Source(s) for highest quality hard top hoist?

[TR]

I am looking to purchase a hardtop hoist of the highest quality, and of a type that can be operated by just one person.  I recall reading threads sometime back where the electrically powered E-Z Top system, by the Hard Top Hoist Company, might fit the bill.  I've tried contacting them several times over the past month but have had no luck.  Has anyone communicated with the folks at the E-Z Top / Hard Top Hoist Co. lately?  Or are there other high quality units / suppliers that anyone might care to suggest?

Thanks in advance for any comments / recommendations.

[Jim Donati]

Tom:
I was not successfull in contacting E-Z top or finding another suitable quality hoist for my hardtop during my recent quest, so I build my own using a simple electrical winch from Harbor Freight, and 4 Thule (300) gutter roof rack feet, 2 Thule load bars,  some square tubing and several pulleys.   works great and can operate by myself.

[Mark280SL]

At the time I needed my hoist I did not have the time to fabricate one or I likely would have. Ive seen references to some of the other guys making one using the Harbor Freight components and that sounds like a good option if you are so inclined and have time. I don't really know why an electric powered hoist is needed though as a good hand crank model is simple and easy to use. Electric hoists seem to be overkill in my opinion unless you are physically impaired, I mean c'mon the thing you are lifting isn't that heavy.... but to each his own, if that's what you prefer go for it. I purchased a hand crank model from Adsit and it is of solid quality and will easily last a lifetime from what I see, it fully meets the requirement, I used it on my own with no help needed from others and it was just fine.

[Drewtee]

A company in the Uk supplies the 'E-Z" hoist.
http://www.easyhoists.com/home.html

Maybe worth speaking to them or they can point you in the right direction.

I purchased the follwing system which i purchased last week.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mercedes-SL-129-107-Pagoda-Hardtop-Hoist-Hardtoplift_W0QQitemZ320426214850QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item4a9ae405c2&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177#ht_4618wt_1167

It looks good quality but until it is installed would not want to recommend. The problem is i need somebody handy to install the hoist as my garage roof is plaster board so cannot locate the beams at the moment. I shouldn't run before walking.

Once its installed i'll take a picture but it won't be for a few weeks.

[Witt]

WOW, .......look at those prices......Why not build your own as some of us have done, it's fun and very rewarding once it is finished and operable. Check out this site and you will find several ways of doing so!

One thing puzzles me, the ready made hoists seem to lack a solid support once they are up and close to the ceiling ? ! Just being suspended on tender hooks and a wire doesn't seem to be right, especially when using a electric winch!

As you can see by my pictures my top is resting solid once up all the way, to the point that I can safely do restoration work on the inside of the HT. (...don't want to blow my own horn to loud, but I am very happy with mine and it works great.

Why an electric winch, you ask? Well as I mentioned in my post, after pricing out a manual set up the electric winch was less $$ and the controls are easier to locate where I wanted them. It gives me better controll and allows for minute adjustment when lowering or raising the HT;.

But this is only my opinion, I am sure that there are other systems that are very usable to individually needs.

CHEERS !
WITT !

[Dash808]

I was going to make one too, but lucked out and found someone locally selling.  He let me have it for $50 brand new.   Couldn't quite turn that one down.   I haven't installed it yet, and is moving down the list further and further every day with this house remodel in progress. 

[Drewtee]

One thing puzzles me, the ready made hoists seem to lack a solid support once they are up and close to the ceiling ? ! Just being suspended on tender hooks and a wire doesn't seem to be right, especially when using a electric winch!

With the one i purchased from ebay you hoist up to the ceiling and it rests on the extended bolts which you can see, so in theory it should be firm against garage ceiling.

[Tonys113]

I recently purchased the unit from Adistco with out the hand crank. The straps and hanger system are TOP Notch. Once Adjusted correctly (Instructions are very easy) it fits on the hard top perfectly. I did buy the 400 pound electric hoist from Harbor Freight and the whole set-up is a BREEZE.
I no longer have to make and appointment with one of my sons to have my Hard Top put on or taken off. I was so happy with the way it turned out I must have put the top on and off 4 times in the last 2 weeks.
One man operation for sure.
The hardest part of the installation is stopping the car in the garage in the right place. (Only critical for putting the top ON)

Tony

[J. Huber]

Sadly, I cannot recommend the one I have -- the Fritzi-Hooker (that several of us have I believe). It has worked and made lifting the top off a one person job. Especially if that person has three hands... A small problem is that at the moment it sets the top in place and the moment it lifts off the car the tendency is for the top to swing about -- so that third hand would be great. But the big problem in my case were the plastic clips... you can read about it here.

http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=8106.0

[Witt]

I recently purchased the unit from Adistco with out the hand crank. The straps and hanger system are TOP Notch. Once Adjusted correctly (Instructions are very easy) it fits on the hard top perfectly. I did buy the 400 pound electric hoist from Harbor Freight and the whole set-up is a BREEZE.
I no longer have to make and appointment with one of my sons to have my Hard Top put on or taken off. I was so happy with the way it turned out I must have put the top on and off 4 times in the last 2 weeks.
One man operation for sure.
The hardest part of the installation is stopping the car in the garage in the right place. (Only critical for putting the top ON)

Tony

.......Next time you have your car in the exact, perfect place to install your HT, mark the floor as I did........works great !

CHEERS !
WITT !