Jeep Hard Top Removal
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- My boyfriend rigged this up for me last summer. 4 Ratchet straps, (700lbs each strap) secured from my ceiling joist by galvanized metal T-type "T & L Strap Ties". The top part of the T was attached to the joist above the drywall and then a thin slit cut in through the ceiling for the bottom of T part to slide neatly through which holds the hook of the strap. All for an extremely low price of $35.00 canadian. Once I shut off the camera I neatly wrapped up the hanging cords and zap strapped them up.
The clanking sound you hear when I drove in is the aerial hitting the top. I have since raised the roof a tad higher to compensate.
That's got to be the cutest how-to video I have ever seen. You running around with your little stool is terrific!
Ive been looking online for some type of hoist for about 2 months. Seeing the price range is about $129-$300. I watched your video this morning, went to lowes and spent $17 on a 4 pack of straps & 4 eyelet screws, came home and installed it in about 15 mins. Top is off!! Thanks for the idea!!
My 6 year old daughter saw me watching your video and she said "wooooow, she is sooooo pretty" I went to walmart and grabbed a portable 2000lb winch for around $60. I added some cable pulley's and came across a guy who didn't want his hoist anymore because it came as a manual. I lucked out. So far, I only got about $90 in the entire set up. It's more than your strap idea, which is great, but I had to go for electric. I will have to post a video of mine here soon so other people can get an idea
very simple and it works. I did something similar, but used an old wide tow strap (cut into two pieces). I looped them under the top on each side from door to rear and attached them all at a central point above the top. I connected a cable through a pulley attached at the ceiling. The cable runs to one "come a long" ratchet (that I attached to a floor plate-stud). The only benefit over your system is that only one ratchet is involved, and it lifts all the way to the ceiling.
I use these if I drown my dirtbike. Lift front wheel and drain water from pipe. Great idea. And cute video. I'm a foot person so liked watching you climb the stool..! Very nice jeep...
That is the neatest idea! That was sweet of your boyfriend to do that for you. Wish I had one who made one for me. I also wish I had a Jeep. LOL!
Great idea! Just took of top of my 2011 Rubicon and needed the neighbor to help me. Figured there had to be a better way - too bad I didn't look here first! Going to install eyes and ratchets net weekend.
Simple yet effective. I have been reviewing various lifts all morning when I came across your video. Seems like the easiest and cheapest way to go. Thanks for sharing!
Great to see, I have just been looking at a Hoist, as I live in Australia, the price starts at $475 for a manual to $600 for a elect one. I am now heading to the hardware store to buy some good ratchet straps & give this a try. I'll tell you how I go.
I just wanted to thank you :) I used your idea and it works so good. No more struggling with the top when im alone.
I also use the tiedown strap system for hanging my 06 Unl Rubicon from the ceiling. I live in Vegas and run the soft top fall, winter and spring (weather is pretty mild then). Due to summer heat the hard top goes back on. I've had the top hanging for up to 8 months without any issues. One thing I do different, I have a 2x4 board that runs under the front of the top, left to right, which the top sits on. Eye bolts are used to hook the tiedowns into. Stops the sides of the top from flexing.
This is really an ingenious idea. I'm definitely going to consider rigging something like this in my garage as I'm looking to get a Jeep with a hard top in a few years.
Great idea thanks for posting. Going to Home Depot tomorrow to get the eye bolts and straps. Your attitude totally matches your vehicle.
thank you Stephen. Good luck with your set up
Very nice invention!!! I hope u enjoyed your day and plenty more with the top off!!!
Eureka!! What an excellent way to take the top off without hurting your back. Space saving as well, well done excellent ingenuity. Gonna install this in my garage this weekend...
Thank you...it was so easy to do too. Just be sure you are careful on the down.
Installed. Lifting was easy but the lowering part was very tricky. Great idea tho but maybe some sort of a hoist would ease the process...
Love the setup! Nice, simple and in-expensive. Smart Girl!
Thank you Roberto
Nice rig, really like the simplicity of it all. Just ordered one of these and was concerned about storing the hard top but this looks like an excellent solution! Thanks for the idea :P
Thank you for sharing this.... the T-type "T & L Strap Ties" are a much better design than the other solutions/designs (lag bolts, 2x4s, etc.) I have seen elsewhere on TH-cam.
BTW: Nice Jeep --- almost as nice as mine (just kidding LOL).
Thank you again and best wishes.
Great video! Simple and easy. It's always a pain rounding up a few people to take the top off. Thanks
Once again I can not thank you enough for taking the time to make your video.
just a helpful idea. IN MY JEEP (some don't have them), under the hard top there is black metal loop. I use this same system but I hook the straps to those metal loops. The loops are right above where the passenger door is, kinda where a seatbelt would go.
is it bad that a small part of me was like.. hey thats an improper step stool.. fall.. fall.. FALL!! HAHA sorry but pretty wicked set up!
This is my 2nd season of using this method, no warping issues at all. I do not constantly leave it hanging for months at a time. The roof goes back on when raining out. To lower the roof I place the fronts first and them with a rolled up towel to protect the edge of vehicle I slowyl lower the back. It comes down fast at times and that is why the rolled towel is there. So that it does not damage the roof or edge of jeep. You really have to be alert and ready on the downing of the back.
I am about to get my Jeep 🚙 and this is an awesome idea!!!! Thanks for posting this
You are so very welcome. Enjoy your jeep.
Nice work, btw your jeep looks like a brand new one, very well maintained.
thanks, I am borrowing from you and others and doing the same Hard Top Hoist.
Thank you for the information and demonstration.
you could put tennis balls or something like them on the end of each pulley strap to line it up when ur backing up to put the top back on so when ur inbetween all 4 ur right in place
Awesome! Glad to hear that you have more time for other things now.
👌😎👍that is awesome! That's exactly what I want to do in my garage! And for me it should be a lot easier because mine is two doors! Great job 👏 👍 👌
absolutely perfect. AND it doesnt spin out of control like the hoists do!
Great job on the video SG, I'll be using your design to base mine off of once I get my JKU.
Very cool! Just got a '12 Rubicon....I will build this! Thanks for posting!
Very good design on your own, I too will use that. I like creative mods... thanks for sharing..
Thank you for the post. I have 3 small girls and no good way to get the top off til now:))
Nice vid! You should make another video to accompany this one with you putting the top back on!
Thanks so much. The idea to hang it in the first place was mine. I was originally looking at hoists and then found out they were too expensive, Then was thinking of some type of pulley system and together we came up with this version.
pretty awesome idea lady, Simple and very effective two thumbs up !!!!!!!
So I attempted your way but on my JL there’s no where safe to grab the S hooks?? So decided to actually only use two ratchets in the front but run them through the Jeep to the back. Then attach rear hooks to ceiling & ratchet up.
I was wondering the same for my JL
That's great; looks tiring to do one corner at a time; I think it's a bit shaky when releasing them tie-downs to lower the roof back in place... I al suggest the use of pulley, rope/cable and 2x4 or steel rods to lift/lower the roof evenly and under controlled. What you have is a nice way to go; much better than having 3-4 people to do the work and risk of dropping the roof.
Nice, thanks for sharing, stilettogrrrl. Sorry the sons are a might caught up with their lives, but nice to have a man as handy as you do to do your set up. I had a '90 Wrangler, soft top--looking at used Wrangler Sports for my next ride, the 4.0L with that inline 6. Been thinking I would prefer a hard top this time--I know they are built better as far as ride goes now, and did enjoy going topless in so brief a time, but those plastic windows--and the noise. Garage makes all the difference now
"vertically challenged" LOL! Thanks for posting, it's a good video! I'm not sure if anyone posted this earlier, but you said you sometimes have trouble when pulling-in in reverse. Have your boyfriend hang a tennis ball from the ceiling for you to use as an indicator when parking your jeep backwards...
Great job for getting the hardtop off by yourself. Use a small step ladder for safer ratcheting. I think they sell small rubber mats with parking blocks that can be glued to the floor to help people park in their garage without crashing into the wall. Those same mats could help you place your Jeep in the exact spot you need in order to put the hardtop back on. Find a better ratcheting system or hoist that makes softer lowering/landing of the hardtop.
I think the front straps should go at the back door in the corner that will probably give you a better balanced lift and less pressure on the front part
But this is a great idea thanks for sharing
thank you so much for this video,.,.,. I have been thinking and thinking of the easiest way to do this by myself ,.,.,. super smart ,.,. god bless,.,.,. your friend from Baja
I have 2, a german shepherd and a standard poodle. I tie mine in so they cannot reach the edge. I also hike dogs for a living and when I have client dogs I do not remove the top. You could loop a short leash through the posts of your head rests (the 2 center posts) and test to make sure that your dog does not reach the edge. If so, he could hang himself if he were to jump. Hope that helps.
Excellent answer to an annoying problem!
Any concerns with warping the top at the front lip? Maybe two more straps mid-way after its raised a bit would distribute the weight more evenly.
Great job Anne!
Would be good if I could get a closer look at where you are hooking the straps too.
I just purchased a new 2012 Unlimited Rubicon. Took your idea, implemented it and want to thank you because it is a perfect solution and far less expensive and far less space occupying than the stand on wheels that MOPAR sells for storing the tops.
One question, how long at a stretch have you left the hard top hanging in the garage. Have you heard if there would be any harm to leave them hanging for prolonged periods of time?
If you are looking to get a work out up and down the stool all the time that is a cool inexpensive system. For a few $ more check the Hoister!
available from Ultimate Truck in Milwaukee WI for $129.00. The Hoister is safer for lowering the top back on the vehicle also. Cheers
pretty cool set up... but I would just get a soft top for the summer , that way you only take the hard top off once in the spring and back on in the fall plus you have a garage so you could probably leave your soft top down most of the time
U can use some red tape @ the rear driver side tire for a refferance point and a red brick on the same side at the back tire as a wheel chock when backing up. I do the same when I hook up my boat.
The top is not too heavy. Can hold a corner at the same time of releasing a strap and let it down slowly. I find it easy to control the let down.
I have both tops but have never used the soft top. I installed it to make sure it was not damaged and decided to pack it back up. I do not like the room it takes up when it is in the down position. It takes up the room that my dogs need.
I been so interested with Jeeps Wranglers lately especially when I got into a car accident with a person that had a Jeep Wrangler last week.. I had a 2007 Toyota Camry and the other driver had a Jeep Wrangler 2 doors and he had like these guards and when we crashed, there was only a little scratch on his guards. On the other hand.. my Camry totally got wrecked. Then I thought Wranglers are pretty sturdy!!!
I built one just like this for my 2 DR. For 30 bucks in parts, you can't beat it.
Great idea, it's my next project. simple but effective. Thanks for sharing.
Very creative, nice job!
@BobzartG Each corner wants to drop quickly so be careful to open the strap hardware slowly, keeping it ready to close. I place a rolled up towel where the hit point will be so I do not damage anything. Works great for me. good luck.
She's so cute! This a smart setup tho. and putting it back on would seem as easy!
That is awesome MrBeechwood911.... i knew you would figure out the position of the straps, just remember to wrap the straps up that are dangling down. I cant imagine going 2 yrs without the top off. My sons used to help me with it, but I needed my independence. Did your jeep come with the soft top too? Mine did, but I have never used it.
Yes I have the soft top, but as I live in a rural area, really did not have anyone to help me get the top off. I live about 50 kilometres inland from Port Macquarie on the mid north coast of New South Wales, Australia. It is about 5 hours drive up the coast from Sydney. I don't know if I will put the soft top on, I like the look without it. You can get what they call a bikini top, that can be rolled up small & can be put on very quick if it rains, or you have had enough sun for the day.
Great invention!
Now i just have to buy a wrangler, a garage big enough, with sturdy roof, and tools! :p lol
No seriously, it is nice, i should have invented that!
@xxravenn43xx I do not keep my top suspended for lengthy amounts of time. 3 weeks max maybe twice a season. Doubt that will be an issue.
thank you for the video. i just made one today for my tj wrangler. best idea ever! i am not sure how to get it down. haha, can you make a video on how to get it down with the ratchets> thanks. and i am problably gonna keep it there untill winter time. do you think it should be okay hanging from the studs?
Cute! That worked well! Still a lot of work through... Putting it back on I guess would be a bit more tricky to back up perfectly...
Looks great; nice and simple!!
@RoadRashRiver It took Bob about 30 minutes to slice through the ceiling and place the T-type metal.
How do you get it down? I've seen these videos before but no one shows how to get it down. Ratchets don't ratchet down.
Its not hard..as long as you have the good type of ratchet straps its easy to just use one hand and release the one side at a time
@@spaz0303 Ratchet straps DONT "ratchet down" !!!!!!
Truth - that was my exact thought and why I watched this video hoping they would show that. I’d like to get the roof a bit higher like maybe about 10”-12” so its not right in the way in the middle of my garage!
The top is NOT heavy...just cumbersome because it is big...but letting one side down at a time is not difficult.
I can't tell where you hooked it in the back? I don't see where to on mine? Hmmmm?
I'm sure you have, but a small step ladder would probably be better for you and safer, Nicejob. Maybe a small leveler would help, so you can see that the weight is evenly distributed. Good Idea,
I liked the Jeep, work, and I really liked you.
I have only had it off for about 4 weeks. No I have heard nothing about prolonged hanging periods. The weight is distributed evenly and would be the same as if using the hoist system that costs upwards of 600.00 to install. If you have concerns, then I think you should ask your local jeep dealer or just not hang for too long. I totally trust that nothing will warp my roof nor that it will fall.
that was AWESOME!!!!!!!! Cant wait to do this!! Thanks for Sharing!!
@donnalynnk38 It is the 08 Sahara Unlimited. River Rock Red, I believe is what it is called. Enjoy your new ride, they are so much fun.
Would have been funny if you said "be right back" and then left us sitting there watching the top gently swing until the camera battery ran out.
Not one of us would blame you. Well done video and thanks.
@stilettogrrrl That's pretty cool. The new ones sure have tons of features that the older ones don't. I wanted another Wrangler but just got a Grand Cherokee a few weeks ago and love it. It has the 4.7 V8 in it so I get about 13mpg lol (I know what you mean about gas mileage) although nobody gets a Jeep for the gas mileage :)
Good Set-up. I would go get a small folding step stool.
I borrowed your idea. Works great!
I make sure the forecast is for clear skies before I head out. I have gotten caught in the rain once, it was very refreshing and fun. Jeeps are built to take it.
You need a step ladder before you fall off that stool!!!!
Also consider getting much longer straps, running them through eyelets to one area on the wall, then you'll be able to winch all four corners without running around or standing on that stool.
Now That's what I'd call Creativity in motion.
you guys are geniuses! you should turn this awesome idea into a product. let me know if you are interested. I have access to auto part manufactures. thanks for the video. i'm making one for my new rubicon with slight modification to your solution. you guys rock!
How did it do that? As you can see by my video, the way that I lifted mine, it is impossible to flip. If little ole 5'3" me can do it. Not sure how a top can flip over using this process nor how it can jump out of your garage and onto the driveway stones.
if you installed two pullys at the top, joining rear and front you could do that whole job in like 30 seconds, i like the set up though, beats lifting it on your own
JEEP looks sharp. Where did you buy the chrome door handles and the bug guard? Are they easy to install? What other extra's are on the jeep? Good video
I,m sorry, I was asking about where you hook on the the roof of the Jeep, I have a 2009 4 door.
Great video. Thanks for posting!
All winter i've been wondering were to store my hard top. I have the staps getting the host this weekend hard top will be off by Saterday And stored away ......WOOT!!!!
For $50 I built a block and tackle lift using a 5 foot long 2x4 on the bottom and a short 2x4 attached to the ceiling of my garage. I loop 2 cam buckle straps on either side of the roof from the point where the rear door meets the roof and out the rear window. The 5 foot piece of lumber slides through the 2 straps. I put an eye bolt on each end of the 2x4 and ran the straps through them to keep the straps from sliding during the lift. I can stand in one spot and lift the top with 1 hand. After lifting, I secure the rope and the top is safely stored at the ceiling.
G Mose could you send me a pic of your set up for taking off your hard top?....thanks for your time, Donna
would love to see what that looks like too G Mose.
Can you please send me a picture of this set up?
@MarineAgainstTerror How do I like the jeep or hardtop? I love the jeep (wish it was easier on gas though) and the hardtop I love because it is the 3 way top. I can take the 2 panels out and make it like an open t-roof. Great for when it may rain in a few hours and you dont want to have to take off the whole thing
I believe the colour name is River rock red. It is a burgundy with gold fleck.
Great video! You should set up extra stools at the hook locations so you don't have to keep carrying the stool around the Jeep. ;-)
@MarineAgainstTerror I love the older jeeps as well. My jeep came with both tops but I only have used the hard one.
@luisantonioorte Believe me, that hardtop is not falling at any time. Each of those straps holds 900lbs.
So, the two front hooks connect good? They look like they would just slide off. I'll have to check my top. I'm also planning on doing the same setup. Thanks.
awesome idea. Good job.
It would be a little easier if maybe changed the eye bolt on the ceiling to pulleys and then over against the wall put 4 more pulleys and make like a 3 and 1 system and a boat cleat on the wall around chest height so all you have to do is put your hooks on then go over and undo the rope from the cleat pull it up (it will be very easy with a 3in1 pulley system) then tie it off on the cleat so you won't have to do all that walking around.
Great idea, thank you for the video
LOL nice! damn you got some cougar in you xD
Well done. Does your driveway run directly into the interstate? It sounds like cars are flying past out there.