Need contraption for back half hardtop lifting / holding

[Dartboy]

I added Hothead Headliners and the sound assassin strips which seem to have thrown off the weight balance of my top. It is currently dangling at a precarious looking, but apparently stable position.

I used a kayak hanging system from Amazon and a few pieces of uni-strut. I don't have enough space int he garage to lift it directly off my truck, so I lift it off (usually with another person's help) A trash wheelie bin makes a good base to hold the top while I get all the straps and struts in place.

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[ShadowsPapa]

Ya do what you gotta do, for your situation, garage/space and whatever.
This sure shows the creativity out there (except for those who order turn-key, no thinking, solutions - come on folks - be creative!)

 

[Deleted member 57233]

Me amd the wife just grab it and set it off in the Grass

I just roll mine onto the tonneau and lift it off. Sometimes I bug the wife to put it back on.

 

[imallcrawl]

I used to hang my JKU hardtop from the garage ceiling with a DIY hoist, then it lived on a picnic table on my patio until I sold it. But because the JT's hardtop is much smaller, when the weather cools off and I finally decide to remove it, it will just live in my garage, no fancy hoist, just laid out on the garage floor lol

 

[Stan H]

I used to hang my JKU hardtop from the garage ceiling with a DIY hoist, then it lived on a picnic table on my patio until I sold it. But because the JT's hardtop is much smaller, when the weather cools off and I finally decide to remove it, it will just live in my garage, no fancy hoist, just laid out on the garage floor lol

Yes , I understand about some having physical limitations and its all understandable, I aint got a perfect back myself. But yeah I only really needed my wife to align it really .
I literally can lift the whole thing by myself. Last time I took it off and laid it in the grass ,I carried it back up to the front of the house and then wife grabbed it and help me set it back on.
I actually used to get up under the JKU one and place my hands against both sides and just stand up and walk away with it and just squat down in the grass and crawl out

 

[imallcrawl]

Yes , I understand about some having physical limitations and its all understandable, I aint got a perfect back myself. But yeah I only really needed my wife to align it really .
I literally can lift the whole thing by myself. Last time I took it off and laid it in the grass ,I carried it back up to the front of the house and then wife grabbed it and help me set it back on.
I actually used to get up under the JKU one and place my hands against both sides and just stand up and walk away with it and just squat down in the grass and crawl out

I tried carrying it myself and I just couldn't do it. I do have back issues as well, but I think its more because I'm old

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I tried carrying it myself and I just couldn't do it. I do have back issues as well, but I think its more because I'm old

No way I could carry it. And part of the issue might also go to wing span..........besides back and knee issues and age.

 

[Stan H]

No way I could carry it. And part of the issue might also go to wing span..........besides back and knee issues and age.

Yeah Im over 6'5" and so I am able to span it. I also work out alot 🦾🦿

 

[imallcrawl]

Yeah Im over 6'5" and so I am able to span it. I also work out alot 🦾🦿

Well that explains it!

 

[Supazuk]

Me amd the wife just grab it and set it off in the Grass

I just lay mine back on my tonneau cover then my son or wife help me lower it to a set of furniture dollys

 

[93civej1]

Lots of ways to do it…..
We have a hoist setup on a trolly. Bought everything on Amazon and/or lowes.

I really like this idea as I have the whole garage opener center setup as well. What do you think your cost was with materials and all?

 

[Janster]

I really like this idea as I have the whole garage opener center setup as well. What do you think your cost was with materials and all?

Here’s our Amazon shopping list.
Granted…some of this stuff you could get elsewhere and/or you could do differently. The bar that lifts the top isn’t listed - that was ‘sign post’ and some other hardware/drings, etc we got at Lowes.
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2MEHG2KXY4SOW?ref_=wl_share

 

[firemedic2714]

Find a used Wrangler hardtop hoist on CL or FB Marketplace. I had a JKU. I have a Harken Hoister I recycled from that. I've seen the manual ones like I have for as little as $50 to the fully electric ones for $200-$400. I'm able to remove and replace my top by myself with ease.

 

[Stan H]

Find a used Wrangler hardtop hoist on CL or FB Marketplace. I had a JKU. I have a Harken Hoister I recycled from that. I've seen the manual ones like I have for as little as $50 to the fully electric ones for $200-$400. I'm able to remove and replace my top by myself with ease.

Or just get a couple pulleys and a few eye screws and some rope and make ya one with a boat winch.

 

[John in the Woods]

I went with the cam buckle method and 2x4's. I also added a 1/4" thick single sticky side foam to the boards to "protect" the hard top.

Absolute amen to this cheap and simple system. I have pretty much the same thing and have been using it solo for years.

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