Rear MIC Top Weight (69.4 lbs) and Home Made Ceiling Hoist

[SirBenimen]

Installed a rope hoist for the rear top. Once rigged up I put a “Taylor” luggage scale on it to measure the weight. I got 69.4 lbs. I rigged up 2 double pulleys and it takes about 17lbs to lift the top.

I used 10’ straps and I have a 10’ ceiling. For my rig 9’ (possibly 8’) straps would have worked better. I almost run out of lift. I put a boat cleat on the back wall to lock it in place off the ground and have a lag bolt going into a truss on the ceiling. It only takes one person to remove the top.

Once the new MIC top gets here I weigh that one as well.

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[BandofEskimoBrothers]

Thats a good DIY fix. I would worry about the sway, having just the single point on the ceiling.

When I had my jeep, I got one of these storage racks for my garage and would use straps like you to attach to the rack, then crank it up.

 

[SirBenimen]

Thats a good DIY fix. I would worry about the sway, having just the single point on the ceiling.

When I had my jeep, I got one of these storage racks for my garage and would use straps like you to attach to the rack, then crank it up.

I actually don’t mind the sway, it helps me line up the top to the Bronco. I do worry about the single lag in the ceiling, but from my research a 5/16 lag will hold over 200lbs. I use one hand on the rope and one hand guiding the top in place.

 

[Namrekcad]

Well done
Simple solution

 

[4X4 Lady]

Oh you guys, such brainiacs! I love it

 

[OSUOrangeBronco]

That’s a hell of a rig.

 

[Vooch]

Thats a good DIY fix. I would worry about the sway, having just the single point on the ceiling.

When I had my jeep, I got one of these storage racks for my garage and would use straps like you to attach to the rack, then crank it up.

My old man has a single pulley lift for Mom's Miata hard top. Sway isn't really an issue It's not as heavy as the Bronc's but I'd estimate it at 45-50lbs.

 

[Dirty Bronco]

@SirBenimen Would you mind providing the items with links and total cost for the project?

 

[Bronco4]

one suggestion for strength. Place a 2x4 on the ceiling spanning 2 to 3 ceiling Joist and then attach your lag bolt or eye bolt to the 2x4.

 

[Kaopeterson]

Installed a rope hoist for the rear top. Once rigged up I put a “Taylor” luggage scale on it to measure the weight. I got 69.4 lbs. I rigged up 2 double pulleys and it takes about 17lbs to lift the top.

I used 10’ straps and I have a 10’ ceiling. For my rig 9’ (possibly 8’) straps would have worked better. I almost run out of lift. I put a boat cleat on the back wall to lock it in place off the ground and have a lag bolt going into a truss on the ceiling. It only takes one person to remove the top.

Once the new MIC top gets here I weigh that one as well.

very nice. I did one with cams for my 2door top

 

[BlueBronco]

one suggestion for strength. Place a 2x4 on the ceiling spanning 2 to 3 ceiling Joist and then attach your lag bolt or eye bolt to the 2x4.

Came here to suggest something similar. One eye bolt (lag?) screwed into a single truss makes me nervous. I would rather see an eye bolt (bolt not lag) bolted to the middle of a 2x6 that spans 2 or 3 trusses with 2 lag bolts at each truss. Much more durable in the long run.

 

[Blueoval]

Nice solution. Here is mine using two kayak hoists (100lbs per hoist) spaced two feet apart. Two feet seemed like a good distance to lift the mid panel and back cap off.

 

[Snowdogyyz]

Thats a good DIY fix. I would worry about the sway, having just the single point on the ceiling.

When I had my jeep, I got one of these storage racks for my garage and would use straps like you to attach to the rack, then crank it up.

That’s what I’ve used to remove and store my FJ40 Landcruiser top for years. Just sold the 40, but still have the lift!

 

[RLW]

Any worry about the straps putting pressure on the weather stripping in those 2 places on the front while lifted?

Just wonder if its on the lift for several months if you would then have permanent indentations on the weather stripping.

Edit: or is that hard plastic on the front where the straps are and not weather stripping?

 

[Lakelife36]

Installed a rope hoist for the rear top. Once rigged up I put a “Taylor” luggage scale on it to measure the weight. I got 69.4 lbs. I rigged up 2 double pulleys and it takes about 17lbs to lift the top.

I used 10’ straps and I have a 10’ ceiling. For my rig 9’ (possibly 8’) straps would have worked better. I almost run out of lift. I put a boat cleat on the back wall to lock it in place off the ground and have a lag bolt going into a truss on the ceiling. It only takes one person to remove the top.

Once the new MIC top gets here I weigh that one as well.

Do you mind measuring the weight of the other four panels too?
Has anybody weighed a soft top yet?

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