Hardtop hoist
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,132
Likes: 935
From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Hardtop hoist
I want to put together an electrical top hoist for my 75. Does anybody know of a place that make a hardtop specific top sling for the hardtop?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,180
Likes: 1,176
From: out of nowhere
Been thinking the same. Was going to utilize cheap ratchet straps slid inside of dollar store pool noodles. Just going to use a block & tackle up in the garage ceiling, and tie it off to a cleat/bollard, etc.. I guess the rope could be fed into a little powered winch if you want to be fancy.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,453
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
I use a celling mounted Harbor Freight electric hoist for my Jeep hardtop on the double stall garage, works great. The single stall has my Advantage lift so unable to utilize for the Vette, I'll probably just utilize my father-in-law to remove/install. 
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,321
Likes: 720
From: Marietta GA
Sorry it took me a while to find the name. Top-hoist.com. I bought the hoist with the electric motor. The sling has to be adjusted for a C3 but worked extremely well. You need to have a Helper the first time you lift the hard top, as there need to be adjustments made to the hoist straps. The company was very responsive to my questions. The electric motor was sourced from Harbor Freight. The hoist bar and straps worked well as I would leave my hard top on a rolling cart in my garage.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,573
Likes: 7,015
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
I finally saved some space (and possible scratches) by mounting an electric hoist up high between ceiling joists. The hook is the only thing viewable. I bought 1" wide nylon tiedown straps and removed the metal latches,,,then modified the straps to fit the hardtop so it stayed balanced with lowering onto the car.
The other members have some great ideas.
The other members have some great ideas.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Back some 30 years ago I was in my early 50's and had no issue carrying/placing/lifting the whole hardtop at once.... but I"m 6'5" or WAS.......
I just got 4 steel loops hung to the ceiling spaced apart to fit the top easliy, dropping down about 18" or so in MY garage.....lifted the top off the car, using a heavy towel under the back end, for safety, and then hung the front handles on one set of ceiling loops, then lifted the back up and tucked the back loops under the mounting stubs..... easy, cheep and quickly done obviously the hanging spot was in the other side of the garage and no car under it.....high enough to not hit my head walking under it.....I used typical house wiring 3 conductor cable with loops......
I just got 4 steel loops hung to the ceiling spaced apart to fit the top easliy, dropping down about 18" or so in MY garage.....lifted the top off the car, using a heavy towel under the back end, for safety, and then hung the front handles on one set of ceiling loops, then lifted the back up and tucked the back loops under the mounting stubs..... easy, cheep and quickly done obviously the hanging spot was in the other side of the garage and no car under it.....high enough to not hit my head walking under it.....I used typical house wiring 3 conductor cable with loops......
Racer
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 254
Likes: 26
Been thinking the same. Was going to utilize cheap ratchet straps slid inside of dollar store pool noodles. Just going to use a jeep hardtop lift with a block & tackle up in the garage ceiling, and tie it off to a cleat/bollard, etc.. I guess the rope could be fed into a little powered winch if you want to be fancy.
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2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,573
Likes: 7,015
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Old thread but the Info is great for new members.
I cover my hardtop to keep dust off it and leave it on the $75 electic hoist in the Full-Up position. No floor space is taken up and the hardtopn never gets scratches. (see my post above)
MY SPINE AND MY WIFE'S SPINE LOVE IT!
I cover my hardtop to keep dust off it and leave it on the $75 electic hoist in the Full-Up position. No floor space is taken up and the hardtopn never gets scratches. (see my post above)
MY SPINE AND MY WIFE'S SPINE LOVE IT!
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,145
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I found an old Mercedes hardtop hoist cheap and used a hoist winch that is geared up and down. I use an electric drill with a socket chuck on the lock nut where the handle is supposed to be and it works great.