Hard Top Garage Hoist

[Mongonius]

Do any of ya'll have hoists in your garage where you can lift your top off and hang it for storage? I was thinking of how we use electric motors and cables to lift boats. Any thoughts on this? Pics? http://www.u-sav.com/garagestoraged...t_list&c=278&gclid=CLbmoMKJz5oCFQKenAodDjnv3w

 

[BRONCOchild]

This is a conversation that rears its way around here alot. You can go the "hoist" route. Surely, it would take some strenghtening of your ceiling, for any weight, but hoists seem to be the easiest way to get a top up and off your EB.

Wal-mart has some manual hoists, or rather a variety or hoists. I am thinking of going manual, but will have to configure something in my carport. Don't want the top swinging around on windy days or it just crashing down onto the parked car underneath it.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[sprdv1]

There are options out there. My director at work has one for his Heep Top, but I haven't seen it

 

[flousberg]

I just use four motorcyle straps and 4-3/8" eye bolts to the ceiling joists. Just lift each corner at a time and work your way around and get it all the way up. I do mine this way and it takes me less than an hour to take the top of and store it. I use chains once I have it in place to secure it.

 

[Mongonius]

boat lift

I was thinking of something like this..... http://www.rgcproducts.com/marine/pdfs/BH Lifts/BH_0407W.pdf but on a smaller scale.

 

[BronCowie]

This is a conversation that rears its way around here alot. You can go the "hoist" route. Surely, it would take some strenghtening of your ceiling, for any weight, but hoists seem to be the easiest way to get a top up and off your EB...

I had to resurrect this thread because I'm going to add a hoist to my garage ceiling for the top... would like some professional advice on what additional support my standard 3-bedroom house-type ceiling trusses need for this additional weight.

 

[blankenship76]

http://www.truckstuffusa.com/hoistatop.html

I think I may just get this.


As far as you house goes, you may want to go into the attic beef up which ever joist you'll be adding the weight to. OR you could just add a 2 x 6 on the ceiling securing it to three or four joist, this would stabilize it then add the pulley in the middle of the 2x6.

 

[L&D's Broncos]

Hardtop Removal system

http://www.langeoriginals.com/hoist.htm


I ordered the power lift ( garage has 14 ft ceiling) for my big garage to remove bronco top, but mostly to remove and store cover off the F-350 when we put the slide-in camper on it. Will install it this week and get pics. Good people to deal with so-far........

 

[HoosierDaddy]

For the ultimate in support , use a fairly heavy piece of lumber that spans across a few more joists than what your load measures. a 4x4 or so would be plenty sufficent for a Bronco top. Then run your eye bolts up (between joists) through the drywall and through the lumber with a big ol' nut and washer on top. That will spread the load over more joists that way.
Keep in mind that the size of your ceiling joists is the main concern. If you only have 2x4's spanning a long distance , forget about it.

As far as the hoist system , the idea I liked best that I read about here at CB , uses pulleys , and four pieces of aircraft cable that terminate to one bigger aircraft cable that is controlled by a small atv winch rated for like 1500lbs , costs about $70 for a cheepy winch. The winch was mounted to the wall at an easily workable height and powered by a car battery or jumper cables from the bronco.
Once it was winched to the ceiling , chains and eyebolts were used to lock it in , in case the lock on the winch failed.
Most guys lift the top by hand first , enough to get some two by fours under the back corners and front bed rail corners , BE SURE TO SECURE THE TOP TO THE WOOD USING SOME TYPE OF WOOD SCREW , SO THEY DON'T SLIP OFF AND CAUSE THE TOP TO FALL.

Personally , I'd use a 4x4 or two 2x4's on edge and screwed & glued together to make your own lam. beam. for under the top.

 

[ehumaui]

That was kind of my project for today. It was to get the top off the drive way to move it close to the garage to start the EFI change over.

Two trips to Home Depot and the top is on. No help from anyone except (Not my wife to scared to drive the bronco) my youngest son that help drill the supports.

Used 4' piece of unistrut and 3 ring bolts and straps. Had to readjust the straps a couple of times to get it balanced. Pulled it up in the air with the protable elect warn winch. I discovered the bronco was too tall even with the tires aired down. One last trip to HD for some lumber to make a cross brace and welllllaaaaa its on.

RC