Cabrio owners: What did you as a hoist for your hardtop?

[MC Hammered]

I'm planning to get some parts to build a hoist to lift and store my hardtop.

I was wondering if anyone else made their own and had any tips/tricks they could pass my way to make life easier for installing/removal of the hard top.

Thanks.

[///M42 sport]

Well, I loosen the attachment points, get inside the car, grab the top handles, make like I'm doing a squat in the back seat, then lift the hardtop with it balanced on my head, step outside the car very carefully so I don't damage the top or the car, still balanced on my head, once I have enough space to move around, I lower the hardtop so that it rests on my back so I look like a ninja turtle, then slowly lower it so the top is sitting just on the metal pins resting on the ground. Yeah, I'm a loser so I usually have to install and remove the top myself.

[Sean T Sat]

whered u guys manage to find a hard top?

[MC Hammered]

Well, I loosen the attachment points, get inside the car, grab the top handles, make like I'm doing a squat in the back seat, then lift the hardtop with it balanced on my head, step outside the car very carefully so I don't damage the top or the car, still balanced on my head, once I have enough space to move around, I lower the hardtop so that it rests on my back so I look like a ninja turtle, then slowly lower it so the top is sitting just on the metal pins resting on the ground. Yeah, I'm a loser so I usually have to install and remove the top myself.

If I tried this technique I'd probably would end up in the hospital

whered u guys manage to find a hard top?

I bought my hardtop and it came with a free car! =)

[GT BMW E30]

EBAY has them. plus the have a kart one. Due to me need other things first..I just store it in the corner of my garage on cardboard box for now.

[ethree]

How much do the garage hoist systems go for? I can't imagine you'll save much money over just buying one.

[MC Hammered]

Well I can get most of the parts at a local marine shop and buy a hand winch too.

I was hoping to get some advice on how people secured the hardtop to lift it.

[shmutzigE30]

just get a friend to help you move it and buy a stand for the summer...not that hard

[MC Hammered]

I have a stand sitting in a box but I would like to be able to take the hardtop on and off without assistance.

[SynSyx]

didnt they make an oem stand for the hardtop?

[Roberte]

This is what I did for my Mercedes... (Sorry no E30 content but the same principals should apply)

$70 winch from Harbor Freight




Built my own frame ~$50 in raw materials and a little know how...







Off the car..



I have a hard top stand that I bought ('cause I'm lazy) to store it on.

Oh yeah, the ball is so my wife can park her truck in the garage w/o hitting anything....

I don't like the sling type lifts as they have a tendancy to put a lot of pressure on the window gaskets and can crease them... Getting them installed correctly is tougher too.

[retardotyler]

mines sitting in the backyard. :loco:

[MC Hammered]

Thanks Roberte!!

I really like that solution you have and my guys can weld it up pretty quick.

[Wiglaf]

Well, I loosen the attachment points, get inside the car, grab the top handles, make like I'm doing a squat in the back seat, then lift the hardtop with it balanced on my head, step outside the car very carefully so I don't damage the top or the car, still balanced on my head, once I have enough space to move around, I lower the hardtop so that it rests on my back so I look like a ninja turtle, then slowly lower it so the top is sitting just on the metal pins resting on the ground. Yeah, I'm a loser so I usually have to install and remove the top myself.

awesome post, i just visualized this move. You were Donotello, hope you didn't want to be Raph.

Hardtops are so freaking expensive, I doubt I will ever manage to obtain one.

[Roberte]

Thanks Roberte!!

I really like that solution you have and my guys can weld it up pretty quick.

Glad to be some help. :up: