E-Z Top

[Gobird]

Has anyone on here preordered the ez top remover. And if so the man. or elect. They say they will be shipping preorders around the first week in Dec. Thinking about getting one but would like to know how well they work and fit up to the top Thanks

[yellowwing1]

Gobird, I ordered the manual one and can't wait to get it. The electric seemed a little steep ($)for me.

[FDCAPTAIN]

I ordered top kits from EZTop.

The very bad feeling you get when the top is dropped onto the paint is unforgetable.

The kit I ordered is with all the electrics and the individualy made top clamps (1 for the 2002 and 1 for th '56).

The other removal systems seem much more prone to let the top sway, and no matter which you buy, it is always safer to have two adults in removal or installation.

This company is builder/owner operated and each kit is hand welded. The last time I spoke with Emil he had over 100 on preorder.

[yellowwing1]

FDCAPTAIN, What a freightening thought!

[Gobird]

Thanks people, let me know how everything works when you get the Bird and the hoist together. The company I work for makes hoists but these are industrial type and way too much money for this type of thing.

[This message has been edited by Gobird (edited 11-27-2001).]

[2birdblue]

Try this web site for a top lift -less expensive, about $280 for electric www.topcaplift.com (http://www.topcaplift.com)

[gestes]

Emil with EZtop used my car to measure
for the new T-bird lift. I was very impressed with the detail he put into the measurements. He explained that making a lift was the easy part. Making sure the top is lifted and properly supported in a position that will not harm the top, if it was left in the stored position for long periods of time, was more his concern. The new T-bird top is one of the largest tops on the market and the lift points are not on the window edges, as this might cause the top to bow or spread over time. Not sure what design EZ-top ended with but I believe it is worth a little research.

[RACERROGER]

I was just about ready to order my electric top remover from EZ Top. Is anybody having problems with it or what it does to the car?

[chris_terrapin]

I've looked over websites for both EZ top and EZ Lift. Glad to hear that EZ Top has a car to work with. Seems like a big difference in price for the difference between straps and metal bars. I live in Houston and plan to go to EZ top to see the product for myself. I'll take some pictures and submit to the group. Is there someone in Ventura CA area that could do the same at EZ Lift?

[HeelBird]

Captain,

Do you have the web address for the EZ top? I found the one for the topcaplift from the old forum.

Thanks.

[FDCAPTAIN]

Heelbird,

The EZtop is at www.eztop.com (http://www.eztop.com)

Try the link above.

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'56 + '02 Birds

[HeelBird]

Thanks, Capt. Maybe Uncle Ed McMahon will bring me one for my '02 and '56!

[bigmac011]

My vote goes to www.topcaplift.com (http://www.topcaplift.com) I was on the phone with him on his dime 3 times and he took all the time I needed. his pricing is the best and does not complicate the process of lifting off the top. Ordered 2 electric lifts one for myself and one for my friend with a Blue Bird.

[lil55bird]

FDCaptain,
I noticed you live in the Denver area. I live in Colo. Spgs. When you get your EZTop, I would like to see it in operation. I'm tempted to buy the "sling & hoist" system for the Little Birds that CASCO sells for about $40. Why is EZTops hoist a better deal?

[FDCAPTAIN]

I have the sling type fro my '56.
In as much as my wife and I will be keeping both of the Birds for a long time,
we feel the handmade EZTop is the way to go for the long haul.
It is better for other reasons too.
If you leave your top on the sling or seat belt webing sling for any long period of time, it will dig into the rubber seals and fiberglass and the paint on the '56.
I imagine it will do the same to the '02.
I know the above from experience and there is NO removing the indentation of the web mark that results from hanging the top too long.
The second reason is control. The sling types tend to sway and if they slip you can drop one side into the paint. Also from experience.
Third, I want the electric hoist, good ones are about $300 and the hand made top adapter is built to last a long time and hold the top in place without damage to the paint/fiberglass or seals.
As I see the best in the business is EZTop. I found them using Altavista, not this BB.

I plan on getting mine in the Spring. When I do come on up and take a look.

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'56 + '02 Birds

[This message has been edited by FDCAPTAIN (edited 12-03-2001).]

[jodrod]

Move to top

[jodrod]

move to top

[SoCal Tbird]

EZ-top posted an update on 12/27. They say that they are still working on it. Can someone give me the dimensions of the hard top again? I am not sure if I have enough room in my garage to store it. Thanks.

[56Birdman]

Hey SCT,
With the hard top on the provided stand, the measurements are as follows:
20" deep
61" tall
68" wide
The top cart is well balanced, and is very easy to wheel around in the garage. I have mine in the middle of the garage, between ol' 56 and new 02. My 56 hardtop is hanging from the ceiling above the car. That top hasn't been used in the 10 years I've owned the car.
Hope the info helps.

[SoCal Tbird]

Thank you. Have a Happy New Year.

[b2bird]

I really like the design of the eztop but I have a question: what is the maximum clearance required for the ceiling mount, pulleys and hardtop? Is the best location for the hoist is in the center of a 2 car garage behind the door opener or over the Tbird? I am concerned that if the top stays on the lift that we would have to do the "limbo" to get around it. The other option would be to take if off the lift and store it on Ford's cart. We took the top off this weekend and we felt a bit of a panic when walking it back hoping to keep it away from the trunk's paint. We have not tried to put it back on yet. Not really looking forward to that!

[gestes]

OK,

This is a little before I was ready to reply but here goes. Saturday I had the EZ Top (electric) installed by Emil who is the owner of EZ Top. Remember, he used my top to
measure initially, then others.

The lift fits perfectly and I have no fears,
what so ever, of it dropping. It takes a little time to line everthing up but one
person can take the top off or put it on easily.

The cable spool that supports the load has it's own bracket an a reduction gear.
This allows a worm gear to do it's job
and reduces the stress on the motor shaft. The controls allow you to lift or lower the top with absolutly no jerks or jitters.

The top unit (claw)is perfectely balanced
and every lifting point is protected
with lambs wool.(my choice)
All other possible contacts points are
soft foam, but only one (1) 1" by 6" piece
comes into contact with the paint. The rest
are only there for our mistakes. Just a little care and we should never have a problem.

With the top hung the bottom is approx.
68" off my floor. A little limbo but I can use the exercise.

Wife and I both could tell that this product
is made with pride (Lots of it)
Emil said that he purchased everything from US mfg. except maybe (no supplier would verify) the nuts and bolts.

Pictures will be posted soon.

Neiman #225 last of the line

[BornAgain]

gestes,

You stated that the bottom of your top is 68" from the floor when in the hung position. The height of my garage ceiling is 11' 4". Since you are now an experienced installer, what is your estimate of the clearence I will have?

[b2bird]

Better yet, what is the vertical distance from the ceiling to the bottom of the top and what is the vertical distance from the ceiling to the bottom of an empty ezlift? That way we can tell regardless of ceiling height how much we need to practise the limbo...

[gestes]

I was measuring ceiling down whike you were
typing your request. (Great minds) 32" from
joist.

[gestes]

Originally posted by gestes:
I was measuring ceiling down while you were
typing your request. (Great minds) 32" from
joist.

[b2bird]

Another question: how difficult would it be to store the hardtop on its cart once it been lifted off the body and the Tbird moved out of the way? Could 2 people do this or would a 3rd be needed to work the manual lift? Would the top have to be lowered to the ground first?

[gestes]

Have not tried putting the top on the carrier yet but I dont think it would be
all that difficult. It would take some thought as when hung the top is a
balanced work of art.

I would think you would simply lower the
top all the way down alinging the rear
with the carrier as normal. One person would have to hold the front of the top while the other released the arms and then raised the
lift. Then both people could lift and position the top with ease.

By the way, I was able to put the hard top on today, alone in approx, 4 mins. (I do have the electric model, but this was the first time. PS. make sure you lean the seats forward before you start lowering. A small thing but important.
top

[DavidA]

Why put the seat's forward? Does the bracket system interfere with the seats?

[gestes]

The arms do intrude into the seats
space and although the top would
probably be able to put into position
why not avoid the risk of damage.

[BotNew56]

Got my top hoist from EZTop (www.Eztop.com) recently. Just finished installing it and it works really nice. This system is really well made and this model is especially engineered for the 2002 TBird. It took me about 4 hours total, and the instructions are very good. If you are not comfortable with locating studs and ceiling joints you might want to get a good carpenter to install it for you, but if you have any handyman skills it is not too hard.

My first time to have the hard top off. The convertible top and the tonneau cover worked just fine. Also got to drive it top down for a bit before this next spate of bad weather.

------------------
VIN 106587 White, White, with chrome hood scoop bezel

[hot'02,red&white]

I haven't seen the answer to the question about the lift being out of the way of the garage door opener. Has anyone noticed that this causes a problem?

[tr cruiser]

hot'02, I had a discussion with Bruce McMorris of TopCapLift about this subject and he relayed the following
Regarding the points in the ceiling that the lift attaches. After you
back the car into the garage you want to be able to position your body
behind the rear of the car 15-18 inches so you can operate the manual
lift. Our lifts are 2 line lifts so it goes up level and doesn't turn
about one point. The farthest attachment to the ceiling is a point a few
inches in front of the port holes on the top. The rear line is 39 inches
behind the front or just rear of the top. The farthest extension of the
top lift is at the front edge of the top itself.
I made the measurements and convinced myself that it should easily clear the garage door mechanism - and I have a very short garage. Now that I have the top off and stored away, however, I don't feel as urgent a need to get the hoist in place. http://www.fordthunderbirdforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

[jodrod]

hot'02,red&white,

I don't think I have you listed in the database, please see my thread "Database Info for the New Birds - post here". Thanks.

[BotNew56]

The EZTop clears my garage door opener OK. The instructions call for mounting the attachment point 36 inches behind the open edge of the door. Even with the lifting rack in the "open" position, which causes the rack to be a bit wider, it clears the door opener. I "stowed" the rack, that is, put it near the ceiling, in the open position.

------------------
VIN 106587 White, White, with chrome hood scoop bezel

[gestes]

I didn't think I would use the EZ-Top
lift very often, but since it is so easy
that I have had the top on and off 3 times
this month.
I would never have thought I would do that
much converting.
"Somtimes you just feel
like a top and sometimes you don't"

[BornAgain]

Received e-mail from Emil tonight. I ordered an E-Z Top on 02/05/02. He said that at this point in time that they were still filling January orders and that I was about #70 on the list. Said it would be about ready in 4 +/- weeks. Told him no problem, the wait for the top is nothing like it was for the Bird. This is just for info if anybody is considering ordering one of these tops.

[bluetbird2002]

I have heaard a lot of good things about EZ-Top. Where can I get specific ordering Info?

[bluetbird2002]

Please ignor the prior post http://www.fordthunderbirdforum.com/ubb/redface.gif

I spoke beffore thinking. i see the link in this thread. http://www.fordthunderbirdforum.com/ubb/frown.gif

[rlstonejr]

ok EZtop is highly recommended and expensive. Has anyone purchased the electric lift from topcap at $279?

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neiman vin#00035
delivered October 4, 2001

[Gobird]

http://www.fordthunderbirdforum.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Yes I have one. If you like I can email you pics of it.

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02 T-Bird 9293
69 Vette
73 MGB
97 F-150 4x4
2-Seadoo Jet Skies
a dog a cat and a couple hundred fish in my pond

[rlstonejr]

what is your opinion? my wife who is 5'-1", barely heavier than the hardtop and has some joint pain, tells me not to count on her to help with top removal/replacement anymore. I don't make the change very often and don't want to spend $800 if $300 solves the problem. Don't expect to store top in lift unless I'm certain no long term damage will result. any opinions cheerfully accepted.

------------------
neiman vin#00035
delivered October 4, 2001

[Gobird]

The top can be a chore to take off and on. We can and have done it but the hoist makes life a lot easier. And no I wouldn't leave the top stored on the hoist for a long period of time. I don't think it matters with either hoist you would buy. The top hoist would or may leave marks on the weather striping and the EZ hoist from what I've read here can pull your headliner lose from the port hole windows, this is just what I've heard from reports on this board. I don't think either one is for premanent storage, but they will help get the top off and then lower it to the floor so you can use the stand to store it on.

------------------
02 T-Bird 9293
69 Vette
73 MGB
97 F-150 4x4
2-Seadoo Jet Skies
a dog a cat and a couple hundred fish in my pond

[rlstonejr]

so that means you would recommend the cheaper option? In other words you are not unhappy with your purchase? thanks for the input.

------------------
neiman vin#00035
delivered October 4, 2001

[Gobird]

http://www.fordthunderbirdforum.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Yes, I am well satisfied with what I have. Like I said I could Email pics of mine installed if you would like to see them, but I need an email address that you could send me thru my email if you like.

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02 T-Bird 9293
69 Vette
73 MGB
97 F-150 4x4
2-Seadoo Jet Skies
a dog a cat and a couple hundred fish in my pond

[greyfox11]

Originally posted by Gobird:
http://www.fordthunderbirdforum.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Yes, I am well satisfied with what I have. Like I said I could Email pics of mine installed if you would like to see them, but I need an email address that you could send me thru my email if you like.



Pics of the TopCap lift are in the accessories folder.

[rlstonejr]

thanks for the help, will be ordering soon.

------------------
neiman vin#00035
delivered October 4, 2001

[57 bluebird]

I had bought a very cheap hoist for my '55 Thunderbird. It did cause some damage to the top because I left it in the hoist all summer. I never weighed the top but it seemed to be about the same weight as the '02 top. I bought it from Larrys Thunderbird in Calif. for $32.00 (almost anyone selling "littlebird" parts sell them) It is a very simple hoist consisting of 2 small pulleys, 2 nylon straps and a nylon rope. It looks weak but worked fine on the '55, just not meant for long storage. I think the most important part would be how it is secured to the garage. Also you still,kind of need 2 people, 1 can lift it ok but an extra hand is helpful to steady it, mostly when putting the top on, to line it up. By the way, I won't be using it on the '02 because I am storing the top in my daughters cellar and her husband will be helping to remove the top.

------------------
2002 Black/Black/Full Red
1957 Starmist Blue
1981 Shay ('55 Reproduction)(just sold it)

[57 bluebird]

I had purchased a very cheap hardtop hoist for my '55 Bird, two years ago. It worked fine but did do some minor damage the top, my fault, because I left it in the hoist all summer, otherwise it did the job. I got mine from Larry's Thunderbird in California, for $32.00. It consists of 2 small pulleys, 2 (3"? wide)nylon slings, a nylon rope and a tie-down anchor. The most important part would be how you secure it to the garage rafters. You still really need 2 people, 1 person can lift it or lower it without any problem, but the extra hands to keep it steady and lined up, mostly when lowering it, is needed. I don't know about the better lifts, but I would think they have the same problem, because unless you are excatly stright under the hoist, once it is lifted, the top will swing. Also lining it up when you are putting the top back on, is a little tuff for 1 person. I will not be using this on the '02 bird, only because I will be storing the top in my daughters cellar and I will have the help of her husband to get it off and take it down stairs (I have to help him with his Boxter top). At the present time I don't have a garage.
This is not a plug for Larry's and you can buy this hoist from almost any "little bird" parts dealer, but here is their phone number if you want to call them 1-800-854-0393 and ask about it or buy it.

------------------
2002 Black/Black/Full Red
1957 Starmist Blue
1981 Shay ('55 Reproduction)(just sold it)

[57 bluebird]

I had purchased a very cheap hardtop hoist for my '55 Bird, two years ago. It worked fine but did do some minor damage the top, my fault, because I left it in the hoist all summer, otherwise it did the job. I got mine from Larry's Thunderbird in California, for $32.00. It consists of 2 small pulleys, 2 (3"? wide)nylon slings, a nylon rope and a tie-down anchor. The most important part would be how you secure it to the garage rafters. You still really need 2 people, 1 person can lift it or lower it without any problem, but the extra hands to keep it steady and lined up, mostly when lowering it, is needed. I don't know about the better lifts, but I would think they have the same problem, because unless you are excatly stright under the hoist, once it is lifted, the top will swing. Also lining it up when you are putting the top back on, is a little tuff for 1 person. I will not be using this on the '02 bird, only because I will be storing the top in my daughters cellar and I will have the help of her husband to get it off and take it down stairs (I have to help him with his Boxter top). At the present time I don't have a garage.
This is not a plug for Larry's and you can buy this hoist from almost any "little bird" parts dealer, but here is their phone number if you want to call them 1-800-854-0393 and ask about it or buy it.

------------------
2002 Black/Black/Full Red
1957 Starmist Blue
1981 Shay ('55 Reproduction)(just sold it)

[57 bluebird]

sorry to post twice but it didn't show up on the day i posted it