I'll never try that again!!

[Guest]

Re: I'll never try that again!!

The trick to the whole lifting thing is keeping the top level while lifting. If the person on one side is taller (my husband) than the person on the other side (me), then a comfortable carrying and lifting arm length for him might be totally different than what is comfortable for my short arms. When we lift the top from the ground for installation, we both bend over to lift it and when we raise up his end is much higher in the air than my end and the weight all tilts down toward me . We almost had a problem one time when he bent over and picked the top up faster than I did, it felt like I was supporting all 80pounds in my arms.
Two people can manage the top easily, but just make sure both of you lift at the same time keeping the top level at all times to distribute the weight equally.

I think all of us have our fair share of horror stories about removing and installing the hard top. Julie's points are very similar to our experience - ie. Anne and I make sure we lift the hard top at the same time, keeping it level at all times.

Also wise to do the job before enjoying your favourite beverage.

I have a very low ceiling in my nest/garage, but am seriously considering a hoist - thanks to a couple of TBN members, I think I can squeeze one in...

[BIRD 42]

Re: I'll never try that again!!

Go Hoist! - It is well worth the expense and hassle to install in the garage. Also good as I do not have a place to store the rack

[tbird6t4]

Re: I'll never try that again!!

Sure! I'll stop by after work.

Mike! Where are you man?

The steak was ready, the beer was cold but no Mike.

So I ate the steaks, (yours and mine) and drank the beer and the top is still sitting on the rack.

Guess you got stopped at the border, did you remember your passport?

LOL!

Gord R.

[MATBird]

Re: I'll never try that again!!

Mark, I believe the minimum you need is 7' ceilings for the electric hoists

[gladiator99]

Re: I'll never try that again!!

I too, wanted to install my hardtop this year and so last weekend, my son and our daughter's fiance were here for dinner so I recruited them to give a hand. The three of us manouvered the top perfectly in place and it was installed quite easily. As it is not that heavy, mostly ackward and bulky,
I showed them exactly where the pins must fit and we were able to lower it onto the car perfectly.
Now it looks like a different car. I do like the look though. Firt time for the hardtop to be on in three years.
Just gotta be careful!!
Cheers,
Jim

[timbo]

Re: I'll never try that again!!

Funny thing... when I was looking for a tbird all the adds showing the top on the stand made the top look so small and cute.
"Wow honey" I said, "it's so small we can put it anywhere."
Well, once we got the car home and got the top off... we stood there looking at it..."Gosh honey", I said with a perplexed and surprised look on my face. "that thing looks huge... where are we gonna put it."
It's in our guest bedroom. We just finished a 1/2 house remodel and the garage is now storage. When I clean it out the bird and the top will go in there. I plan on making a hoist from harbor freight purchases.

Timbo

[billm]

Re: I'll never try that again!!

I ordered a hoist for mine before I ever took the top off. A couple of on-line sites sell the hoists. One is quite reasonable and works very nicely. Installed it myself and made all the adjustments, and in less than an hour had the top off and covered. Only thing I found was that with the overhead door, the hoist has to be mounted more to the rear of the garage and turned backward, so you have to back the car in to remove and replace the top, otherwise there would not be sufficient room for the door to be raised if parked forward.

[BIRD 42]

Re: I'll never try that again!!

I had to mount mine the same way, requiring me to back in to remove-replace the top. I placed plastic tape on the floor of the garage next to the tires on one side so I can line up the car with the top with I am ready to put it back on.

The lift also makes storage easy as I do not have enough room in the garage to use the rack

Mike

[MATBird]

Re: I'll never try that again!!

Bill, one site I've looked at suggests you back in to remove the top.
This is especially helpful if you have a low ceiling, because the front of the hardtop, once raised, gives you plenty of room to drive out from under it when it's suspended on the lift.
BTW, I also know from experience, many years ago with my '56, I just drove in and lifted it off. (low ceiling) and was I surprised, the rear of the HT hung down so far, I had the reinstall it and then back in to remove it.
One of the reasons, when I built a new home a few years ago, I went with 11' ceilings in the garage:)

[Ski]

Re: I'll never try that again!!

Bill, one site I've looked at suggests you back in to remove the top.
This is especially helpful if you have a low ceiling, because the front of the hardtop, once raised, gives you plenty of room to drive out from under it when it's suspended on the lift.
BTW, I also know from experience, many years ago with my '56, I just drove in and lifted it off. (low ceiling) and was I surprised, the rear of the HT hung down so far, I had the reinstall it and then back in to remove it.
One of the reasons, when I built a new home a few years ago, I went with 11' ceilings in the garage:)

I have to back in - the lift wouldn't clear the garage door opener otherwise.

[jerrym3]

Re: I'll never try that again!!

Two people and a lot of blankets on the trunk, and we've never had a problem with mine or my brother-in-law's.

We lay the top down gently on the trunk, reposition our grip, and then continue the process.

Biggest pain is lining up the front screws and tightening them without ruining the threads.