Tool / apparatus for removing soft top by myself?

[timberalex25]

hi all, I keep seeing these nifty hard top removal tools online that people use to easily remove the roof. does something exist like this for the soft top? kind of a bummer that I am required to have someone help me remove it, especially being unmarried and therefore generally not having someone around to help...

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[Lcubed]

time to make friends with your next door neighbors (and their teenage kids)!!

that turned out to extremely helpful when i had to move a pizza oven for assembly in the back yard

 

[BlueBronco]

Your best bet is to rig up a hoist to your garage ceiling if possible. I have removed my soft top a few times and, warning, it is unbalanced and awkward to handle.

 

[buck_6G]

Your best bet is to rig up a hoist to your garage ceiling if possible. I have removed my soft top a few times and, warning, it is unbalanced and awkward to handle.

This. It is so much heavier at the rear. I also STRONGLY recommend having some really durable bungee ties on hand to ensure the soft top stays compressed during storage, to avoid damage to the top mechanism but also anything you're storing nearby.

When I stored mine on the fat end, it didn't feel like the small latches that keep the mechanism open (while on the Bronco) did not feel like they were sturdy enough to handle the added stress of keeping the ST in that position in a non-flat position.

 

[timberalex25]

Your best bet is to rig up a hoist to your garage ceiling if possible. I have removed my soft top a few times and, warning, it is unbalanced and awkward to handle.

it's super heavy and awkward. I took it off a few weeks ago with help.

 

[timberalex25]

This. It is so much heavier at the rear. I also STRONGLY recommend having some really durable bungee ties on hand to ensure the soft top stays compressed during storage, to avoid damage to the top mechanism but also anything you're storing nearby.

When I stored mine on the fat end, it didn't feel like the small latches that keep the mechanism open (while on the Bronco) did not feel like they were sturdy enough to handle the added stress of keeping the ST in that position in a non-flat position.

I'll have to look into this, thanks for the recommendation. Hadn't thought about damaging the top when it's detached from the vehicle... oyyyy.

 

[buck_6G]

I'll have to look into this, thanks for the recommendation. Hadn't thought about damaging the top when it's detached from the vehicle... oyyyy.

Just remember that the OEM soft top has a frame that goes around the entire tub, whereas other soft tops may just attach to the roll bar without a frame around the tub. This makes it harder to lift and store, but if you can hang it on a wall with some sturdy hooks, you'll be fine. You just don't want the frame to be supporting itself bc it is HEAVY

 

[tofudrifter]

Someone online weighed it...88 lbs.
When i took it off and had to lift it over the spare, felt more like 100lbs. I did have help.

Here's how I store mine...collapsible L brackets

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