The search function seems to be down so I'll make this post. I purchashed a cheap bicycle hoist from sears yesterday for $30 just to see if I could make it work w/ my new hardtop but it didn't pan out. What have ya'll used that works well (or even works at all). It would be rare that I wouldn't have anyone home to help me get the hardtop on/off. This is really just an excuse for me to get into the garage and tinker on something.

Post up your set ups w/ pics if possible.

 

hey fast,

i wanna know this too. im assuming its for one man removal and install of the hard top?

 

I made one out of a bike hoist from costco.
I bought 2 of them and ran one for the front and one for the back.
Works great and only costs $30 total!
I do need to use 2 hands to raise the roof but I can do it solo.

I have a picture to post but haven't figured out how to post, and the search function doesn't seem to be working today.

 

try google then type in "s2ki, ____" search topic in blank. i found it works much better than google.

i like these threads, very innovative, what people have done to fix common problems

 

Tried "s2ki, how to post picture" but didn't get anything usefull back.

Anyway, I screwed in 2 2x4 into the rafters and "eye-balled" the pully's.
Then just screwed them in, only took me about a hour.

The only down-side is aligning the car to put the top on.

If there are off by a little its not a big deal taking it off but,
for putting it back on it has to be aligned really close.

If I could post a picture it would be easier to understand.

 

take the top off and then tape the floor where the car was. Use that to align the car for the top

 

^sounds like the best idea^

 

I have seen some pretty cool pully systems that people have used to get their hard top off. If I ever decide for sure to go and get myself a hardtop, then I would definatly invest in making one for mine.

-Ian

 

this is probably only good for a laugh/critizism... but, the way I did it once (keyword once, and only once) - rolled down both windows like normal, undid all the hoods for the hardtop, opend the passenger door and stratled the center console, then put both my arms out to the side and stood up (like atlas holding the earth) haha that part was easy, it was the dismount that was tricky - used my tool bench to rest one side of the top while I adjusted my grip and turned around so the top was in front of me... then just set it down.

reversing the process to put the top back on was actually easier... just be careful not to scratch anything while trying to find the hole, but I'm sure we all know that already!

 

Is this for the OEM style top or something? Is it really heavy?

I usually just lift my FRP Mugen style top off the car by myself and carry it to my basement. And I'm 5'7", not some super human.