Wanted Hardtop Hoist

[Antm72]

Hi all probably a long shot but never hurt to ask. Anyone got a hoist for the garage to help remove the hardtop usually only me around so to remone and replace by myself need to acquire one.
Any help will be appreciated.

 

[hard top]

Just checked Sales@RoadsterSolutions.com, item no longer available ...
I will check with my Dutch mate for you.

 

[hard top]

Sorry, no luck with my Dutch mate ...

 

[hard top]

How about this?

DIY hardtop hoist
All,

after reviewing this thread and several others and looking at the various commercially available hardtop hoists (~$200) I decided I could make one myself and save some moolah and so using ideas gleaned from looking at pictures I did and it worked out great at less than half the cost (< $100) using "off the shelf" supplies from Lowes and a block and tackle I ordered off the internet. Here's a complete list of materials and the approximate cost in case anyone out there wants to try this themselves and save some money. It took me about two hours to fabricate and hang the hoist and get my hardtop dangling.

1 - 2 ton block and tackle ordered off internet (overkill, $17)
1 - 10' 12 gauge "unistrut" (cut in half, electric depart.) ($16)
2 - 1/4" cone lock gizmos (electric depart.,fit in the unistrut for threading threaded hooks)
1 - 10' 1 inch electric conduit (cut in half, electric depart.) ($6)
1 - package of 2 10' tie down straps with cam locking mechanisms ($15)
1 - "angle tab" for attaching block and tackle to strut (electric depart.) ($2)
1 - 6' pipe insulation (1" inside diameter, 1/2" thickness) ($6)
1 - 1/4" eye bolt (lag bolt) ($1)
6 - 1/4" threaded hooks with nuts ($3)
8 - 1/4" flat washers
4 - 1/4" lock nuts
1 - 1/2" x 1 1/2" hex bolt (for securing "angle tab" to strut)
1 - 1/2" lock nut
1 - foot of light gauge chain
1 - roll of foam tape (weather stripping)
1 - rope cleat (to tie off the rope when the hoist is raised)

already on-hand:
black "Gorilla" duct tape
hack saw
2 - 5lb sand bags I use at the rifle range with my S&W AR15
1 - electric drill with 1/4" drill bit
2 - flat wrenches
pliers
utility knife
etc

see the pictures here: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=838894

In the pictures you could kind of tell how all of that fits together.

Notes:

1) the hardtop has a tendency to hang with the back-end lower and I added the two sandbags as counter weights. Just place them on the top before lifting off and the top will hang more level. You can tell from the pictures where to position them

2) I removed the hooks that came with the block and tackle because they made the entire hoist hang that much lower and I wanted the top as close to the ceiling as possible. The hooks are easily removed and the block and tackle can just be attached directly through the eye bolt screwed into the ceiling joist and to the "angle tab" that is attached to the strut. I have an 8' ceiling in my garage. With this arrangement the lowest point of the top is about 68" off the garage floor. With this arrangement the hardtop has a tendency to twist 90 degrees and hang perpendicular to the bay in which the car is parked. To compensate I just used a piece of clothesline rope to secure it to the garage door track and while the block and tackle is "twisted" it doesn't hurt anything.

3) I left the excess straps hanging down as a visual reminder that something is hanging from the ceiling in case anyone taller than 5'8" is walking around in there while the car is pulled out of the garage. Otherwise when the car is parked one cannot walk under it and hit their heads anyway.

4) This thing is way "over-engineered". The top weighs less than 100 lbs and it's really just a "balancing act". Most of the weight hangs on the strut that is made up of the unistrut and electrical conduit. The tie down straps just keep the top from falling backward off the strut and don't take that much of the weight. They are there more for "containment". The counterweights also help make it hang more level which just visually seems more normal but it also provides more headroom.

 

[Mac Romans]

I’ve got One in my garage but was always too nervous to give it a go in case it swings or dropped it.

 

[hard top]

 

[Grumps]

I'm sure someone on here (UK) mate one.

 

[David]

I'm sure someone on here (UK) mate one.

@gookah ??

 

[Grumps]

@gookah ??

Don't think it was David.

 

[Sean d]

@mwpe has one, looks a belter for about £70

 

[Sean d]

This is the one Mike uses
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002QRWHRO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[hard top]

This is the one Mike uses

Yeah, but that's just an electric hoist, you need the lifting frame as well.

 

[hard top]

What I like about this DIY setup is, it only lifts from the back, so no mucking about with a lifting point at the front of the hardtop.

 

[Sean d]

Yeah, but that's just an electric hoist, you need the lifting frame as well.

The set up you put on would do me as I don't have power in my garage, I can't be arsed to run a cable as it to far.

 

[Jjim]

Wish I had room in my garage to get the Zed in

 

[mwpe]

I made the sling from some scrap Dexion and old tubing with bits of cargo strap to hook over the locating spigots. All the metal is wrapped in pipe insulation to protect the paintwork. It is crude but does the job.

 

[gookah]

David was right....

I did make one
and also one for g8jka

used these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180Kg-CAR...hash=item5d6715d2c5:m:mvJ3o49zG-hNwt9SvrA5wFA

some of these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7mm-x-70...496091&hash=item488d07ba77:g:jG0AAOSwMVFXIiOI

and some of these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-Ton-x-...191133?hash=item3f7dc7e1dd:g:AAEAAOSwuMFUbJyg

I think it was onex3m sling and 3x1metre slings but I would have to measure

Can do it single handedly. however have now upgraded to a powered winch but still using the slings.

 

[David]

David was right....

I did make one
and also one for g8jka

Dear @Grumps

A wise man once told me:

“NER NER NUH-NER NERRRRR!!”

That is all

...
Hoist looks great @gookah!

 

[Grumps]

Dear @Grumps

A wise man once told me:

“NER NER NUH-NER NERRRRR!!”

That is all

...
Hoist looks great @gookah!

Yes twas you id got in my head! Thank you.

 

[g8jka]

I did make one
and also one for g8jka

used these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180Kg-CAR...hash=item5d6715d2c5:m:mvJ3o49zG-hNwt9SvrA5wFA

some of these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7mm-x-70...496091&hash=item488d07ba77:g:jG0AAOSwMVFXIiOI

and some of these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-Ton-x-...191133?hash=item3f7dc7e1dd:g:AAEAAOSwuMFUbJyg

I think it was onex3m sling and 3x1metre slings but I would have to measure

I have the hand pulley, a 3M, a 2M and a 1M sling with a few carabiners. Works great I can get it on and off on my own, it's a bit easier in gookah's garage as it's a lot wider as I only have a standard width garage. Takes about 10 minutes to take it off or put it on.