Looking for ideas- Hardtop Lift

[WakonTonka]

I want to store the removable hardtop from the 500 SL up near the ceiling in the garage. It is quite light (aluminum) so that two normal people can easily lift it off the car and carry it clear. My plan is to weld a frame to place the top on. Then attach the frame to a lifting assembly which will safely lift it and latch it. I know a pulley arrangement could be rigged, think I saw an example here- but this is one load that would be devilishly expensive to drop !!

Electric winches sound good, but I see the HF 440# capacity model does not fare so well in the ratings. The webbing type hand cranked winches might work so....

Ideas or recommendations for a pulley, or winch arrangement?

 

[bams50]

'bing' is your friend Here's a few from a quick search:

http://www.hoistlifts.com/hard-top-hoist/mercedes/

http://www.topcaplift.com/

http://www.top-hoist.com/

 

[MrSnicks]

You might want to check out a couple Jeep forums. People with hard tops on their Jeep Wranglers have been doing this for years and have come up with all kinds of ideas.

Patrick

 

[WakonTonka]

Thanks guys.

The Links: I checked 'em all out, it seems like my initial ideas (& one I built to tip a rather heavy utility trailer on its tail & do it safely) is the general idea common to all the designs.

Hand winch, proper harness for the top, well anchored pulleys- bam.

This build has to work correctly the very first time I lift the top up. Of course I will put a dummy load on for testing.....

It may not be built for a few months (still moving in and the interior of the house takes priority over the garage) but when I get 'er done, I will post some photos.

 

[RHD 4 LIFE]

 

[SGKent]

lots of ways. A CJ7 top we used some conduit so it was made like an H with the front side of the H smaller then holes in the end with S hooks and ropes between the S hooks. It was too tall to hang so we used a platform with rollers to set it on and move it about. Dogs thought it was a great hang out on rainy days but they never did even nose the glass - I guess they just pretended they were on a cruise or had dreams of cruises gone by. It really doesn't require anything over engineered but do make sure your rope and hooks are designed for at least the weight they will carry. We just used a small block and tackle and tied the rope to a boat cleat bolted to the studs so there is no need for an electric wench.

 

[WakonTonka]

Thanks for these photos and your solution to the same problem!

I decided to collect as many as I can, then tease my design out of that dataset. I promise not to over design the thing! (but it will be strong enough for sure!)

Anybody else who has some ideas or pics, please send them along. There could be a better or novel way of doing something in one of them, even though overall the designs are rather similar.