Removing the roof (3-peice hardtop) with a short wife and a tall husband?

[JAsh1967]

Summer is coming and I WILL be going topless in the Jeep but a friend suggested looking into a way to rig up a hoist for the roof (especially the back 1/3) in the garage, rather than the wife and I trying to lift it off.

I'm about 6'-1", the wife however is about 5'-2" or 3"...

Will we be able to get the back roof section off without killing ourselves or (more importantly) not damaging the roof section?
Or should I start looking into setting something up in the garage once we get the patio furniture out and can see if the Jeep will fit (or at least enough to get the roof section off)?

Sponsored

 

[XraytecH]

One person can lift it with no bother.

Also helps if you have bed cover and an old blanket.

 

[JDChris]

I built a hoist system for my JKU and it was super simple to use. I've since moved and that stayed in the garage (also worked for storage).

I just got my Bestop Sunrider for Hardtop the other day and once that is installed I may not fully remove the top that often. Maybe once a year? If you think you'll be taking it off frequently you may want to put in a hoist. If you are only after open air for the front row, check out the Sunrider.

As you know our Michigan weather can vary so I prefer the 5 seconds it takes to put the Sunrider up or down.

 

[raypla]

I was able to remove mine by myself, I’m 5’9. I removed bolts slid the top back on the tonneau. It’s not heavy, ~60lbs, but it is awkward. On my jk I installed eye hooks in my garage rafters and used 1 cinch strap on each side, from corner to corner and that worked well.

 

[BrooksC]

I built an elevated walkway out of lumber I had laying around to make her a few inches taller- WifeRamp®. Works perfectly. She's even almost happy to help now. Just use it twice a year to change tops.

 

[JAsh1967]

I built a hoist system for my JKU and it was super simple to use. I've since moved and that stayed in the garage (also worked for storage).

I just got my Bestop Sunrider for Hardtop the other day and once that is installed I may not fully remove the top that often. Maybe once a year? If you think you'll be taking it off frequently you may want to put in a hoist. If you are only after open air for the front row, check out the Sunrider.

As you know our Michigan weather can vary so I prefer the 5 seconds it takes to put the Sunrider up or down.

I like the idea of getting a cover like this, at least for summer driving.
Just not in the budget for this year.

 

[John in the Woods]

I rigged one up in my garage. Four straps, six eye hooks and one 2x4. Maybe $40 total. Works like a charm and I do it solo all the time.

 

[JDChris]

I like the idea of getting a cover like this, at least for summer driving.
Just not in the budget for this year.

If you have the room to store the top in your garage then as people have mentioned, one or two people can remove it fairly easily. The hoist is convenient as you can leave the top in the air and park under it if space is more of an issue.

 

[u-joint]

I went the hoist route myself - actually bought one from Lange, but still.

The hoist makes things quick and easy, plus I know I always have a safe space to store my top when it’s not on my Jeep. I highly recommend it.

 

[Gvsukids]

Summer is coming and I WILL be going topless in the Jeep but a friend suggested looking into a way to rig up a hoist for the roof (especially the back 1/3) in the garage, rather than the wife and I trying to lift it off.

I'm about 6'-1", the wife however is about 5'-2" or 3"...

Will we be able to get the back roof section off without killing ourselves or (more importantly) not damaging the roof section?

Same height difference for my wife and I. Her only struggle is trying to carry the top while avoiding the side of the Jeep. Usually we'll do it if we can leave the top off for a while.

 

[BrooksC]

Same height difference for my wife and I.

Buy WifeRamp® now during our spring sale! Just $999.99 while scrap lumber lasts! *Some Southern ingenuity required. WifeRamp® not responsible for lost or damaged wives.

 

[JAsh1967]

Sigh, I don't think a hoist is going to work, looking at the photos...
My garage is (maybe, we've not tried yet) BARELY deep enough to get the Jeep backed in and close the door.

And if it is backed in so I could pull out from under the roof, I wouldn't be able to OPEN the garage door without hitting the supports.
I might look at doing an A-frame out of 2x4s to lift it off with, although the wife and I are going to try the method in the video XraytecH posted (I've got a black non-painted top, but will probably chuck an old blanket on the tonneau cover anyways)

 

[NachoRuby]

You can probably do it yourself. It's not super heavy. A Little awkward, though. Open the window, and lift from the inside. I'm in the same boat as you.

 

[brianinca]

The sliding window is all you need to pick it up from standing in the bed, one arm to pick up, the other to steady. I fold my tonneau forward and use a step stool to get in and out. It is SO much lighter than an old YJ hardtop, it's like nothing. My wife is also of modest height, she is a great safety supervisor (no clipboard though).

 

[DBravo]

Summer is coming and I WILL be going topless in the Jeep but a friend suggested looking into a way to rig up a hoist for the roof (especially the back 1/3) in the garage, rather than the wife and I trying to lift it off.

I'm about 6'-1", the wife however is about 5'-2" or 3"...

Will we be able to get the back roof section off without killing ourselves or (more importantly) not damaging the roof section?
Or should I start looking into setting something up in the garage once we get the patio furniture out and can see if the Jeep will fit (or at least enough to get the roof section off)?

I'm 5'11" 190 lbs and remove the top myself. I built a rack that I can back under in my garage and just slide it off from the back seat with a little lift (seated bench press). Didn't like the idea of something hanging overhead in the garage (I have a 9 yr old).

Sponsored