Min Height Required for Hoist?

[Mscdman]

I have a bronco 2-door hardtop, and I’m in desperate need of some way to store the hardtop. Right now, it is looking like a hoist is the only option.

The issue is that my garage is not very tall. I currently only have about 2 feet from the top of the bronco hardtop to the top of my garage.

Would a hoist work? Which ones are best for my scenario?

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[HoosierDaddy]

I'll bet mine is a similar height. I'll check later.
Right now I am using some home built rope hoist, it works ok.
I bought, but have yet to install my Harken Hoister.
A friend has one and loves it. One arm lift of an old Chevy Blazer hard top.... heavy!!!
His wife can use it no problems.
Pull one rope, it lifts from 4 points, equally.

https://www.amazon.com/HARKEN-Self-...0OwTRpxa_E0b7hicg2QxJdDC9ccrex6BoCmRcQAvD_BwE

 

[Mscdman]

I'll bet mine is a similar height. I'll check later.
Right now I am using some home built rope hoist, it works ok.
I bought, but have yet to install my Harken Hoister.
A friend has one and loves it. One arm lift of an old Chevy Blazer hard top.... heavy!!!
His wife can use it no problems.
Pull one rope, it lifts from 4 points, equally.

https://www.amazon.com/HARKEN-Self-...0OwTRpxa_E0b7hicg2QxJdDC9ccrex6BoCmRcQAvD_BwE

Thank you. I’d prefer an electric option if possible but that looks nice. I just know the top will NOT raise above the car. Is it okay to lift it a few inches off the truck by backing in - lift top a few inches - then pull out forward?

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Amazon link above is just for the visual.
Don't be afraid to shop around.

As an example, Harken is very well known in the boating/sailing industry.
I found an online marina/marine (authorized Harken retailer) supply store in Michigan selling the Hard top hoisters considerably cheaper than any other authorized retailer.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Is it okay to lift it a few inches off the truck by backing in - lift top a few inches - then pull out forward?

That's exactly what I do. Well, sort of ... Ican lift ALMOST clear of the roll bars.
The roll bars taper, so the more you lift, the more side clearance you gain.

Not certain we would have enough head room for electric , unless you move the power head away and use some cables and pulls.

Others will certainly chime in.

 

[Johnny Mo]

That's a 10' ceiling and a surface mounted harbor freight 800lb hoist. Using the stock pulley/snatch hook. The cradle I made from unistrut and custom tiedown hooks are another 6" or so. Leaves about 6-8" of clearance. I use additional unistrut on ceiling and threaded rod with 1x2 aluminum tubing to create a floating shelf to support / store the top once it is raised - taking pressure off the hooks but not disconnecting.

 

[holo37]

I have the harken hoist and 9 foot ceilings. Pics in the link below. The hoist would work with lower ceilings but not sure you would be able to pull into the garage and might need to back in each time.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/harken-hoist-and-first-time-topless.41766/

 

[MYNIL8R]

How about this?
Manual Lift

 

[Mscdman]

I only have 8 foot ceilings

 

[Mscdman]

On the hoist that was mentioned earlier, do the clips to attach to the top clip into the existing “gaps” in the hard top?

 

[Gonzo]

I have the SmarterHome setup. Not cheap > but can bring the rig up tight against the ceiling. I back in for placement, but just depends on your garage placement. Just have to clear the railing by a few inches, so would think low ceiling are possible!

 

[Mscdman]

I saw this smarter home option and thought it looked pretty cool. Do you have any photos? You can show of the top up against your ceiling with the rig? Also, I couldn’t tell how the rig attaches to the hard top with the smarter home option do you have any information you can share?

 

[hamburgler46]

Another option is mount on the wall and use a pulley on the ceiling. If you mount on the wall, remember that studs are not built for lateral forces and you can / will pull out the stud sideways. So you need to span multiple studs and somehow reinforce the stud at the ceiling corner so it doesn’t pull out. There’s a few pics of this type of set up on this forum.

 

[Offroadalliance]

I have a bronco 2-door hardtop, and I’m in desperate need of some way to store the hardtop. Right now, it is looking like a hoist is the only option.

The issue is that my garage is not very tall. I currently only have about 2 feet from the top of the bronco hardtop to the top of my garage.

Would a hoist work? Which ones are best for my scenario?

you only need enough room for the hoist and a couple inches to lift it off...

 

[Mscdman]

you only need enough room for the hoist and a couple inches to lift it off...

That’s what I’m thinking I’ll try. Use the smarter home one - back in - raise a few inches - pull forward - be careful not to bump top.

how do these rigs attach to the hard top?

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