SmarterHome Smart Garage Bronco Hoist

[Wolfeman]

Thanks this is helpful. I am trying to decide as I need to navigate between an I beam and light and having trouble finding hard top clamshell length specs.

should have mentioned. I pick up my bronco next week so can’t really measure yet.

thanks again.

For reference, my garage ceiling is about 9.5 feet tall.

Sponsored

 

[GOAT]

Whoops, I had pasted wrong link. Here is correct lower price

https://thegarageoutfitter.com/prod...rd-top-lifter?_pos=1&_psq=bronco&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Damn that would have saved me $225 had I known about that site. If I return it now I would lose the $98 I spent on shipping and have to pay for the return shipping back so by then it would almost be a wash.

 

[Gjpe04]

For reference, my garage ceiling is about 9.5 feet tall.

Curious, you ever use the lift to just store the top panels And not the back top? Not sure how the mid panel would work but at least the front panels in the net hoisted up?

 

[Wolfeman]

Curious, you ever use the lift to just store the top panels And not the back top? Not sure how the mid panel would work but at least the front panels in the net hoisted up?

I almost always throw the front panels in the office in my home. It's the one room that never gets used and it's just easier to walk them in there and lay them against the wall vs putting them in the net that comes with the hard top lifter.

 

[OHBronco]

Curious, you ever use the lift to just store the top panels And not the back top? Not sure how the mid panel would work but at least the front panels in the net hoisted up?

This would take some experimenting to get the load balanced if you were just storing the panels. I just installed this system a few weeks ago and for me balancning the frame was the most frustrating part of the install. Every move you make changes the balance. If the back window is up/down, front panels in/out (the instructions say to put the top panes in the net AFTER removing the top...good luck with that!) and when the frame is raised for storage it's so off balanced that the front of the frame hangs lower than the hard top when it is being stored. I would have returned this for another option but Smarter Home doesn't allow any returns once you install the unit so think hard before going with this.

If you do go with this lift I have a couple tips that may help you out. Have something to protect your rear roll bars at least the first few times you remove and install the top to prevent scratches. I use 3" painters tape and just leave it on under the top and you can barely notice it.

When you are not storing the hard top the frame is off balanced and the front hangs lower than the hard top when it is being stored. I use a couple of bungees to raise the frame up and out of the way and hang the net across the back of the frame.

 

[Gjpe04]

Love these tips. I do have it up a running now and find the tweaking for balance a constant experiment but think I have it now. The only thing I really struggle with is getting the front panels into the cargo net. They don’t seem to fit well. I did just notice a video on here that had the front bar a little more shorter then mine. I wonder if that helps that net sit better? Mine had had an angle and the one I saw in here was almost showed the straps going straight down so I am going to shorten my front bar and see it that helps.

also, i am not very skilled at the flipping the middle section on to the top. i think I need help with that or will need a chiropractor soon.

 

[ralphy1798]

Could somebody post the correct position for the pulley, ie: which holes to use. I contacted support and they say to level it and reposition the pulley after it is hooked up. Appreciate the help.

Here you go.

Two pins should always be on the end of the smaller inner rail and the outer thicker rail. You only adjust the two pins for the pulleys.....

The placement of the pulley pins is shown for when the top is not on the lifter. The Red circles are where it needs to be when the top is attached and lifted to make it level. I used the included stickers they provided, I had no idea what they were for

Pictures below for results as well!

 

[ralphy1798]

Did anyone figure out what these small black screws are for? I cant find them used in any of the videos for any of their products and there's a TON of them!

 

[mbdlds]

Did anyone figure out what these small black screws are for? I cant find them used in any of the videos for any of their products and there's a TON of them!

I wondered the same thing. I think they are for if you need to buy more ceiling mount bars (can't remember what the manual called them). The same screws were used to attach a red piece that looked like you could use to attach 2 of the ceiling mounts together to extend the rail.

 

[Kfcflores]

Installed my lift today. Super happy with it. I don't have the mid panel on right now. Was just testing to make sure I had plenty clearance to still back in. I won't put the two panels in the netting though. Easier to just throw them in a spare closet.

 

[C6ZZGT]

Installed mine this week. Agree, direction were an after thought, not helpful, and install videos are all Jeeps. But concept is solid and after a couple adjustments it works as intended. Pool noodle works well to protect front of hard top.

I’ve had mine for a few months. The frame and instructions definitely did not match up. I adjusted it as small as it would go and things work well. No issue with missing pieces.

What ceiling height do you guys have ?

 

[TNTACO]

For those that are going the home brew route, one idea to give you more height would be to mount the winch on the wall and use (2) pulleys to get the cable where you need it. One on the ceiling above where the winch is mounted and one above the area you want to lift. I see a lot of pics posted with people that have higher garage ceiling heights. I am not so lucky so I may have to improvise. I am waiting until my Wildtrak is here before doing anything, but this is what I am currently thinking. Just my two cents.

 

[Johnny Mo]

For those that are going the home brew route, one idea to give you more height would be to mount the winch on the wall and use (2) pulleys to get the cable where you need it. One on the ceiling above where the winch is mounted and one above the area you want to lift. I see a lot of pics posted with people that have higher garage ceiling heights. I am not so lucky so I may have to improvise. I am waiting until my Wildtrak is here before doing anything, but this is what I am currently thinking. Just my two cents.

Yeah not a bad idea and given the light weight of the top (in relation to the overall winch capacity) it shouldn't create an issue. I have 10' ceilings and it gave me enough clearance to drive under the suspended top and even create a floating shelf to support the top so I can take the pressure off the pick points.

Sponsored