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Best Roof Hoist?

TexAg98

TexAg98

Scrambler Fan
Gold Member
SOA Member
City
McKinney
State
TX
Have two hardtops for my Scrambler. Half and full. Also have a space problem in garage. Live in the burbs. Have a third stall but no extra space to store one HT when the other is on. I was thinking one of those roof hoists may help. Anyone have recommendations on the best one for an 81? I see several companies that make them but looking for the best. Not even sure if they make them to handle a full cab. Thanks in advance for the help. Gotta rearrange this third stall so I can get this Scrambler in the garage. Gotta relocate Xmas tree, refrigerator and large workbench. Like playing Tetris… 🤦‍♂️

John
 
I fabled up a hoist in my garage with a Harbor Freight boat winch, some 2x4s, eye bolts and a couple of short straps.worked well until I used it to store my kayak with it.
 
I have a hoist for an LJ top and sold the LJ. I’d be happy to take it down and figure out how to ship it to you for a reasonable amount less than anything new. You may need to modify it, but it could be a perfect start.
 
I didn't like the price or the look of any of the commercial stuff, and ended up making my own hoist assembly. I got some 1x1 square tubing and made up a double-stacked H-frame to grab the top at the door and hatch openings with some steel bicycle hooks. Then I used a regular chain hoist to pull it up into my garage rafters. The hoist itself can be whatever you want as long as the weight capacity is up to snuff. An electric hoist is probably Ideal, but I used what I had. I can get a photo or two later for visual reference.
 
How often will you be raising and lowering the hardtops?

I have one of these that I used to hold my hardtop while I was working on my jeep. It allowed me to raise and lower it by myself and position it in place pretty easily. Because the hardtop is wider than the rack, I would use a tow strap through the hard top and suspend it underneath the platform.

https://www.fleximounts.com/4x4-ft-adjustable-garage-ceiling-organization-system-gl1

I also have another hard top that I just used 4 ratcheting straps hooked to eye bolts and 2x4's to keep it suspended. It takes a while to use but it's just for long term storage so I didn't want to spend the money for a lift that will sit unused most of the time
 
ducktapeguy said:
How often will you be raising and lowering the hardtops?

I have one of these that I used to hold my hardtop while I was working on my jeep. It allowed me to raise and lower it by myself and position it in place pretty easily. Because the hardtop is wider than the rack, I would use a tow strap through the hard top and suspend it underneath the platform.

https://www.fleximounts.com/4x4-ft-adjustable-garage-ceiling-organization-system-gl1

I also have another hard top that I just used 4 ratcheting straps hooked to eye bolts and 2x4's to keep it suspended. It takes a while to use but it's just for long term storage so I didn't want to spend the money for a lift that will sit unused most of the time
Click to expand...
I have 2 of those, they work really well. One holds a small row boat.
 
Sorry for the delay, but here is a photo of the hoist frame that I built. I'm using a regular old AC Delco chain hoist. This exact one is probably no longer available, but plenty of alternatives are out there. The bike hooks have had the threads ground off, then I welded a fender washer to the end to capture it and let it rotate freely. I only use the thing about twice a year; top comes off, top goes on, so it's about as much as I need. The chain hoist I just had, the 4 bikes hooks were something like 20 bucks at Home Depot, but the tubing probably cost me about 60 bucks. >:( Welding was free, because I weld. That's that. fullhardtophoistframe.jpg
 
9T4YJ said:
Sorry for the delay, but here is a photo of the hoist frame that I built. I'm using a regular old AC Delco chain hoist. This exact one is probably no longer available, but plenty of alternatives are out there. The bike hooks have had the threads ground off, then I welded a fender washer to the end to capture it and let it rotate freely. I only use the thing about twice a year; top comes off, top goes on, so it's about as much as I need. The chain hoist I just had, the 4 bikes hooks were something like 20 bucks at Home Depot, but the tubing probably cost me about 60 bucks. >:( Welding was free, because I weld. That's that. View attachment 122815
Click to expand...
Pretty simple setup! What are the back hatch hooks connecting to? It looks like the hatch is closed. Are you able to get a pic of the back?

Thanks!

George
 
I have the hatch closed-ish with a weak bunch cord, just to keep it out of the way, but open enough for the hooks to fit.
 
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