Built in Salt Lake City
I sold my Roll-N-Jack because it too up too much floor space and I couldn’t remove the top by myself with it. I got the hoist, had my handy man install it, and I can do everything else myself! I love this thing! Jeep 2021 JL 4 Door.
Conceptionally this is a great idea... otherwise not so much. I'm very frustrated with this system and regardless of how much research and video I absorb, I cannot get this to work properly. It goes up and down, as it should, however, when I hook up the top to it, it tilts backwards rather severely and the front cable has a large loop in it. It makes no sense to me whatsoever given that I've followed the instructions verbatim. All in all I will continue to use it because in effect it does what is supposed to do, but, to say I'm disappointed with the functionality of it would be a gross understatement.
It is difficult to install, once is completely installed is easy to use. Make sure to have 2 people when trying to re-install the roof to avoid scratches since is hard to set up the car at the same time to fit the roof correctly on top.
We love this lift! So easy to use, and installation was easy when following video and written instructions. Easy enough for one person to independently remove the top. Great design and functionality.
GUys, This is a cool item. Ido like it. However not the most precise on distances between 2x6. I really thought you wanted the distance of 13.5 inches either way of plumb center tome centered on those spots. THat bites. GUys the screws included strip very easily even with pilot holes. Go buy wood screws at Lowes. Will save you time. Watch a video before install. I like it but damn..... it took longer than expected
Instructions could have been written a bit better. This took my husband the better part of a day to install. Leveling is still a little off and took quite a while for us to get to where we are at now.
Admittingly, I was hesitant to get this just because my garage ceiling is so low @ 8ft. Just looking at the picture, I didnt see how there would be clearance to lift anything given the my Jeep is 6ft. But Hoist-A-Top claimed that 8ft is all you need and being a full time single dad whose boy has been dying to ride around with the top off, I bit the bullet figuring that I could return if needed. The delivery arrived a day early and it came nicely packaged . The frame was simple to assemble so next it was time to mount the winch/pulled system. Low and behold, when I saw the directions had an option for rear wall mounted winch, I understood how a 8ft ceiling would work. Pullys were easy to assemble on my own and directions were clear. The winch is very heavy, great quality but very heavy especially given that you're installing it on or near the ceiling. I was able to do it on my own breaking out in a serious sweat, but If I had to do it over, I'd definitely call a friend to help.
After everything was together, it was time to test and balance. Balancing the frame with the top was a huge, time consuming pain because it's trial and error but it only has to be done once and it will make it so much easier removing and putting on the top.
The whole install including balancing the frame and installing the winch on my own took about 2 hours. It would have been faster if I didn't have to drill into my brick garage walls to install the winch.
After all is said and done, the system works PERFECTLY! Seriously, on my own, I can get the hard top off in less than 15 min from the time I start to loosen the first bolt from the frame. Back on, same thing - less than 15min on my own (not including the 30 min it takes me to back into the correct position :). Solved this by painting the floor so it matches the Jeep's rear camera guidelines when Im where I should be). You will have your hard top off a lot more with this system!!
So what's my wish list (not compaints)?
1) Include some foam padding on the rear window hook. I did this on my own and would highly recommend. While the rear hook is smooth and well painted, I can see it scratching the paint for those that have the painted top.
2) Better hardware! This surprised me given the quality of the actual Hoist a top. The included hardware easily stripped, and one head even snapped installing the pullys. If you get this - and you should - be prepared to buy better screws and bolts.
3) Hoist-A-Top should definitely highlight on Amazon that this can be rear mounted!!
Highly recommend this product!
Common questions
Our Hoists were designed for garages of all heights. Each garage is different. Just be sure to measure your space and use the lengths given above to calculate if there is enough cable for you.
If you have the power unit mounted above your Jeep we recommend 12 inches of clearance from your ceiling to your hard top. If you have a crank unit or a side wall mount it's 8 inches from ceiling to the hardtop. (These are the measurements as if your top was lifted completely.) Add the height of your top to know how much clearance you will have.
Yes. Hoist-A-Top can store your top all summer long. Double check that everything is mounted securely and all screws are tightened. Our units were designed with a self-locking mechanism. It will stay in place until you manually are lifting or lowering your top.
Our power unit can hold 400 Lbs. Our crank units can hold 440 Lbs. The Hoist-A-Cart can hold 200 Lbs.
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