Top Storage Poll

[Leroy]

Re: Top Storage Poll

I just get a neighbor or call my Son to help me take it off or put it on. My car was born topless so I didn't get a stand with it. I also didn't get a stand with the top I bought. So I made one, It's not foldable and it's not real pretty, but it works for me. I've still got a small block and tackle hanging in my garage that I used on my 70 Vett to remove he hard top with, and I used to let it hang there all Summer. But it was alot smaller and lighter than the TBird top. I usually like to get my top back on in October and usually park it and cover it for the Winter after Thanksgiving. Leroy

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[Oley]

Re: Top Storage Poll

Remove manually and store all summer on the stand. In the fall put it on with the help of my wife and leave it on all winter during storage and for the first spring drives then remove again for the summer. Except this winter due to having to work on the car I had it removed most of the winter. When in the stand I cover it with my Star-Wars bed sheet.

[jayred1]

Re: Top Storage Poll

I've been watching this poll that I started a little over a year ago and I'm finally about to install an electric hoist (one of these days!).

I find it interesting that 1/2 of those with an electric hoist leave their top suspended, but over 3/4 of those with a manual hoist do the same. I wonder if it because the electric bunch:
a) don't want to leave their hoist loaded for long periods of time (possible gear wear),
b) have multiple tops and/or cars and swap them around, or
c) just have more garage space to keep the tops stored on the ground.

I was going to install my hoist directly under the ceiling, but after more consideration (procrastination?) I've decided to install it above the ceiling in a different part of the garage with a small attic area and just have the cable and control drop through an opening. It should be a cleaner look although my garage is far from clean. Maybe this weekend I'll see it through ...

[Kokomo]

Re: Top Storage Poll

...I find it interesting that 1/2 of those with an electric hoist leave their top suspended, but over 3/4 of those with a manual hoist do the same. I wonder if it because the electric bunch:
a) don't want to leave their hoist loaded for long periods of time (possible gear wear),
b) have multiple tops and/or cars and swap them around, or
c) just have more garage space to keep the tops stored on the ground.
...

I can only speak for myself: I have an electric hoist and I leave the top suspended so that I can put it back on the car at a moment's notice. I probably switch back and forth at least a half dozen times per month. I have a second top but it is stored in the house and never used.

Also, taking the top on or off the car is easy and quick. Trying to get in on or off the stand with the hoist is not easy as the stand wants to move around. It is probably even harder to do that with a manual hoist.

[RREDBRD]

Re: Top Storage Poll

I have not had the top on in over 5 years. It is stored in the corner on a homemade foam stand, right behind all of the kids "junk".

[04birdman]

Re: Top Storage Poll

bought car june of 2008...brought home took top off by hand stored on rack....has never been back on car......i bought a rag top..cant put it down..mlght as well leave it in the garage.....50degrees and no rain...it come down....

[jim heath]

Re: Top Storage Poll

I have a manual lift and use it all the time. My top is on and off again like a yoyo, I love it both ways. It just depends on my mood and the weather I guess.

[Peterfurlan]

Re: Top Storage Poll

bought car june of 2008...brought home took top off by hand stored on rack....has never been back on car......i bought a rag top..cant put it down..mlght as well leave it in the garage.....50degrees and no rain...it come down....

Ditto. Hardtop off in the spring rag top down.Hardtop goes on in the winter
only to make room for the snow blower in the garage. Two man job to remove
takes all of about five minutes. Really hot day AC blowing works like a charm.
I must say this does not apply to daily drivers just the toys.

[rpatton3]

Re: Top Storage Poll

I have not had the top on in over 5 years. It is stored in the corner on a homemade foam stand, right behind all of the kids "junk".

I am like you. The top has been hanging on the electric hoist since e put the hoist up.

[Rdlagray]

Re: Top Storage Poll

Haven't had the car long but the top is on the manual hoist. Will put it back on car Nov or Dec depends when it gets cold. I have a 5 bay garage but still no room full with tools and cars. You just never have enough room.

[YT-Bird]

Re: Top Storage Poll

Removed top with electric hoist. Top slipped out of sling while backing out from under it and crashed onto hood. Minor ($600) damage to hood, none to top. Thank you GRUNDY for the great service and Hillcrest Ford for a great fix. The future hold manual removal.

[Rondor]

Re: Top Storage Poll

Off by hand in a couple weeks until mid Dec. and back on by hand until mid to late March and then off 'till dog days. store on rack in corner in between. Rack is very mobile so easy to work around and move. I didn't go hoist because of putting on not taking off.

[jerrym3]

Re: Top Storage Poll

Since my car never sees rain or snow, the "top on, top off" process is just to give the car a different look.

And, since it spends a great deal of the winter indoors, changing the top for appearance sake is kind of dumb on my part.

The 94 TBird and the LS are the everyday drivers.

[rpatton3]

Re: Top Storage Poll

I've been watching this poll that I started a little over a year ago and I'm finally about to install an electric hoist (one of these days!).

I find it interesting that 1/2 of those with an electric hoist leave their top suspended, but over 3/4 of those with a manual hoist do the same. I wonder if it because the electric bunch:
a) don't want to leave their hoist loaded for long periods of time (possible gear wear),
b) have multiple tops and/or cars and swap them around, or
c) just have more garage space to keep the tops stored on the ground.

I was going to install my hoist directly under the ceiling, but after more consideration (procrastination?) I've decided to install it above the ceiling in a different part of the garage with a small attic area and just have the cable and control drop through an opening. It should be a cleaner look although my garage is far from clean. Maybe this weekend I'll see it through ...

[ge0rge]

Re: Top Storage Poll

I have an electric hoist made from the Harbor Freight equipment. I store the top on the OEM stand.

I put the top on this morning. I can do it in about 20 minutes. But before I put it on, I clean the rear window and vacuum the roof upholstery because it's easier to reach with the top on the stand. All that takes about 30 minutes total.

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