack compared to using straps)? It is a 2dr for reference, so slightly bigger than the 4dr.

 

[pdilecce]

cmcbronco

was thinking of using a spreader bar to your design, any thoughts?

 

[cr25]

cmcbronco

was thinking of using a spreader bar to your design, any thoughts?

Good idea - I'm going to try it ($9 on Amazon now). I like the idea of spreading out the straps to get a bit more stability. Fantastic ideas in this (old) thread. I have my lift working and all for under $200.

 

[pdilecce]

I have the hoist and the straps ready to go. Have not installed it yet because it's so hot in my Florida garage.

 

[los7883]

I just finished mine yesterday. Just waiting for my lifting straps to come in and I’ll test it out. I went with the harbor freight pulley system (non-electric of course), can hoist up to 440lbs so should be plenty strong. If i were to mount the pulley system vertically I would lose about 8” just for the pulleys, and with my low ceiling I need all I can get. By mounting it horizontally with another pulley right above the hardtop that will allow me to bring the top of the lift ring around 3” from the ceiling.

 

[cmcbronco]

cmcbronco

was thinking of using a spreader bar to your design, any thoughts?

I apologize for not gettin back to ya I’m
Not on here a lot anymore. Probably wouldn’t be a bad idea. But once you master the balance point it goes pretty quick.

 

[Betty_Bloop]

Got my electric hoist setup complete for my 4-door hardtop. Really happy with how it all turned out. The hoist is from Harbor Freight and is the 440lb capacity one. The tow straps are 1”x8’, and work just fine and rated accordingly. I may switch to 7’ length to try to pick up a few more inches in height. I also added a separate safety strap & hook in the rare case the hoist were to fail and drop the load (it’s the thicker yellow strap at the top). The cross bar you see pictured was critical to help keep the load distributed evenly and level. I also added a couple black bungees as guy wires to help keep it from wanting to turn/spin, which were also critical.

Let me know if anyone has anymore specific questions on my setup.

Do you see any issues with storing the rear row panel on top of the hardtop and lifting both of them together?

 

[Dadsquatch]

Do you see any issues with storing the rear row panel on top of the hardtop and lifting both of them together?

No. It would be totally fine. I bought a storage bag for my middle panel, so just use that and lean it up against a wall in my garage, so I have no need to put the panel on top.

 

[nkopane]

Similar setup to many of these, but i mounted the hoist on the wall to save space. For the 4-door the straps that came with the hoist (same as OP) were sufficient.

 

[Azpuck]

Similar setup to many of these, but i mounted the hoist on the wall to save space. For the 4-door the straps that came with the hoist (same as OP) were sufficient.

Has anyone tried flat hooks in roof rack slots?

 

[Fly]

Has anyone tried flat hooks in roof rack slots?

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/hard-top-hoist-with-2-contact-points-pics.62956/

 

[JustinsOBXbronco]

Just wanted to share my experience I had with installing my “homemade” hard top hoist. I ran into a few problems so I thought id make a short thread to help others who have the same agenda as me. A somewhat cheap lift that’s quick and easy.

i ordered an $80 electric Hoist on amazon and a couple 10’ Straps for $30. The rest of the stuff I used I had laying around my shop at work.

i originally mounted it on the ceiling of my garage. It would have worked fine but it was too low for my liking. I wanted my bronco to easily fit underneath with no worries about hitting The top when I backed in so I ended up mounting it in the attic. It gave me the height I needed and looked cleaner as well.

my main point of this thread is the lifting part. With a single point lift like this it’s critical that you find the balance point of the top. I found out the hard way the first time I lifted the top off lol. It was all over the place. I attached some pictures to show the balance point of the two door top. I’m sure the four door will be different.

in the end it all worked out great. I’ve practiced a couple times and It takes about 20 min are so to remove the top. Im sure I’ll cut that time down once get more accustomed to the system. Reinstalling is fairly simple as well. I don’t even have to really worry about getting the bronco perfectly centered as there’s plenty of swing with the lift set up the way it is. I just lower slowly and line the pins up and it falls right Into place.

anyway I hope this helps anyone hoping to have a nice lift and not spend $500-$600. It’s fairly simple but hey it works! And for about $100 you can’t beat it.

For the metal piece that the hoist is attached to, is that connected to one stud or several studs? My studs run horizontal in the garage so if I were to mimic this setup it would be connected to one individual stud. Not sure if that is enough or not

 

[cmcbronco]

For the metal piece that the hoist is attached to, is that connected to one stud or several studs? My studs run horizontal in the garage so if I were to mimic this setup it would be connected to one individual stud. Not sure if that is enough or not

I can try to get some better pictures if you want but I have 2x4 spanning between the roof trusses. I’m not sure I would hang the top from one stud.

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