Electric Winch for Top Hoist Removal

[BDK]

Hi,

I have a 2020 Overland with the black hard top. I would like to take the top off more frequently now that it's warmer. I have done it once with the help of my wife, and I'm not sure I would try it again. It's not heavy, but she's not that tall and it was awkward to walk it back over the bed and I was concerned she would drop it.

To resolve this I decided to get a top hoist (without spending $400-$600). After looking around, it seems very easy to fabricate something similar to the J-Bar hoist for less than $75.

For a winch I had 2 Harbor Freight options. They had a manual worm gear one for $29 and then a 120V electric Badland one for $164. With the 20% coupon I got the electric one for $138 with tax.

When going to install, there was a warning in the instructions to not to use as an overhead winch. There winch is rated at 1500 pounds. Not sure if it's more of an issue of the continuous weight on the cable when the top is hanging.

Should I worry about this for a 60 pound top? Is the worm gear one a safer bet (even though not as slick)? Anyone else recommend a better (and cheap) hoist option?

Thanks in advance.

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[LTCSlacker]

I used a Racor Garage Ceiling Storage Rack.

It allows me to store the soft top (or other stuff) on the 4x4 rack. I also ran ratchet straps with J hooks through the rack, and I use those to attach to the Jeep hardtop and just lift it up. The drill attachment for the rack allows for quick raising and lowering.

Well priced (now) at $249. I paid ~200 when I bought it a few years ago (for my 2014 Wrangler). But I repurposed it for my Gladiator.



https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009I8AO6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Factoid]

I used this one for $80.00 to lift the hard top off of my old 1961 Corvette. Worked great! I’m going to get another one for the hardtop on my JTR, as this one now powers the dumbwaiter in my lake house.

 

[Pierced_hammer]

For our JKU i use a Harken hoist and then just went to lowes and got a boat trailer winch for like 15 bucks. Its a hand crank one but works!!

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