Hardtop Hoist Setup

[Maximus24]

I just finished installing a Harken Hardtop Hoist. I'm pretty happy with it, but it has the same issue that many of the cheaper, generic Jeep top hoist systems have: it's really made for a Wrangler top, and the straps don't properly secure a gladiator top. They're set up to secure the top by looping under the corner where the vertical edge halfway along the side meets the roof and then out through the flipped open rear window. With the different shape on the gladiator top, this doesn't work. (I've seen several examples of people running the straps through the rear window opening, and this is a bad idea. The glass should not have all that weight hanging on it like that.)

Of course, I only realized that the kit didn't have any good way to secure the Gladiator top as-is until after I had installed the damn thing. After browsing a couple dozen of threads with how people have set up their hoist systems, I think I've pieced together a really easy, cheap solution that also securely attaches to the top and is zero risk of it shifting or falling. This would work for any generic hoist/lift system, and all you need is just a couple of parts from amazon or a hardware store.


1- Securing The Rear of the Top

I wanted to link to the thread I got this idea from to give credit where it's due, but now I can't seem to find it. For the rear attach points, I just use two grommet loop straps and attach them to the top using the existing bolt and a wingnut. After removing all the bolts, I lift the top slightly, insert one of the bolts back into the hole from the bottom, and then slide a loop strap underneath it. I then fold the grommet end around the edge of the top onto the bolt and screw on the wingnut. Here's what that looks like:​

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2- Securing the Front of the Top

For this one, I didn't want to use the same grommet straps since they're kind of long, and the front two bolt holes are on the top of the roof. If you have a higher garage ceiling, it should work fine, but I wanted something that could let me snug the top up as close to the ceiling as possible. My solution was to use eye nuts along with the existing bolts for the top. Again, you lift the top slightly and run the bolts up through the bottom of the hole. But then instead of a strap, I just thread the bolt into an eye nut that is tied to the hoist ropes.​

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Overall View:

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Links to the Parts I Used:

1- Harken Hoister​

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074DCJYVK​

​

2- Grommet Straps​

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1VS8Z8J​

​

3- Wing Nuts​

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I2VU0RM​

​

4- Eye Nuts​

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083BZJZCH​

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[JAsh1967]

I've been looking at various hoists (still haven't found one I LIKE) and I've constantly wondered why none of the hoists take advantage of the bolt holes for holding the top to the Jeep as some sort of "support" point.

Either a bar with "pins" that line up with the holes, or something like you've done (which, granted, is a bit more fiddling, but an awesome solution)

Me thinks I might be putting your parts list in my Amazon cart soon.

 

[snazzy gladdie]

The previous riggings from other replies to your question our great solutions. I bought A kit from Quadratec, simple step by step instructions. My garage configuration with the roof trusses was different to some so I had to do some extra rigging and leveling. Piece of cake just back up underneath the lifting apparatus.

 

[Janster]

We put together a lift using a hoist setup. Here’s the shopping list off Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2MEHG2KXY4SOW?ref_=wl_share

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I've been looking at various hoists (still haven't found one I LIKE) and I've constantly wondered why none of the hoists take advantage of the bolt holes for holding the top to the Jeep as some sort of "support" point.

Either a bar with "pins" that line up with the holes, or something like you've done (which, granted, is a bit more fiddling, but an awesome solution)

Me thinks I might be putting your parts list in my Amazon cart soon.

I made my own using a cheap boat winch, a Menards bicycle storage hoist setup, paracord and some pulleys.
The cord has loops at the end that go through those bolt holes in the front, and wood dowels go through the loops to secure them. the bike lift fingers grip other cord loops which use the rear bolt holes. Cheap - under 50 bucks for all of it.

 

[XraytecH]

I just finished installing a Harken Hardtop Hoist. I'm pretty happy with it, but it has the same issue that many of the cheaper, generic Jeep top hoist systems have: it's really made for a Wrangler top, and the straps don't properly secure a gladiator top. They're set up to secure the top by looping under the corner where the vertical edge halfway along the side meets the roof and then out through the flipped open rear window. With the different shape on the gladiator top, this doesn't work. (I've seen several examples of people running the straps through the rear window opening, and this is a bad idea. The glass should not have all that weight hanging on it like that.)

Of course, I only realized that the kit didn't have any good way to secure the Gladiator top as-is until after I had installed the damn thing. After browsing a couple dozen of threads with how people have set up their hoist systems, I think I've pieced together a really easy, cheap solution that also securely attaches to the top and is zero risk of it shifting or falling. This would work for any generic hoist/lift system, and all you need is just a couple of parts from amazon or a hardware store.


1- Securing The Rear of the Top

I wanted to link to the thread I got this idea from to give credit where it's due, but now I can't seem to find it. For the rear attach points, I just use two grommet loop straps and attach them to the top using the existing bolt and a wingnut. After removing all the bolts, I lift the top slightly, insert one of the bolts back into the hole from the bottom, and then slide a loop strap underneath it. I then fold the grommet end around the edge of the top onto the bolt and screw on the wingnut. Here's what that looks like:​

​

2- Securing the Front of the Top

For this one, I didn't want to use the same grommet straps since they're kind of long, and the front two bolt holes are on the top of the roof. If you have a higher garage ceiling, it should work fine, but I wanted something that could let me snug the top up as close to the ceiling as possible. My solution was to use eye nuts along with the existing bolts for the top. Again, you lift the top slightly and run the bolts up through the bottom of the hole. But then instead of a strap, I just thread the bolt into an eye nut that is tied to the hoist ropes.​

​

​

Overall View:

​

Links to the Parts I Used:

1- Harken Hoister​

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074DCJYVK​

​

2- Grommet Straps​

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1VS8Z8J​

​

3- Wing Nuts​

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I2VU0RM​

​

4- Eye Nuts​

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083BZJZCH​

Using the screw holes as attachment points is smart.

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