Singlehanded Hardtop Removal
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Joined: Aug 2004
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Hmm. The suction cup seems like a good idea (I'd def use a multi-cup unit in case of failure).
I wonder if you couldn't combine the two ideas and do a suction cup setup with a center bar to make a tripod winch setup that would be easier to use and balance.
I wonder if you couldn't combine the two ideas and do a suction cup setup with a center bar to make a tripod winch setup that would be easier to use and balance.
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,100
Likes: 6
From: Maggie Valley, NC
Originally Posted by shy_guyAP1,Sep 14 2009, 10:23 AM
Step 1: unlatch everything, unplug the window defroster, etc.
Step 2: Push the top up about and inch and put the pillow under the window
Step 3: Lift the top and tilt it back from the front, resting it on the pillow
Step 4: Rotate the top around on the pillow, grab the top frm the front and lift it off the pillow
Step 5: Set it down and done
Step 6: Wonder how the trunk area got so many swirl / scratch marks.
I don't think you can use a similar strategy to get it back on.
Step 2: Push the top up about and inch and put the pillow under the window
Step 3: Lift the top and tilt it back from the front, resting it on the pillow
Step 4: Rotate the top around on the pillow, grab the top frm the front and lift it off the pillow
Step 5: Set it down and done
Step 6: Wonder how the trunk area got so many swirl / scratch marks.
I don't think you can use a similar strategy to get it back on.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,402
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No scratches, I used a soft ass pillow (texture soft) but it was thick.
I have a harness for the hardtop, but I rent my place and don't think my landlord would be OK with me putting up a hoist.
I have a harness for the hardtop, but I rent my place and don't think my landlord would be OK with me putting up a hoist.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 609
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From: Indianapolis, IN
1. I took off my hardtop myself this year also; my wife wasn't home.
2. I lifted it off by being on the passenger side, lifting with my right hand from the middle, with my left hand on the back middle of the rear outside edge; after all, it's only 40 lbs.
3. I set it down on the ground, back edge, then picked it up from underneath with my head balancing in the middle, my hands on each side.
4. Balancing it on my head, I walked it back to the shed, around a corner of the house, avoiding the corner of the shed and the grill, having to put it into the shed which has a low entrance.
5. I just had to muscle it, carrying it a few inches off the ground being careful not to hit the entrance of the out building at the bottom and the top.
6. I put it down carefully on the back edge on layers of rug and blankets, with the front part resting on more blankets resting on a shelf on the wall of the outbuilding.
6. If I had a vid of it, it would terrify you!
7. Before anyone says how stupid that was, I agree.
2. I lifted it off by being on the passenger side, lifting with my right hand from the middle, with my left hand on the back middle of the rear outside edge; after all, it's only 40 lbs.
3. I set it down on the ground, back edge, then picked it up from underneath with my head balancing in the middle, my hands on each side.
4. Balancing it on my head, I walked it back to the shed, around a corner of the house, avoiding the corner of the shed and the grill, having to put it into the shed which has a low entrance.
5. I just had to muscle it, carrying it a few inches off the ground being careful not to hit the entrance of the out building at the bottom and the top.
6. I put it down carefully on the back edge on layers of rug and blankets, with the front part resting on more blankets resting on a shelf on the wall of the outbuilding.
6. If I had a vid of it, it would terrify you!
7. Before anyone says how stupid that was, I agree.
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,539
Likes: 6
From: McKinney, TX
1. I took off my hardtop myself this year also; my wife wasn't home.
2. I lifted it off by being on the passenger side, lifting with my right hand from the middle, with my left hand on the back middle of the rear outside edge; after all, it's only 40 lbs.
3. I set it down on the ground, back edge, then picked it up from underneath with my head balancing in the middle, my hands on each side.
4. Balancing it on my head, I walked it back to the shed, around a corner of the house, avoiding the corner of the shed and the grill, having to put it into the shed which has a low entrance.
5. I just had to muscle it, carrying it a few inches off the ground being careful not to hit the entrance of the out building at the bottom and the top.
6. I put it down carefully on the back edge on layers of rug and blankets, with the front part resting on more blankets resting on a shelf on the wall of the outbuilding.
6. If I had a vid of it, it would terrify you!
7. Before anyone says how stupid that was, I agree.
2. I lifted it off by being on the passenger side, lifting with my right hand from the middle, with my left hand on the back middle of the rear outside edge; after all, it's only 40 lbs.
3. I set it down on the ground, back edge, then picked it up from underneath with my head balancing in the middle, my hands on each side.
4. Balancing it on my head, I walked it back to the shed, around a corner of the house, avoiding the corner of the shed and the grill, having to put it into the shed which has a low entrance.
5. I just had to muscle it, carrying it a few inches off the ground being careful not to hit the entrance of the out building at the bottom and the top.
6. I put it down carefully on the back edge on layers of rug and blankets, with the front part resting on more blankets resting on a shelf on the wall of the outbuilding.
6. If I had a vid of it, it would terrify you!
7. Before anyone says how stupid that was, I agree.
1. This thread is old.
2. You have more balls than I when dealing with a $3K+ Hardtop
3. You have 2 6's.
4.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 609
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
Originally Posted by doddg' timestamp='1396573037' post='23096357
1. I took off my hardtop myself this year also; my wife wasn't home.
2. I lifted it off by being on the passenger side, lifting with my right hand from the middle, with my left hand on the back middle of the rear outside edge; after all, it's only 40 lbs.
3. I set it down on the ground, back edge, then picked it up from underneath with my head balancing in the middle, my hands on each side.
4. Balancing it on my head, I walked it back to the shed, around a corner of the house, avoiding the corner of the shed and the grill, having to put it into the shed which has a low entrance.
5. I just had to muscle it, carrying it a few inches off the ground being careful not to hit the entrance of the out building at the bottom and the top.
6. I put it down carefully on the back edge on layers of rug and blankets, with the front part resting on more blankets resting on a shelf on the wall of the outbuilding.
6. If I had a vid of it, it would terrify you!
7. Before anyone says how stupid that was, I agree.
2. I lifted it off by being on the passenger side, lifting with my right hand from the middle, with my left hand on the back middle of the rear outside edge; after all, it's only 40 lbs.
3. I set it down on the ground, back edge, then picked it up from underneath with my head balancing in the middle, my hands on each side.
4. Balancing it on my head, I walked it back to the shed, around a corner of the house, avoiding the corner of the shed and the grill, having to put it into the shed which has a low entrance.
5. I just had to muscle it, carrying it a few inches off the ground being careful not to hit the entrance of the out building at the bottom and the top.
6. I put it down carefully on the back edge on layers of rug and blankets, with the front part resting on more blankets resting on a shelf on the wall of the outbuilding.
6. If I had a vid of it, it would terrify you!
7. Before anyone says how stupid that was, I agree.
1. This thread is old.
2. You have more balls than I when dealing with a $3K+ Hardtop
3. You have 2 6's.
4.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
From: socal
I just thought of something when someone mentioned the suction cups.
There's a SeaSucker bike rack that uses vacuum and it holds bikes to the roof of the car.
Buy two of these for $50 each and you can have handles for your hardtop for easier removal.
http://www.seasucker.com/shop/rear-wheel-strap/
Rear wheel strap to this entire setup:
There's a SeaSucker bike rack that uses vacuum and it holds bikes to the roof of the car.
Buy two of these for $50 each and you can have handles for your hardtop for easier removal.
http://www.seasucker.com/shop/rear-wheel-strap/
Rear wheel strap to this entire setup:
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 609
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
Originally Posted by doddg' timestamp='1396573037' post='23096357
1. I took off my hardtop myself this year also; my wife wasn't home.
2. I lifted it off by being on the passenger side, lifting with my right hand from the middle, with my left hand on the back middle of the rear outside edge; after all, it's only 40 lbs.
3. I set it down on the ground, back edge, then picked it up from underneath with my head balancing in the middle, my hands on each side.
4. Balancing it on my head, I walked it back to the shed, around a corner of the house, avoiding the corner of the shed and the grill, having to put it into the shed which has a low entrance.
5. I just had to muscle it, carrying it a few inches off the ground being careful not to hit the entrance of the out building at the bottom and the top.
6. I put it down carefully on the back edge on layers of rug and blankets, with the front part resting on more blankets resting on a shelf on the wall of the outbuilding.
6. If I had a vid of it, it would terrify you!
7. Before anyone says how stupid that was, I agree.
2. I lifted it off by being on the passenger side, lifting with my right hand from the middle, with my left hand on the back middle of the rear outside edge; after all, it's only 40 lbs.
3. I set it down on the ground, back edge, then picked it up from underneath with my head balancing in the middle, my hands on each side.
4. Balancing it on my head, I walked it back to the shed, around a corner of the house, avoiding the corner of the shed and the grill, having to put it into the shed which has a low entrance.
5. I just had to muscle it, carrying it a few inches off the ground being careful not to hit the entrance of the out building at the bottom and the top.
6. I put it down carefully on the back edge on layers of rug and blankets, with the front part resting on more blankets resting on a shelf on the wall of the outbuilding.
6. If I had a vid of it, it would terrify you!
7. Before anyone says how stupid that was, I agree.
1. This thread is old.
2. You have more balls than I when dealing with a $3K+ Hardtop
3. You have 2 6's.
4.
A. "This thread is old." = I'm old, my car is old, my wife is old, my job is old, my house is old, my children are old, my friends are old
. What's your problem w/old? 