Hard top hoist

[Schlap]

I spent a bit of time last year figuring out how to get the top off of a 97 TJ (converted to an AEV Brute). The lifts available wont work with this top because they’re designed to hoist a top that has back glass that lifts up.
I bought a boat-trailer winch & several eye-hooks, installed them and ran pieces of string to figure out how long my cables needed to be. I bought 1/8” cable and ran it through the eyes. I bought an oak 1x4 and installed an eye on each end to use to lift the back and I bought another and installed eyes to lift the front.
I put it all together and it works like a champ. All for less than $50.
Just in case anyone wants to do a DIY hoist.

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[Schlap]

Here’s one with the Brute

 

[Riddler]

Dear god, that brute is gorgeous!

 

[DMoney]

I did a similar thing for my Yakama roof rack so I can easily take it off when I am not using it. I just don't have all the pully stuff and drop it on my car myself. It has saved me alot of pain, lot easier just lifting or dropping 4 inches instead of from the ground to the roof of my SUV.
Probably to convert it to fit the JT top when time comes

 

[JP1]

Dear god, that brute is gorgeous!

ya, you can't do that.
GIVE US MORE!!!

FEED ME!!!


k, I'm goin to bed.

 

[Schlap]

Dear god, that brute is gorgeous!

Thank you. I bought the Jeep used in 2000, drove it for 7+ years, loaned it to my 4 nephews in CA for their Jr & Sr years of high school, then got it back in 2015 in rough shape. I wanted to get it refurbished but while I was spending the $ I decided to spend extra and end up with a collectors item. It turned out great! Tom at Tom’s 4x4 Superstore in Chattanooga is an AEV dealer and had built one for himself several years earlier so he knew exactly how to do it right.
I need to upgrade the motor when I have an extra $10k. The original 4.0 just doesn’t have enough hp to maintain the speed on an incline.
I’m planning to order a Gladiator Thursday so the motor will have to wait.

 

[Schlap]

ya, you can't do that.
GIVE US MORE!!!

FEED ME!!!


k, I'm goin to bed.

These are all I have on my phone right now. I’ll take more next chance I get and post them.

 

[Schlap]

Pre-conversion, just after it came back from CA.

 

[steffen707]

These are all I have on my phone right now. I’ll take more next chance I get and post them.

that Brute is a beaut!

 

[Joe333x]

From my understanding the gladiator only has freedom panel top not a full hard top option, is that not correct? If it is then you won't be needing anything to help lift the top off.

 

[Skyler7381]

From my understanding the gladiator only has freedom panel top not a full hard top option, is that not correct? If it is then you won't be needing anything to help lift the top off.

I'm pretty positive it has a full hardtop, like a Wrangler but without the last row.

 

[Skyler7381]

See here

 

[Joe333x]

I'm pretty positive it has a full hardtop, like a Wrangler but without the last row.

See here

Exactly, you can see the 2 front freedom panels, then there is a rear section of roof and then the rear section that holds the rear window. 4 pieces in total, no 1 piece hard top, no need for a hoist.

 

[Schlap]

See here

From my understanding the gladiator only has freedom panel top not a full hard top option, is that not correct? If it is then you won't be needing anything to help lift the top off.

I was assuming the top is 3 pieces, one over the driver, one over the passenger, and a big one over the back seat that goes down to the top of the bed.
That big one seems like it might need a hoist but I’ll be happy if it doesn’t.

 

[Joe333x]

I was assuming the top is 3 pieces, one over the driver, one over the passenger, and a big one over the back seat that goes down to the top of the bed.
That big one seems like it might need a hoist but I’ll be happy if it doesn’t.

The rear window is a separate section. I wish it wasnt because i was hoping to be able to just remove the rear glass but you need to take the whole section off.

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