need a way to pull off hardtop by myself..any suggestions?

[2001 Sapphire Blue]

Usually when I want to go for a spin on the spur of a moment without the top my wife is never home to help. I've thought about trying to get in the car and use my head and hands to lift, but I'm scared ****less that I'm going to drop it or scratch the paint. I know there are fancy lifts out there, but I'm looking for something simple. Anybody try anything that works without investing too much? (I prefer to use my money on mods).

 

[Vipersrule]

I'm 6'5" so it might not work for you, but I can get the hard top off by grabbing the front and back side and just pulling it back - right foot on the drivers floorboard. Pretty easy to remove, but I'd NEVER try to put it back on by myself.

It's just a matter of getting it pulled off - it's really not that heavy, just bulky.

You might have your wife spot you a couple of times and try it yourself to get comfortable. I had to do it myself a few times before I felt that I wouldn't scratch anything.

More of a technique than anything else...

Other than that try searching the archives - I remember seeing a whole bunch of pulley ideas and sling type stuff. But that stuff actually scares me more than having it in my own hands - they seem bulky and manage to take up a lot of room.

The big advantage to some of the pulley ones I've seem discussed is that you can theoretically put the top back on yourself.

Good hunting...

 

[2001 Sapphire Blue]

I'm 6'5" so it might not work for you, but I can get the hard top off by grabbing the front and back side and just pulling it back - right foot on the drivers floorboard. Pretty easy to remove, but I'd NEVER try to put it back on by myself.

It's just a matter of getting it pulled off - it's really not that heavy, just bulky.

You might have your wife spot you a couple of times and try it yourself to get comfortable. I had to do it myself a few times before I felt that I wouldn't scratch anything.

More of a technique than anything else...

Other than that try searching the archives - I remember seeing a whole bunch of pulley ideas and sling type stuff. But that stuff actually scares me more than having it in my own hands - they seem bulky and manage to take up a lot of room.

The big advantage to some of the pulley ones I've seem discussed is that you can theoretically put the top back on yourself.

Good hunting...

Thanks, If I were only 5" taller it sounds like it might be doable.

 

[TOOOFST]

TOOEASY.pop up one side and slide a good size towel under,go around and toss a towel on the seat(you'll need to stand there for leverage,pop up and away.

 

[Roadkill]

Hmm.. I am 5'11" and i remove/ replace mine all the time by myself.. It isn't heavy just a bit awkward. I lean over the tranny **** towards the passenger seat after unbolting, lift with my back and just turtle it on into the garage.. reverse procedure for reinstalling.. done it at least a dozen times or more.

 

[ViperJoe]

How about the neighbors wife :-0 LOL!!!!

 

[slaughterj]

I'm 5'9" and not exactly buff, but I virtually always put mine on and remove it by myself - you can unlock it, and while in the car (learn how to position yourself, not fully seated), you can lift up on it and away you go - might want to try this with a "spotter" a couple times to avoid tilting and scratching.

 

[MannyC]

Same here -- easy to remove and install by myself. I'm curious why I have so many scratches on it though. Hmmm. Kidding!

 

[FE 065]

I'm 6'3" and I used to just lift it off. Putting it on, I used to lay a towel over the sportbar and windshield to keep the prongs from scratching the paint until things were lined up.

 

[Clifton Viper]

I'm just putting thje finishing touches on a lift system I made using a hoist and some electrical PVC conduit.

I bought a hoist from Harbor Freight ($79) and installed it on the wall of the garage and attached a pulley on the ceiling directly above the RT/10.

I cut 2 pieces of 1.5" diameter PVC / Conduit down to 18" and cut a 1" thick strip to create a "C" if you looked at them on end. The pieces of PVC fit snugly under the rim of the RT/10 top above each window.

I then threaded some 1/8" wire through the PVC (drilled a hole at each end) to attach them to the hook on the end of the hoist.

I am temporarily using some flannel covered vinyl to protect the top from being scratched but will develop something more permanent.

All I have to do is drive under the hoist, attach the "PVC Channels" and raise the hoist until there is some tension. Undo the latches and activate the hoist... voila.

Total cost was about $100 and 8 hours of labor.

So far so good.

 

[italian1nj]

It is easier then we think. I sit in the drivers seat, unhook everything, put right hand in the center of the roof, grab the drivers side edge with my left hand and step out of the car. It is a lot lighter then I thought it would be so it shouldn't be a problem for you. Good luck.

 

[MR VENOM]

Move to California....leave the top off.

 

[Newport Viper]

Move to Hawaii..... leave the top off. Hot here 89/ sunny

 

[Ratech]

Try using a bike storage lift. It has two pulleys that attach to the ceiling and uses a nylon cord to raise and lower the top. Cost $10-$50. You can leave it suspended close to the ceiling for storage.

 

[2001 Sapphire Blue]

It is easier then we think. I sit in the drivers seat, unhook everything, put right hand in the center of the roof, grab the drivers side edge with my left hand and step out of the car. It is a lot lighter then I thought it would be so it shouldn't be a problem for you. Good luck.

Hey, that sounds easy. I never thought of doing it that way. I'll give it a try. Thanks!

 

[2001 Sapphire Blue]

Move to Hawaii..... leave the top off. Hot here 89/ sunny

Been there.....can't afford the housing..of course I want a beach front!

 

[2001 Sapphire Blue]

Hmm.. I am 5'11" and i remove/ replace mine all the time by myself.. It isn't heavy just a bit awkward. I lean over the tranny **** towards the passenger seat after unbolting, lift with my back and just turtle it on into the garage.. reverse procedure for reinstalling.. done it at least a dozen times or more.

That's definately something I haven't tried. Turtling creates a vivid picture...Thanks!

 

[2001 Sapphire Blue]

How about the neighbors wife :-0 LOL!!!!

Neither one looks good enough to help me, but thanks anyway!

 

[2001 Sapphire Blue]

I'm just putting thje finishing touches on a lift system I made using a hoist and some electrical PVC conduit.

I bought a hoist from Harbor Freight ($79) and installed it on the wall of the garage and attached a pulley on the ceiling directly above the RT/10.

I cut 2 pieces of 1.5" diameter PVC / Conduit down to 18" and cut a 1" thick strip to create a "C" if you looked at them on end. The pieces of PVC fit snugly under the rim of the RT/10 top above each window.

I then threaded some 1/8" wire through the PVC (drilled a hole at each end) to attach them to the hook on the end of the hoist.

I am temporarily using some flannel covered vinyl to protect the top from being scratched but will develop something more permanent.

All I have to do is drive under the hoist, attach the "PVC Channels" and raise the hoist until there is some tension. Undo the latches and activate the hoist... voila.

Total cost was about $100 and 8 hours of labor.

So far so good.

Sounds a little complicated for someone as mechanically challenged as myself. Do you make house calls?

 

[2001 Sapphire Blue]

TOOEASY.pop up one side and slide a good size towel under,go around and toss a towel on the seat(you'll need to stand there for leverage,pop up and away.

That sounds like the easiest way yet. The towel method would keep the hinges out of their holes. I'm going home to try it today! Muchos Grassyass!

 

[ruckdr]

For Gen 1 hard tops, and perhaps early Gen 2, (not sure about the Gen 2), that have the bolts permanently installed that screw into the sport bar, cut a piece (2) of rubber hose that has the same inside diameter as the bolt diameter. Cut the length so as to fit between the bolt head and the top, about 2 inches, Split the hose length wise and put it on the bolts to hold them out, so as not to scratch the sport bar when installing the top.
I do mine by myself; on and off.
Later,