You can tell from the pictures where to position themĢ) I removed the hooks that came with the block and tackle because they made the entire hoist hang that much lower and I wanted the top as close to the ceiling as possible. Just place them on the top before lifting off and the top will hang more level. In the pictures you could kind of tell how all of that fits together.ġ) the hardtop has a tendency to hang with the back-end lower and I added the two sandbags as counter weights. It took me about two hours to fabricate and hang the hoist and get my hardtop dangling.ġ - 2 ton block and tackle ordered off internet (overkill, $17)ġ - 10' 12 gauge 'unistrut' (cut in half, electric depart.) ($16)Ģ - 1/4' cone lock gizmos (electric depart.,fit in the unistrut for threading threaded hooks)ġ - 10' 1 inch electric conduit (cut in half, electric depart.) ($6)ġ - package of 2 10' tie down straps with cam locking mechanisms ($15)ġ - 'angle tab' for attaching block and tackle to strut (electric depart.) ($2)ġ - 6' pipe insulation (1' inside diameter, 1/2' thickness) ($6)ġ - 1/2' x 1 1/2' hex bolt (for securing 'angle tab' to strut)ġ - roll of foam tape (weather stripping)ġ - rope cleat (to tie off the rope when the hoist is raised)Ģ - 5lb sand bags I use at the rifle range with my S&W AR15

Here's a complete list of materials and the approximate cost in case anyone out there wants to try this themselves and save some money.

After reviewing this thread and several others and looking at the various commercially available hardtop hoists (~$200) I decided I could make one myself and save some moolah and so using ideas gleaned from looking at pictures I did and it worked out great at less than half the cost (< $100) using 'off the shelf' supplies from Lowes and a block and tackle I ordered off the internet.

Diy jeep hardtop hoist