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Recommendations for hoist/lift for top removal please!

clay1937

clay1937

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Jun 1, 2005
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Location
American Fork, UT
I just purchased a '71 Blazer, and need recommendations on the best hoist/lift products out there to easily remove and re-install the fiberglass top.

Preferably something that can store the top right up against the rafters of the garage, and can be used by one person to remove and re-install the top.

Thanks!

Clay
 
I had the same question once. Search the tread on this site by Craig Artzner about a pulley hoist. I did something very similar and it works great. Only problem woth my setup is it takes 4 people to take it off. I'm looking at bringing all the lines to one crank on the wall so I can do it myself.
 
OK, I think I found my own answer.

After a lot of web surfing, I came across a company in my home state of Utah, that makes a hoist constructed of steel, and is rated for 400 lbs...perfect for the full convertible '69 - '75 Blazers.

I called and talked to a sales rep, and it sounds like the perfect solution. It's made for one-person operation. They even offer an electric winch upgrade for easier operation (but adds about $200 to the price).

They don't have a picture of the hoist on their website, but it's item g. at http://www.langeoriginals.com/store/cart.php?cat=1-+Hoist-A-Top+-+Manual+or+Power+for+Jeeps+-Others

It's listed for $325.95 and $24.04 to ship, so about $350 out the door, and all orders are custom made, so it'll take about a month before they get your hoist made.

Here's their contact info:

Lange Originals
1-866-284-7428 (toll-free)

Hope this helps someone else out too.
 
If you can do a little fabricating or even if you got the materials together and took them somewhere for a little welding you can sure make a setup alot cheaper than $340 to get the job done. Here is a great post by member BobK or bobbyk (can't remember his exact name on this board) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=159221

I use a setup similar to his first version and use a crank hoist to raise and lower the top. Sure is a nice way to do the job with just one person and minimal effort.
 
Really though I use my engine hoist open the top gate and come up underneth it, leaving the tailgate closed and lift it straight up. also I use ratcheting tiedowns to stabilize it. I can maneuver it anywhere there is concrete.

Unfortunately I store it in the back yard flat, with 2x4's under it, so it does take up some room and not answere 1/2 your question.
 
When you say "Do "they" allow you to go Topless in Utah?", if by "they", you mean the Mormons (which includes me), heck yes! As long as it's our convertibles :)

I appreciate the play on words though. I was planning to get a personalized license plate that is an abbreviation of "Go Topless".
 
Using an engine hoist is a good idea, eve if it's just to lift the top up enough to get a regular hoist underneath it.

Thanks for the tip.
 
One of my very first projects when I bought my Blazer was setting up a lifting system for the hardtop.

You can check my gallery photos (see .sig) for an album called "Pulleys From Hell" which will show you the basic setup I built for less than $50.

Seaching the forums at CK5 for "Pulleys from Hell" should also find more narrative information..... good luck and be safe. Double-shear bolts are the answer!!! :deal:


:usaflag:
 
Double-shear is a bolt that is supported from both sides.

Here are the photos from my original post.

http://www.norcalbigdawgs.net/Gallery/album70

Note the way the pulleys are supported in the center of the ceiling. I have backets to support the bolt on both sides (aka: double shear)

Single shear (just a lag bolt into the ceiling though the pulleys) deflected and bent easily under load and proved to be very unsafe. That was one of the things I immediately corrected when I did my second version of the hoist.


:usaflag:
 
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