Need Help Finding a Removeable Top Hoist (electronic wench preferable) to Install in my Garage

[Cadelawmo]

Hey all,

I just bought my 2024 Bronco Raptor last month and am in love with it. Only small problem I have thus far is taking the back section off and storing it. Therefore, I am looking for something that could help me take it off and store it on my ceiling. Does anyone have any brand of hoist that they have had a good experience with? Price is not really an issue, so whatever y'all think is the best !

 

[JohnGalt]

If you want electronic hoist, the Smarter Home setup works pretty darn well. I’ve also used it to store my wife’s roof rack from her Defender. While it fits my requirements, I’d also consider the fully manual Top Lift Pro rack.

Pros for Smarter Home Hard Top Lifter vs Top Lift Pro: takes up no floor space, easy to operate with iPhone app, stores entire top, clean elegant design.

Cons: you’ll need a sufficiently high ceiling or need to drive carefully through your top with the Smarter Home set up, I’ve got 10.5’ ceilings. You need to be able to position the lifter to not interfere with your garage door openers, door rails, lights other ceiling mounted items AND so you can fully open the tailgate and doors when your Bronco is in position. Easier said than done, I have a lot of cabinets which made this more challenging. You need to maneuver your Bronco into position, where you can more easily maneuver the manual rack into position.

Bottom Line: If I had a good place to stash the manual rack when in use or not and if I didn’t need to reverse in to park, I would get the manual Top Lifter Pro rack. But if you want an electronic hoist, this one’s pretty good.

Hard Top Lifter - Bronco

Experience effortless freedom with the Hard Top Lifter - Bronco. Powered by the MyLifter™ and featuring weight-sensing technology, trouble-free winding, and app control. Compatible with 2021-2024 Ford Bronco®.

www.smarterhome.com

 

[Cadelawmo]

Awesome, the smarterhome one was the one I was looking at anyways. I have a large three car garage with storage and 14 foot ceilings so I think i should be fine. Was the installation process difficult?

 

[JohnGalt]

Installation wasn’t difficult, but it does take some planning for the sort of things I mentioned above (clearances, etc). But at 14’ obstructions should be less of an issue. Figuring out which way your ceiling joists are oriented will also play into how you install, but I think that was covered in instructions/install video. Sinking four bolts into rails and the joists above my head on a ladder by myself was the only cumbersome part, but again, not difficult.

One thing that wasn’t super clear in the instructions was the rack assembly related to setting the length. You may have to adjust it a bit to get balancing right. I recall fiddling around a bit.

As far as using it, I don’t take my top off a lot, you way want to mark the straps to remember easily which way is forward. I also used a long piece of heavy wiring to hook and fish the strap between the roof and roll cage when preparing to take the roof off. This was complicated by having a Jtops sun shade installed. Once I removed that the strap wasn’t a problem. Frankly everything related to removing/replacing the top was more complicated with that on.

Hope that’s helpful

 

[TurboS]

Hey all,

I just bought my 2024 Bronco Raptor last month and am in love with it. Only small problem I have thus far is taking the back section off and storing it. Therefore, I am looking for something that could help me take it off and store it on my ceiling. Does anyone have any brand of hoist that they have had a good experience with? Price is not really an issue, so whatever y'all think is the best !

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new Raptor! Your initial impression is consistent with the majority of us on this site.

 

[Ape Factory]

I did a manual pulley system for mine, mostly because I have two bad shoulders and the thought of holding a heavy electrical motor up while trying to install bolts had me cringing.

So I hoisted up a few 2x4x8's (16ft. ceiling no less) which weren't much lighter but I got it done. I measured carefully and figured out a way to know the perfect alignment each time I drive in by using the front camera, the guide lines, and the base boards in the garage. Placed the Bronco properly, did a bit of eyeballing/measuring and got it on the first try.

Even though it's a manual hoist, it's one-handed operation and super easy. I do adjustable straps underneath the top and have carabiners on the end of each rope so I just clip in the loops and lift off the top. I've got it down where I can remove everything in less than 20 minutes.

Do get the Rockworkx quick removal D ring thumb screws. Far easier than using a bit and ratchet. I have them hand tight and the top doesn't make any noise plus they look cool with the top off. The bolts could be about 1/3 shorter but I suppose if you end up installing something that mounts in between the body and top, the extra length comes in handy.

I have a separate hoist for the front portion of the JCR rack. It's too heavy to lift off by myself. The rear portion's easy and light enough. And yes, I can have both hoisted up at the same time.