FUNX3 - hoist and spare

[007Cruiser]

Thanks, Mike. I need to figure a way to pull into my garage. Backing in would put me too close to the wall and make it difficult to exit the car (at least as I presently calculate it).

[AZTB]

Your point is well taken, Gene...if my wife and I are both in the Bird, she has to exit before I back in. On the upside, it allows for plenty of room in the middle of the garage to open the Bird's long door without hitting her Highlander.

[007Cruiser]

I could back into the other side but that would have the car blocking Pam’s path when she leaves the house. I think that I can do it if I don’t store my top on the hoist. I don’t make frequent top changes so that should probably work out for me.

[stewbob]

Thanks, Mike. I need to figure a way to pull into my garage. Backing in would put me too close to the wall and make it difficult to exit the car (at least as I presently calculate it).

Gene, put a sliding track on the ceiling then you can pull the top back and forth

[007Cruiser]

Gene, put a sliding track on the ceiling then you can pull the top back and forth

A good idea but I have a big beam in the way.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Gene, put a sliding track on the ceiling then you can pull the top back and forth

Stewart you old dog! I'm in Mexico and can't find your email. Please send me one. As to a hoist I really don't need one I've got Jungle Jane. Plus Baby Blue will probably not see the DSB hard top back on while in Florida. We're enjoying Mexico. People here are happy and friendly.You can't beat the weather either. Today we go south to Tulum.. Via con Dios!

[steelblue5505]

Gene, do you have a two car wide garage? If yes I will share with you some ideas.

[007Cruiser]

Yes, Mike.

[DaiUyTed]

Gene, most garages the roll up door needs all the ceiling space when the door is opened(up) forces the HT lift or hoist to be stored further back in the garage. This causes the car to be backed into the garage to get under the hoist.

That's why I have to back into the garage to remove or install the hardtop.
However, the top hangs low, so once it's removed, I nose the car into the garage until the rear of the top almost touches the windshield. Space is cramped, and its easier to get in and out of the car when it's nosed in.

[hippy_mailman]

for those that have short ceilings there are a couple things you could do to keep top stored on hoist
1. recess the hoist into the attic space (mine is that way but I do not have drywall,just framework)
2. mount the hoist aside from the lift point such as in center of garage,or even on a wall,just make sure it is secured well as it will pull sideways not just in or out. then run cable through a pulley mounted above top.this would allow the top to be stored much closer to the ceiling.
either way is a bit of work and thinking,but could help

[steelblue5505]

If one's home has a lift up garage door, the door will require the same amount of area across the depth of the ceiling of the garage equal to whatever the door's height is. This forces the placement of a HT hoist to be further into the garage and causes the car to be backed into the garage. BUT that is only necessary if the hoist is also going to be the HT's storage. Some use the hoist only to remove and/or place the HT on to the car. Most I'm certain keep the HT hanging from the ceiling or joists using the hoist.

But what if because of the layout of the garage or due to the many items or shelving often stored in the garage, once the car is backed into the garage to get it under the hoist it becomes difficult to either open one of the doors or even get around the car to the 'other' side? This happen to me. I use to hang my HT from the hoist over the front of the car. When it was time to either remove the HT or install the HT I would back the car into its side of the garage to get it into position but in doing this I gave myself no room to open the driver's door. I had to climb over the center console to get out of the car. Once out of the car. due to my work bench, I had no room on the driver's side to reach the HT to insure the rear latching pin went into its receptacle.

Now I have moved the hoist out into more of the center of garage, I move our second vehicle out of the garage giving me the whole garage to move around it. I bring the Bird forward into the garage but as I pull in I turn the car slightly so that I'm more into the middle of the garage but deep enough to be under the hoist. Now I have plenty of room to walk around the car and as I lower or raise the HT I can easily see what is happening. And the HT when lifted up is out of the way of either vehicle.

Here in this photo you can see how much room I have when the Bird is pulled in & turned at a angle to put the car more into the middle of the garage. Some thing to consider if your garage space is tight.
Garage October 2012 2 - Copy.JPG

[007Cruiser]

Very clever, Mike. I seem to have the garage design from hell. Smack in the center is a support column holding a large transverse beam supporting the second floor of the house. My idea is to mount a hoist between the beam and open door. By pulling in part way, I can get the top under the hoist and still be able to open the car door. I will then back out of the garage and lower the top onto the hardtop cart. I could also stick with Plan B and lift it off with my son-in-law.

[steelblue5505]

Gene, Plan B is good as long as help is around when you want it to be around. I think your plan of putting the hoist between the obstructions will work because you only need to lift the HT up enough to drive out from under it. When it is time to install the HT again it only needs to go up high enough to clear the rear deck. If I lived over by you I'd come over to assist you but presently it is a bit of of a commute. Keep us posted as to what you decide to do.

[AZTB]

Garage October 2012 2 - Copy.JPG

Love that garage floor, Mike!

[steelblue5505]

Jim, thanks. It was a fun project. It is made up of 12inch sq. composition type material. They interlock to one another with built in tabs. To see more about this product & have some fun planning out a design without having to spend a penny go to www.racedeck.com