whatever, dont do it yourself! I nearly killed myself trying to install my hardtop.. and I did w/o no scratches of any sort!.. but since then, it hasn't come off

 

It has been posted here a couple of years ago. Another owner tried to remove the HT on his own and he mis-balanced the top. Dropped the pointy rear latch onto the painted part of the car. Had pictures too. UGLY!!!!! I recall he was a big strong guy too.

If you can't install a hoist "IN" your garage, maybe you could rig something up just "outside" your garage on the wall just above the door opening (kinda like the way some people mount basketball hoops above their garage doors). You drive the car half way in, hook onto the HT, lift it off, drive the car either in or out and then lower the HT enough to put it onto a stand or something.

 

I tried it myself few day ago. You have to be somewhat strong to lift it up and balance your way out of the car while holding it above your head. One slip and it's all over. I sit on the center console, lift it to free it up, then with the right hand grab the base of the glass window and with the left grabbing the center point of the front end. Lift up all the way and walk out of your car without any hesitation. That's basically it As far as putting it back on, you'll definitely need another person. I'll get a hoist sometime soon.

 

The hoist is out of the question for me b/c of room and if i did find a way to do it w/ the hoist it still would not work. It would not be able to lift it high enough to back out of my garage. There is no way to BACK my car IN b/c my driveway is on a big angle Thanks for all the time and info. If i figure out a way I willl let you all know. Thanks again
Kenny

 

KenGPW-
be glad you're not trying the hoist thing. I rigged a hoist in my former garage, managed to drop one of the sharp points behind the cockpit. That nasty scratch is going to cost several hundreds of dollars to fix when I also have a fender replaced next week.

If anyone wants to try to make their own hoist I recommend a couple of pulleys in series to make it substantially easier to lift, webbing straps around the hardtop. Worked for me & I'm just a weak girlie girl. Still every time I used the damned thing I got really nervous about more damage. The new garage has too low a ceiling. My advice: make friends with your neighbors.