Another question on Hardtop hoist

[Maddog B]

BigB, I appreciate your input. Would you recommend using a pulley hoist in combination with the boat winch?

 

[Bad137]

Strong vote for Harken Hoister. First bought one to store the wooden kayak I built. (Check out Chesapeake Light Craft in your spare time. Cool stuff!). I knew I would use it again for the bronco top. I use the 75-200 model into the garage roof rafters. It takes about 15 seconds and one hand to lift off the truck after I unbolt it. After it’s up, I use ratchet straps from one hoist eye to the upper rear door area, out the rear window into the other hoist eye to take the weight off the lift pulleys. This lets me drop the top right back down onto the Bronco when it’s time to reinstall.

I’d do it again in a second. Top quality, all put together and ready to go. Easy on and off and a I think four times advantage on the pulleys.

 

[AZ73]

I use a Harbor freight 440 lb electric hoist up in the rafters attached to an 8 foot 4x4 to spread the load. It lifts the top via ratchet straps, up to 4 eye bolts in the ceiling with chains and "S" hooks into 2 2x4s with eye bolts. I raise the top, attach 1 end of each 2x4 to the ceiling chains, then rotate up under the top and attach the other side to the ceiling chains.

https://www.harborfreight.com/440-lbs-electric-hoist-with-remote-control-62767.html

I used the same hoist to lift my completed body off the dolly and load it onto the frame, then to lift and hold the hood while I aligned the hinges. Best $99 I spent.

I use the Kayak lift noted in your first post for my kayaks, but it raises crooked and almost never comes down without crawling up there with a ladder and working it.

 

[BigB]

BigB, I appreciate your input. Would you recommend using a pulley hoist in combination with the boat winch?

You're welcome Maddog.

With the pulley system you linked I would be very surprised if you needed the boat winch. With all those sheaves (pulleys) the mechanical advantage is multiplied. The boat winch will also have an "eye" on the end of the wire rope which would not got through the sheaves.

I had a quick look at the link and straight away thought the rope looked like junk and would be very slippery. You also don't want a twisted strand rope in that scenario as it will get bound up. You need to make sure the rope you do get is rated for the weight. Some reviewers mentioned having to check the nuts etc as they made their way loose.

The pulley system will require a little more head room than just having a rope or wire running over some pulleys as you need to account for the 2 pulleys hanging.

I'm not saying the boat winch isn't a good idea also, just wanted to make you aware there would be tension once released.

If you had electrical close by that HF electric hoist looks like a nice clean setup as well. And nice to just push a button!

 

[BigB]

I just came across this and it is a really nice looking product and USA made by a Veteran owned company.

https://nifty-lift.com/product/the-nifty-lift-2/

The basic does not have a locking cleat. You could use the cleat I linked earlier on a post etc and use that as your brake.

They have one that has a locking cleat but is more expensive. You would need to check with them the angles at which the locking cleat releases etc and tell them your purpose as to if that model would work.

The rope in this one is also pretty thin. You could have a short piece of broom handle/dowel that you wrap the rope around 2-3 times to help you pull down. You can use that same idea with any block and tackle style system.

The nifty lift having less sheaves would take more effort to raise and lower.

 

[bbolander]

I used cam buckle straps on the four corners on mine. The cam buckle lets you release the cam while you're holding the loose end of the strap for control. Same thing when raising up. Worked fine. The hardest part was lifting or holding the top off the body enough to get the hooks under the top or removing them from the top.

When I got my first Rubicon though, my Hoist-A-Top with electric winch was so much better!

 

[Pa PITT]

I was going to say doesn't HARBOR fRIGHT SEEL A SMALL electric wench for abi=out $95.00. Before a sale comes along or with the 20% coupon.

 

[76YETI]

https://www.extremeterrain.com/hark...Vh-NkCh0vGgxzEAQYASABEgIZVfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Harken?

 

[blubuckaroo]

I have one of these Racor Lifts for storing my kayaks. I don't take the top off our Bronco, but I was thinking this lift would be perfect. There are several videos out for lifting Jeep tops. I think it's rated at 250 pounds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPP2MJLZe5E
http://www.racorstoragesolutions.com/p/detail/phl-1r?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

 

[West Tn Dawg]

I was going to say doesn't HARBOR fRIGHT SEEL A SMALL electric wench for abi=out $95.00. Before a sale comes along or with the 20% coupon.

Yep, thats what I bought but i spent $35 more and got the 880# version.