Need help building a hoist for the hardtop

[dan1520]

I'm thinking about building a manual hoist in my garage for the hardtop on my Bird so I can pull it up & hang it from the garage ceiling. I can buy one for $189.00 from ebay but when looking at the system, it seems like one can be built from scratch using Home Depot materials.

Anyone built one? If so, I'd appreciate any advice, plans, pictures, etc.

Thanks

Dan

[jimbeck]

I bought an electric unit about 2 years ago and it is handy indeed. However IMHO it still helps if you have two people. Unless your car is positioned EXACTLY correct the top will try to swing as soon as it breaks free. When reinstalling you will have to wrestle with the top to get it aligned correctly so as to not cause damage. Personally I think a manual hoist would make the job even more difficult without help. Harbor Freight has an electric hoist that you can get for about $60.00 on sale. That is the same hoist that all of these systems offered for sale on the net use. I think it is worth the dough.

Jim