Installing Top Lift.

[Southern]

Looking for opinions here.....

I bot a TopCap system.
Like most I would think...there is a single piece of iron about 4'8" long that mounts to the ceiling.....my ceiling is finished....and the trusses are parallel with the parked car.

I can easily mount this piece with 3 lag screws, 24" apart, directly into the ceiling truss.
If I do this, the entire unit will be on 1 truss. Very simple to do. And the lag screws will go thru the steel piece, through the ceiling(wallboard), and into the truss all the way......2x4 on edge. They would be 4 1/2 inch lag screws.

Or I can install 3 2x4s between two of these trusses and then mount the lift piece on these 2x4s. Obviously a little more involved.
This would effectively mount the lift on 2 trusses but I would mount the 2x4s on their flat side......so the lag screws would be 3 inch lag screws.

The question is, even tho either system would hold the lift and the Bird's top......which one would ultimately be the safest?

[YT-Bird]

Re: Installing Top Lift.

If your worried about the weight on the truss, span two 2x4s across the the support truss and the two next to it at the center where the winch will be located and toenail or screw then to the three trusses. I engineered my own with a $50 winch from Harbor Frieght and a $20 Battery booster from Walmart. Works real good, but think its easier to just do it the old fashion way. Good luck and happy 2011.

[Gobird]

Re: Installing Top Lift.

Or I can install 3 2x4s between two of these trusses and then mount the lift piece on these 2x4s. Obviously a little more involved.
This would effectively mount the lift on 2 trusses but I would mount the 2x4s on their flat side......so the lag screws would be 3 inch lag screws.

This is the way I would go with this install.

[Peterfurlan]

Re: Installing Top Lift.

Are we talking about a actual engineered truss or just a ceiling joist. If they are just
joists go with the 2X4's. If you leave the top hanging for a prolonged period of time on
one joist I'm sure it would start to bow. If its an actual truss should be no problem.

[Sandman]

Re: Installing Top Lift.

Southern, I installed the lift exactly the way you mentioned as your first option, lag bolts directly into the joist the runs parallel front to back. Not a problem. I have had mine up for four years and leave the top hanging for months at a time. Simple install.

[tbird05cel]

Re: Installing Top Lift.

I agree with Ron. Although I am a future candidate for the lift, I have been looking at mounting options. The top only weighs 85 pounds and this method should not be a problem. If you are concerned, span the bottom chords on the truss with 2x4s or light weight angle and through bolt. Good luck and share some photos.

Charles

[PaulD]

Re: Installing Top Lift.

My garage trusses also run parallel to cat and I have a TopCap attached to a single truss with no additional reinforcement. Only been up about one year but no apparent problems with this arrangent. Floor above garage is decked with 3/4 " plywood for storage so I cannot access the trusses. If I could, I would "box in" the truss with some plywood along the side of the truss at the area holding the TopCap. If you can get access to your truss, that would be the best way to add strength to a single truss.

[Ediron]

Re: Installing Top Lift.

If you don't want to use 2x4 across the joist look into a product called uni-strut.It's a building product I used when I was selling engine scopes and installing them on ceilings in gas stations and repair shops.They have nuts that slid in to the channel shape and most of the parts etc. can be bought at an electrical or plumbing supply.2x4 are cheaper but you need a longer lag bolt.

[tbird05cel]

Re: Installing Top Lift.

Ed, good point. This would give flexibility in spacing the lift with the ability to move the location within the strut.

[02-T-Bird]

Re: Installing Top Lift.

You could also use "barn door track" complete with the door carriers. The carriers have to be adapted to the hoist and this would let the hoist travel the length of the track. Basicly your building a light weight mono-rail hoist.

[Ediron]

Re: Installing Top Lift.

I seem to remember someone doing something like the barn door track were as he moved the top away from the Bird.

[Southern]

Re: Installing Top Lift.

Well, I do believe I am going with the more elegant solution..
KISS.

See If I can get this done tomorrow.

[stewbob]

Re: Installing Top Lift.

installed my lift with a eight foot barn door track works great also can slide back and forth to line up with car e-mail me and will send you pictures good luck

[Rondor]

Re: Installing Top Lift.

I like the barn door track idea and will use it too. I have been hesitant about a fixed positin mount and having the top hang in one spot. I use a stand now for mobility, but have to have help to remove or install top. Hoist makes it a one person job. The track idea gives a lot of options even a curve piece to move aside if room.

[bobc4383]

Re: Installing Top Lift.

Looking for opinions here.....

I bot a TopCap system.
Like most I would think...there is a single piece of iron about 4'8" long that mounts to the ceiling.....my ceiling is finished....and the trusses are parallel with the parked car.

I can easily mount this piece with 3 lag screws, 24" apart, directly into the ceiling truss.
If I do this, the entire unit will be on 1 truss. Very simple to do. And the lag screws will go thru the steel piece, through the ceiling(wallboard), and into the truss all the way......2x4 on edge. They would be 4 1/2 inch lag screws.

Or I can install 3 2x4s between two of these trusses and then mount the lift piece on these 2x4s. Obviously a little more involved.
This would effectively mount the lift on 2 trusses but I would mount the 2x4s on their flat side......so the lag screws would be 3 inch lag screws.

The question is, even tho either system would hold the lift and the Bird's top......which one would ultimately be the safest?

---------------------------------------
What about how to attach the cable to the roof? I took have a HF winch and the cabling installed, but I am still wary of the best way to 'raise the roof'.

Thanks,

Bob