survivor66

Anyone try this for one man hard top removal and storage? I had a blast lifting the hard top with a cordless drill but am wondering if there is a risk of damaging the rubber gaskets.

The 2 1/2" webbing supports most of the load with the bicycle hoist in back holding about 10#. The hoist is rated 250# and has six 3" lag bolts firmly into truss chords, so I'm not worried about it falling.

I marked tire centerlines on floor for accurate repositioning, I hope! Haven't tried putting the top back on.

Sorry about the rotated photos - they show correctly in Photobucket...

wmf62

yes, long term storage using straps that rest on the weatherstrip will cause the weatherstrips to deform. find someway to bridge the weatherstrip and it will be fine.
Bill

survivor66

Thanks, that's what I want to avoid. Any other concerns about overall integrity of the top?

wmf62

well.... i would support the front closer to the front and the back part about where it attaches to the body right behind the doors. it would be OK to use your supports under the center of the rear window to stabilize the top but not to carry any weight.
Bill

mrg

A one-man hardtop lift was built using these parts. With coupon discounts, about 40 bucks:

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece...lzIjoiNi45OSJ9

6 total of these:
http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb...nch-65688.html

Micro fiber towels were used where necessary to protect paint.

jim lockwood

The hardtop for my '63 was supported in a somewhat similar manner for many years. During that time the stress on the fiberglass, being somewhat different from what it sees when installed on the car, slightly warped the top.

When I installed it on my roadster, there were 3/8" gaps above the vent pane frames. That's the bad news.

The good news is that fiberglass has a memory and after being on the car for a couple of weeks, the gaps closed and the top fit as normal.

Jim

survivor66

Good insight, thanks Jim. I like the "happy ending"!