SmarterHome Hard Top Lifter Review for Bronco Raptor

[ralphy1798]

Hi All!

My son (8) and I installed the SmarterHome Hard Top Lifter today. It took about 3 hours to make sure measurements were right and to get it all level. I really quite like it now that I got it level. Please note that the instructions of where to install the pulleys is a STARTING POINT and ended up lifting mine VERY angled (like 45*!!). It was quite disconcerting. I also scratched the PPF I just had put on my rear roll bar :-(. Ill have it redone at some point, glad it wasn't the paint!

My only real tip is to get the top off the Bronco manually.... and adjust the pulley locations while the top is on the ground. Do not try and pull it straight off the Bronco with the recommended locations for the pulley - it came off 45* angled, and scratched my rear roll bar.

I would recommend it! Just learn from my mistakes....

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[buzpro]

NICE .... real NICE ..... but I still dont see how you guys with these lifts back into the same exact spot if you want to put the hard top back on again!

 

[Johnny Mo]

NICE .... real NICE ..... but I still dont see how you guys with these lifts back into the same exact spot if you want to put the hard top back on again!

With how wide the Braptor is- you don't have much of a choice for the left to right in a single bay opening. LOL

 

[nolimits]

NICE .... real NICE ..... but I still dont see how you guys with these lifts back into the same exact spot if you want to put the hard top back on again!

LOL, can’t speak for others but I always back in and get used to using certain markers in my garage. On the lift I used for my Jeep, you just had to be reasonably close. As your hoisting down you can normally move it left/right or front/back as needed.

Once you get used to them, it’s like second nature.

 

[ralphy1798]

Ha! yeah, it takes a few tries to get lined up. I do need to bias 1 inch to one side of the garage door and I need to be straight! Im sure after 4-5 times, it'll be quick and easy.

 

[F-Spot]

NICE .... real NICE ..... but I still dont see how you guys with these lifts back into the same exact spot if you want to put the hard top back on again!

Once I locked in the exact spot I need to backup into, I mark the garage floor with a strip of duct tape to line up with the center line I see in my backup camera. I know to back up to that strip of duct tape when I want to take off and put back on my hard top.

 

[F-Spot]

Is this the final adjustment you made to be able to keep the hardtop level? Mine is still slightly angled but manageable.

 

[ralphy1798]

My final adjustments are listed in this thread, and I’ll post the picture here. Gray circles without the hardtop red circles with the hardtop ONLY (I’m not putting the front or middle section on this lift). Other two pins should always be on the ends of where the tracks meet on both ends.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...garage-bronco-hoist.39239/page-5#post-2054820

 

[lakesinai]

Hi All!

My son (8) and I installed the SmarterHome Hard Top Lifter today. It took about 3 hours to make sure measurements were right and to get it all level. I really quite like it now that I got it level. Please note that the instructions of where to install the pulleys is a STARTING POINT and ended up lifting mine VERY angled (like 45*!!). It was quite disconcerting. I also scratched the PPF I just had put on my rear roll bar :-(. Ill have it redone at some point, glad it wasn't the paint!

My only real tip is to get the top off the Bronco manually.... and adjust the pulley locations while the top is on the ground. Do not try and pull it straight off the Bronco with the recommended locations for the pulley - it came off 45* angled, and scratched my rear roll bar.

I would recommend it! Just learn from my mistakes....

Curious, is the Raptor hard top any different from the rest? Does the second cross bar change the design?

 

[ralphy1798]

Curious, is the Raptor hard top any different from the rest? Does the second cross bar change the design?

I don’t think the back part is any different.

 

[mike8675309]

Your balance point for the pulleys was off because you have the rear window open. Close the rear window and the top is balanced with the stock location of the pullies. If you have the rear open that pushes the most weight back further and requires a new position.

Also, your beams are too long. Those foam pieces should sit on top of the roof, which eliminates the need for a blanket or towel. you can note that in their installation videos for the Bronco.

...
Please note that the instructions of where to install the pulleys is a STARTING POINT and ended up lifting mine VERY angled (like 45*!!). It was quite disconcerting. I also scratched the PPF I just had put on my rear roll bar :-(. Ill have it redone at some point, glad it wasn't the paint!
...

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