Min Height Required for Hoist?

[Mscdman]

I’m interested in this one. Looks like it uses flat hooks which I like. Anyone used it? Thoughts?

https://langeoriginals.com/products...-mic-hoist-a-top-power-hardtop-removal-system

Sponsored

 

[Mrchoochoo]

I’m interested in this one. Looks like it uses flat hooks which I like. Anyone used it? Thoughts?

https://langeoriginals.com/products...-mic-hoist-a-top-power-hardtop-removal-system

I'm not comfortable lifting the top with the middle panel attached. The only thing connecting it to the rear panel is the 1 latch. That's my opinion but I have a DIY lift because I didn't want to spend that much on a lift, and I kinda like making my own stuff...

 

[Mscdman]

I'm not comfortable lifting the top with the middle panel attached. The only thing connecting it to the rear panel is the 1 latch. That's my opinion but I have a DIY lift because I didn't want to spend that much on a lift, and I kinda like making my own stuff...

I have 2 door and would lift without the front panels. Only the back shell…

 

[Johnny Mo]

Closeups of my floating shelf for my hardtop - gonna add a 3rd pair of threaded rods at the front and an aluminum rectangular tube - that'll give me the extra span I need to store my mid panel turned longways. As you can see from the hoist straps - all pressure is relieved from the MIC top.

 

[nolimits]

I saw a thread in here where the guy mounted the hoist in his attic and ran the cable through a hole in the ceiling...saved a lot of room. He had shot ceilings also

This is what I designed and installed back in my Jeep days. Can’t believe I still had the CAD file, lol.

Anyhow, in my case I had tall ceilings…close to 10’ tall. However, this design would work great for any height ASSUMING YOU HAVE ATTIC ACCESS ABOVE THE GARAGE.

For the Jeep I bought seatbelt straps and had a custom harness stitched by a local seamstress. Included a D ring for a pick point. When I would lift I threw a blanket on top of the hard top and would then (gently) snug it against the sheetrock for max clearance.

I haven’t decided what to do with the Bronco yet. As much as I like this concept, I have living space above the garage so this design isn’t practicable for my current scenario.

 

[Mscdman]

This is what I designed and installed back in my Jeep days. Can’t believe I still had the CAD file, lol.

Anyhow, in my case I had tall ceilings…close to 10’ tall. However, this design would work great for any height ASSUMING YOU HAVE ATTIC ACCESS ABOVE THE GARAGE.

For the Jeep I bought seatbelt straps and had a custom harness stitched by a local seamstress. Included a D ring for a pick point. When I would lift I threw a blanket on top of the hard top and would then (gently) snug it against the sheetrock for max clearance.

I haven’t decided what to do with the Bronco yet. As much as I like this concept, I have living space above the garage so this design isn’t practicable for my current scenario.

I’m going to raise the ceiling in part of my garage bay (it’s an easy mod for my setup) to 11ft and then a hoist can lift it out

 

[nolimits]

I’m going to raise the ceiling in part of my garage bay (it’s an easy mod for my setup) to 11ft and then a hoist can lift it out

Gotcha, that’s a clever way to add some head space. Basically a boxed ceiling. Our master bedroom has a boxed ceiling. Example pic below (not ours).

If you use the design I shared, be aware the winch remote line was about 5-6’ long. With the top sucked up and position of the winch you don’t get that full length. It wasn’t a problem for me but another 1.5’ to 2’ may create an issue.

 

[Mscdman]

Gotcha, that’s a clever way to add some head space. Basically a boxed ceiling. Our master bedroom has a boxed ceiling. Example pic below (not ours).

If you use the design I shared, be aware the winch remote line was about 5-6’ long. With the top sucked up and position of the winch you don’t get that full length. It wasn’t a problem for me but another 1.5’ to 2’ may create an issue.

That’s exactly what I’m building. A boxed setup like your photo. Not sure I’m following your winch remote line statement. I’m looking to use the Lange hoist a top setup..

 

[Mscdman]

Do you think a 10.5 foot high ceilig with the Lange hoist a top will clear the Sasquatch Bronco top?

 

[Mrchoochoo]

Do you think a 10.5 foot high ceilig with the Lange hoist a top will clear the Sasquatch Bronco top?

Realistically, I think all you need is a foot to lift the top off your bronco to be able to drive away from it. The Lange hoist will be no lower that 2 feet from the ceiling. That gives you about 8 feet of room...my uneducated guess is that would be ok

 

[Mscdman]

Realistically, I think all you need is a foot to lift the top off your bronco to be able to drive away from it. The Lange hoist will be no lower that 2 feet from the ceiling. That gives you about 8 feet of room...my uneducated guess is that would be ok

Yea but I don’t want to have to back in. Want it stored above my truck. So trying to determine when fully raised if I can park under it.

I guess 1 foot to account for the electric hoist + 2 feet for the top = say 40 inches when fully raised from ceiling + 6 foot on the bronco = 112 inches or 9.3 feet. So a 10 foot ceiling when hoist is fully retracted should fully clear the bronco with ability to park under

 

[Johnny Mo]

Do you think a 10.5 foot high ceilig with the Lange hoist a top will clear the Sasquatch Bronco top?

Yes - my Braptor clears at 10' ceiling height. But if you don't want to back in - you'll need a sidewinder garage door opener.

 

[Mscdman]

Yes - my Braptor clears at 10' ceiling height. But if you don't want to back in - you'll need a sidewinder garage door opener.

Correct. That is what I’m doing along with the ceiling mod - wall mounted garage door opener

 

[Mscdman]

Another option is mount on the wall and use a pulley on the ceiling. If you mount on the wall, remember that studs are not built for lateral forces and you can / will pull out the stud sideways. So you need to span multiple studs and somehow reinforce the stud at the ceiling corner so it doesn’t pull out. There’s a few pics of this type of set up on this forum.

Hamburger. I’ll be wall mounting it and modifying my garage to 10ft ceilings. Do you have any links on how I should setup the studs to withstand the lateral force?

 

[RockChalk96]

I just wrote this email to smarterhome. I didn't spend too much time on it so forgive grammatical errors.. but, bottom line unless you have a very high ceiling (probably 10ft), do not bother with this lift. I struck out certain details with "xxxxx."

Hello,

The purpose of this email is to document why I will not be using the smarter home bronco hard top lifter after one attempt. This is regarding order # xx-xxxxxx. And, by the way, let me start by saying that xxxxx provided me with support over the telephone for about 15 minutes and answered all of my installation questions. Thank you, xxxxxxx. Despite that, this product has serious flaws:

1. The balance point(s). Because this uses one motor and a fixed point [on each side], obviously the balance is critical at any point in time. In this case, I require THREE balance points because of the height of my garage (8.5 ft). The first point is when there is no load - but this would be right between two holes, it never quite balances - so I have to add a counterweight on one end. The second balance point is obviously when fully loaded (mid top and front panels on top - that is OK. Then there is a third balance point needed - because I cannot lift it (or put it back on) with the [front] hard top panels [resting in the carry bag] - so there is another balance point without the front panels. And nevermind the 4th balance point, if you happen to need to open the back window (as I do to drive my bronco out from under the lift). This would all be OK if the pins came out easily - but they don't - the holes do not quite line up so I have to use a rubber hammer to remove and re-insert them.
2. The bluetooth connection gives out constantly. Sometimes while lifting, sometimes after I stop. I constantly get errors that the bluetooth connection fails. This also happened during the firmware update - took three tries to get it. Note I have a brand new Iphone 17 pro.
3. The instructions for a Bronco installation are paltry, at best, with the width and length and pully locations vaguely described, at best.

All that said, this renders the lift impossible for me to use. I will have to find another solution.

I note you have no return policy for opened products - which is unfortunate - given it is impossible to test prior. But my view is that the balance points are such that you have to be able to use it unbalanced and therefore this is only suitable for a very high garage ceiling... which is not noted anywhere on the site.

Sponsored