Electric Hardtop Hoist

Speedy_RCW

Hooked
Been working on a hoist to pull and store my JKU hardtop. Wanted it to be something easy to run solo and also not take up too much room. I have a standard 9' ceiling in my garage so I also wanted to get it as high up as I could. I'm a short fucker but still wanted it up so it could be walked under. Here's what I have going so far.

I built the frame out of 1-1/2" .095 wall square tubing. I put tabs on the ends so the D-rings couldn't slide off.

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I initially made this T-strap but found that if the straps weren't exactly the correct length the top wouldn't hoist level without a lot of manipulation of the frame. I ended up just using a single ratchet strap instead.

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These are the D-rings I used. They are way overkill but it's what I already had laying around.

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I mounted an electric hoist with pendant in the attic and used a 4" ABS fitting to run the cable through the ceiling to make it look cleaner. I double lined the hoist so it would lift the top slower thus smoother and more controlled. I had to space it up in the attic so I used 4x4's beneath the unistrut. I went across 4 ceiling joists even though the top is light I may want to use the hoist for other purposes as well.

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Here is my test run to find the CG so I could weld on the lifting point. Rags were temporary padding.

https://youtu.be/HYZtU6s3j_8

Instead of welding the lifting point on, I opted to build a bolted connection. Figured that was best in case I didn't get the position correct or ever wanted to lift the top with glass both closed and open requiring me to adjust the lifting point.

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Painted everything up and added pipe insulation for padding. Dunno if I like the padding but it'll work for now.

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This is how it will sit when not in use.

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I've only used it to put the jeep top back on since we had rain on the horizon so I don't have a full top removal video or pics. We're traveling now but once I get back I have to mount eye-bolts in the ceiling joists and I'll use jack chain to hold the top up. I want a little more safety that relying on the hoist brake to hold the top suspended. Especially since I'll basically be parking the jeep underneath it.


I also need to install an outlet in the attic for the power connection. For now I have the cord dropped out the same hole as the wire rope and just plug it in to an extension cord.




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Last edited:

sipafz

Caught the Bug
Been working on a hoist to pull and store my JKU hardtop. Wanted it to be something easy to run solo and also not take up too much room. I have a standard 9' ceiling in my garage so I also wanted to get it as high up as I could. I'm a short fucker but still wanted it up so it could be walked under. Here's what I have going so far...

Nice work! Looks like you could still add some expanded metal or wire fence to make a platform on top of the "T" so you can store your freedom panels or other random items when not in use.
 

Speedy_RCW

Hooked
Nice work! Looks like you could still add some expanded metal or wire fence to make a platform on top of the "T" so you can store your freedom panels or other random items when not in use.

That's a possibility down the road. The panels don't really get in my way when they're off though. I just put em in the bag and set it off to the side. But I did think of that.

I hope you don't mind but I moved this into the write-up section. Nice job!

Thanks Eddie. Sorry, I didn't really know where it belonged. Thanks for moving it.


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sm31

Active Member
Sorry for the really late reply! Just found this...

What kind of electric hoist did you use? Are you happy with it? Thanks!
 

Speedy_RCW

Hooked
Sorry for the really late reply! Just found this...

What kind of electric hoist did you use? Are you happy with it? Thanks!

It’s a 440lb capacity hoist from Harbor Freight. I don’t have anything bad to say about it. I haven’t had any issues. But it IS a Harbor Freight hoist so I don’t trust the brake to hold the top up. I put eye-bolts in the ceiling that I attach the frame to once the top is hoisted up.


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MericaMade

Active Member
It’s a 440lb capacity hoist from Harbor Freight. I don’t have anything bad to say about it. I haven’t had any issues. But it IS a Harbor Freight hoist so I don’t trust the brake to hold the top up. I put eye-bolts in the ceiling that I attach the frame to once the top is hoisted up.


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Dude thats awesome. I use the same HF hoist for my 300 pound 5th wheel hitch and hasent faild me yet. Gotten about 50 lifts with it, but every time I go to use it I say hope this isn't the last LOL. I been ponder this ideas for my top. Thank you and great job!!!

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Speedy_RCW

Hooked
Dude thats awesome. I use the same HF hoist for my 300 pound 5th wheel hitch and hasent faild me yet. Gotten about 50 lifts with it, but every time I go to use it I say hope this isn't the last LOL. I been ponder this ideas for my top. Thank you and great job!!!

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Thanks. Yea I was skeptical about the HF hoist especially being mounted in my attic that gets blistering hot. But figure it’s cheap enough to replace if it does fail.


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fiend

Caught the Bug
I made an electric hoist using a harbor freight winch. Other than leaking a little oil, the winch has been fine. But it is a little too fast and also abrupt in starting and stopping. The hardtop isn’t that heavy, so you really don’t need a winch. It works but if I were to do it again, I’d forgo the electric winch part and just make a simple mechanical advantage system with ropes and pullies.


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rubiDave

Active Member
I made an electric hoist using a harbor freight winch. Other than leaking a little oil, the winch has been fine. But it is a little too fast and also abrupt in starting and stopping. The hardtop isn’t that heavy, so you really don’t need a winch. It works but if I were to do it again, I’d forgo the electric winch part and just make a simple mechanical advantage system with ropes and pullies.


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Did you rig it as a direct lift? I'm using the same but rigged 2:1 and the speed seems about perfect.

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