Hoists for removing hard top

RatLabGuy

RatLabGuy

You look like a monkey and smell like one too
Joined
May 18, 2005
Location
Churchville, MD
Its that time of year again when the top comes off the old 4Runner, and I cuss and bitch about the process of getting it on and off.
I've done the ratchet strap method previously, but I'm ready for something to really get it lifted up high and out of the way.
Curious what kind of contraptions people have used.

I'm thinking of either getting 2 sets of these double-pulley systems, or maybe just buy 4 separate block/tackle sets, and running a single line through both sets, then using a HF electric winch ($50 on sale) to pull it up and down. Then I'll also conveniently have the winch mounted so I could use it for lifting other things like the mower front end etc.
https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Max-...rd_wg=kDxxy&psc=1&refRID=SR6KNKBK1RP3J7J2G9RS

The thing I can't wrap my head around is how/whether all 4 would stay balanced/pull up at the same rate if the load were not perfectly evenly distributed (which it isn't, its definitely heavier in the back). In other words if I use a single rope through all 4, is there anything preventing the ones with the least weight under them from just lifting up first?
Clearly there is a physics lesson I skipped :Do_O
 
The quickest way I found to remove a top from a C4 was to drive without it latched.
Not sure if that would work on a first gen 4runner.
You didn't mention if you wanted to ever put it back on, so I assumed you didnt.....

Disregard if said top wants to be used again...
 
Those double-pulley systems use one rope per pulley, so two ropes for a double pulley system. That's why there's no uneven lifting rate. The tension on the ropes will not be even if the load is not even, but the rate of lifting is fixed by the pulley and ropes (rope stretch may affect things). Look carefully at the pictures you posted from Amazon; there are two ropes exiting the frame/rail, and one rope per pulley.

Worse case, replace the ropes with a decent static rope from a climbing store or REI. It's round, comes in fun colors, and the small sizes are sold by the foot for pretty cheap. I doubt you'll find dynamic ropes in sizes that small (dynamic ropes are big sizes and are meant to absorb the shock load of a person falling while climbing), but make sure they're static ropes.
Anyway, this will not increase the lifting capacity, it will only reduce the rope stretch.

If you wanted to use two sets of double-pulley systems with a winch, you would feed all 4 ropes into something common (like a bar with holes or whatever) and then attach the winch line to that. The nice thing about that is you can adjust the length of the individual lines where they meet the bar if needed.

There was someone on here who was just selling a hard top lift very recently.... and the winch looks exactly like the 4xx pound Harbor Freight winches from any number of offshore brands. I think the only work involved is making spreader bars or a frame or whatever to index to your top if you wanted, to make something like the Jeep lifts for your non-Jeep.
Hard Top Hoist $325 OBO
 
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Leave it unbolted during a hurricane. That got the top off of my CJ once in NC. :eek: All joking aside...

RatLabGuy said:
The thing I can't wrap my head around is how/whether all 4 would stay balanced/pull up at the same rate if the load were not perfectly evenly distributed (which it isn't, its definitely heavier in the back). In other words if I use a single rope through all 4, is there anything preventing the ones with the least weight under them from just lifting up first?
Clearly there is a physics lesson I skipped :Do_O
Click to expand...

Short answer is it "should" lift evenly, given that the rope doesn't stretch too much on the heavier end. That, and you don't have more weight out past the hook on the heavier rigged end than you do on the lighter end (think beam and fulcrum from the Physics lessons).

Gantry cranes operate under this method...I was a 100 ton gantry crane operator at my last job. I'd have loads rigged on one end of the beam all the time with nothing on the other end, and it would always pick up even. But - those had hydraulic motors on each end doing the lifting now that I think about it, and after looking at the Amazon link you posted.

So on second thought - no, that one wouldn't pick evenly. You'd have to have your front end rigged closer to the middle so you had an even mass being picked by both points. But if you had a way to have two separate lines pulled up by the same winch, then you're home free.
 
Fabrik8 said:
I think the only work involved is making spreader bars or a frame or whatever to index to your top if you wanted, to make something like the Jeep lifts for your non-Jeep.
Click to expand...
That's what I was about to say as well.
 
Scooter402 said:
But if you had a way to have two separate lines pulled up by the same winch, then you're home free.
Click to expand...
And that is technically possible - if I use 2 of those sets, one on the front, other on the back, and take both lines and have then come back to a common point and tie together at the joint where the motorized cable meets, so its like a Y, that would do it. I was just hoping to do it simpler w/ a single rope.

Now that I think of it that could be easily done w/ a clevis or carabineer, just tie both ropes to one end and hook up the winch cable to the other. Hm.
 
RatLabGuy said:
And that is technically possible - if I use 2 of those sets, one on the front, other on the back, and take both lines and have then come back to a common point and tie together at the joint where the motorized cable meets, so its like a Y, that would do it. I was just hoping to do it simpler w/ a single rope.

Now that I think of it that could be easily done w/ a clevis or carabineer, just tie both ropes to one end and hook up the winch cable to the other. Hm.
Click to expand...

See my post above. You'll have 4 lines total if you have 2 sets. From your Amazon link:

81cj%2BMDPiYL._SL1500_.jpg


Notice the two white pulleys that are next to each other; one for each lifting pulley, and one rope exiting for each lifting pulley.

So you would need to join 2 lines together with the other 2 lines in a Y.
 
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RatLabGuy said:
And that is technically possible - if I use 2 of those sets, one on the front, other on the back, and take both lines and have then come back to a common point and tie together at the joint where the motorized cable meets, so its like a Y, that would do it. I was just hoping to do it simpler w/ a single rope.

Now that I think of it that could be easily done w/ a clevis or carabineer, just tie both ropes to one end and hook up the winch cable to the other. Hm.
Click to expand...
That sounds like you're getting the idea. I'd think a few inches of travel (almost said stroke... :rolleyes:) is all you need!

And cue the "that's what she said" jokes in 3...2...1... :lol:
 
Scooter402 said:
That sounds like you're getting the idea. I'd think a few inches of travel (almost said stroke... :rolleyes:) is all you need!

And cue the "that's what she said" jokes in 3...2...1... :lol:
Click to expand...
I have plenty of stroke :D but in this case could use a lot more travel than a couple inches. More like 2-3 feet. Yes that's all you need to lift it off, done that many times, but I want to lift it up high against the ceiling so a car can fit under it.
 
shawn said:
There's a theme in your posts lately. :flipoff2:
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yep.
Around about the time I realized I needed reading glasses, the inevitability of age started to hit me and it's been all downhill grumpiness ever since.
 
If you have at least ONE friend, take it off, store on ceiling, leave the bondage stuff for the bedroom! Put a Scout II on buy yourself. And yes, the grumpiness goes with glasses.
 
Needs more triangulation.



....somebody had to say it... :D
 
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