Topic: Lange Originals Hoist-a-Top

[Tsd]

Has anyone used/seen/built one of these hoist-a-top systems? My father and brother are really tired of me asking for help to remove the top of the jeep and I really want to have "hardtop independence" 

[Jeffy]

They work but you could just as easily make one as well.  I'd probably use a T shape and have it inside the top to give it a bit more support.  You could use a pulley system if you don't have a come-a-long.

[chardrc]

how does that attatch to the back? do you have to take the window out??

[Tsd]

how does that attatch to the back? do you have to take the window out??

Apparently not. they say that you don't have to modify anything to use it.



Even my grandma could use it!

[jfrabat]

I think Obi Wan's site had some instructions on how to make one for yourself with Home Depot parts (very cheap to make)

[Tsd]

Here it is:

http://www.jedi.com/obiwan/jeep/hoist.html



Only problem I see is that he has to pull every single support separately. The T support looks more easy to handle.

[Jeffy]

The other problem with that setup is it will pull the sides outwards over time.  It's not a big deal but I'd rather have the top have no weight on the sides.

[Tsd]

The other problem with that setup is it will pull the sides outwards over time.  It's not a big deal but I'd rather have the top have no weight on the sides.

Good point! The Lange Originals is at 159$ at quadratec, that's like 370$ in my doorstep at the end of the world. I think i will design my own T support and have it made (I don't have a welder machine  ).

[Mozman68]

I had the manual one when I had my hard top...gave it to the guy who bought my hard top.

It worked great.

It is a standard come-along (came in the original box)...the t-setup was stock square tubing that the welded.  It also uses off the shelf hooks with rubber protection.

The nice thing about it was that the center support for the t-portion was a larger tube with welded on eye socket....it let you place the connection so the top was balanced when it was pulled off.

[Jeffy]

Good point! The Lange Originals is at 159$ at quadratec, that's like 370$ in my doorstep at the end of the world. I think i will design my own T support and have it made (I don't have a welder machine  ).

You could probably make it from 2x4's and eye-bolts if you didn't want to make it form metal.  You could even use pipe.

[oldjeep]

That winch they use is one you can get at harborfreight for cheap. (79.99)
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40765
I use one of the heavier versions for pulling engines.


If all you are looking for is hardware independance then just get under it and stand up, that is the only way I've ever removed a hard top or pickup topper.  They arn't that heavy.

[jfrabat]

If all you are looking for is hardware independance then just get under it and stand up, that is the only way I've ever removed a hard top or pickup topper.  They arn't that heavy.

I dont know about that; I have the targa top, and although I do take it off myself everytime it comes off, I have to say that balancing the top can be a bit of a PITA (and getting out from under the top once on the floor is a big PITA for me, but I am 6'5", so it may be easier for you).