Home made hard top hoist tour

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by RBurg

Hard Top Hoist: Just made a power hoist!

Hoist wrench  40765-IVGA on sale $59.99 will handle 400 lbs
Harbor Freight. Go online print the best price for a hoist        take it to a store near you and they will honor the web price.
Straps (Sears (4 to support both sides and front and back)
Clips (Sears - set of 4) About $9.00  TOTALE COST 68.99Saves the back and makes storage easy and the top remains damage free.

I look on Ebay many times and they were on sale (power) from $130-$300
Harbor freight has a hand operated wench for ABOUT $20.00 less.

Ron

Inspired by this recent post from Ron, I thought it would be great to start a home made hard top hoist tour, much like the thread on home made wind blockers.  http://index.php?topic=3135

There are a lot of members who like to do things their selves and this would be a good project.

So, Ron.  What types of straps and clips did you get from Sears hardware?

Who else has made their own?

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[RBurg]

I'll do photos and get part numbers for the clamps this weekend - should have all information by Monday.

Ron - Minnesota
71 280SL Tobacco "O GIGI"
97 E420 Silver Mist

[rwmastel]

Great, thank you!  Who else has done a home made hard top hoist?  An obvious point to discuss would me methods of mounting the hoist.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[66andBlue]

My hoist was a manual until today when I went out and bought the power hoist from HarborFreight. Ron, thanks for the tip!
My "clips" are made by Thule. I searched for a long time on eBay for an older "gutter foot pack" and a load bar until I finally was able to buy a scratched up pair for $30 plus shipping. The advantage of these "clips" is that they do not scratch the paint or chrome and just miss the rubber seal above the window. They can also be used (by 2 people, of course) to move the top around when necessary.

The hardtop is at the painter now but I'll post pictures and when it is reassembled and hanging again.

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Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

[Raymond]

I installed a heavier duty electric hoist from Harbor Freight two years ago.  The only problem with it is the speed.  Even doubling the cable through the pulley, the speed down is a bit fast.  With the slight swinging of the top, it is easy to be off an inch or two.  I work the switch with one hand and guide the top with the other hand.  (Another time I wish I had three hands for this car)  It is sometimes a bit tricky.  My Coupe has a chrome turnbuckle clamp that I haven't seen on the roadsters.  It dangles from the center of the back and endangers the paint on the way down.

I made my top cradle out of leftover materials in my garage.  1/2" - galvanized pipe, some wood, carpet, pipe insulation and U-clamps.  It's a cantilever design to balance the top for the lift.  After I built it, I found it is similar in design to the Texas hoist company item. It installs in seconds and everything touching the top is nicely padded.  The bows which actually cradle the top are made from a hose hanger that I cut in half.  One side is bolted in, the other has a pull pin.  I set the cradle on top of the car, with one bow in the window, the other side I slide I slide into place and lock with the pin.  I can remove the top in under two minutes including rolling down the windows and undoing all five latches.


Download Attachment: Hoist rear view.jpg
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Download Attachment: Hoist lift point.JPG
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Download Attachment: Hoist cradle bow.jpg
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Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe