Hard Roof Removal

[Gatsoburner]

Anyone got any ideas on the easiest methods for taking off the hard roof (and on).

Absolutely frightening with the Mrs struggling to lift the roof ( bless her ) with that huge spike inches from the paintwork as we walk to the back of the car.. I need to do this on my own.

Seen all these hoists but I can't mount 1 on the garage ceiling, It'll need to be a free standing affair or, a removable system i can loop over the open garage door above my head.(bottom of the door) Id be able to back the car up and get the roof under door if you get me.

Any ideas most welcome!!

Cheers Rob.

 

[Gatsoburner]

Thinking on..

I've already got a roof trolly which I could flip on it's side, just the way to lift and lower and get onto it's wheels

 

[shera25]

Anyone got any ideas on the easiest methods for taking off the hard roof (and on).

Absolutely frightening with the Mrs struggling to lift the roof ( bless her ) with that huge spike inches from the paintwork as we walk to the back of the car.. I need to do this on my own.

Seen all these hoists but I can't mount 1 on the garage ceiling, It'll need to be a free standing affair or, a removable system i can loop over the open garage door above my head.(bottom of the door) Id be able to back the car up and get the roof under door if you get me.

Any ideas most welcome!!

Cheers Rob.

You’re not alone; that spike is terrifying every time
If ceiling mounting is out, a lot of people use a free-standing gantry, engine hoist, or even a portable A-frame with soft straps. They’re stable, one-person friendly, and easy to store when not in use. I’ve also seen simple ratchet-strap setups over an open garage door work, as long as everything’s well-padded and secure. Definitely worth doing solo rather than risking paint (or the Mrs!), good luck

 

[Gatsoburner]

Think I may have come up with an idea, just need to do a bit of cutting and drilling.

Im going for the garage door as a lifting point.

Cheers

 

[DavidM]

It’s a two person (male) job unless a rig can be set up to hoist the hard top off. Use a thick blanket to protect the boot lid when lifting off. I use a trolley type storage solution. Good luck.

 

[Gatsoburner]

Yes ive been putting large towels over the boot when we're lifting. Still a traumatic 5 seconds .
I put the protective cups on the spikes before we lift but still..It'd be rather gutting if it was dropped!

 

[Duncodin]

Did scratch the rear right wing once. My fault though coz didn't tell the missus about the spike. It's not heavy though so should be an easy two man/woman job as long as the assistant is aware of how it goes on/off.

But now I have a hoist in the garage although that's not perfect either and always a bit worried in case the rope slips through my fingers. But then I'd just have myself to blame.

 

[Gatsoburner]

Difficult for the Mrs as when you get over the rear wheel arches you've got to lean inwards a bit which i over compensate for so she can remain upright with her arms.

Anyway, on with the building process. Fits over garage door nicely, Just need 2 straps and I'll be having a go at a slow lift.

 

[elevensies]

good work, we need a video on this during use...

 

[Stevo7682]

good work, we need a video on this during use...

You know it wont be the first use

He aint filming that incase something goes wrong .

But on a serious note looking forward to seeing your end results in the last 12 months the hardtop on my silver zed only been off for about 2hrs .
Stephen.

 

[Gatsoburner]

Check double check before I do any lifting.

Got the hooks, ordered the webbing slings. All in all im hopefully, just need to get the balance of the roof right which might be the test, and make sure it's a straightforward upwards lift.

Keen to get on with it but Christmas deliveries might hinder my progress.

 

[GZed]

To lift the hardtop horizontally: Get 5 webbing slings and 4 carabiners. Form a ‘Y’ with 3 of slings. This is for lifting at the back of the hardtop, behind the window. Hook the loops at the end of the slings around the spikes on the hardtop.
The other two slings pass through the car, to be connected by carabiners.
Connect all slings together above the roof, as shown in this pic.

 

[GZed]

Above pic and design courtesy of @gookah. I bought his Zed off him complete with this sling. Pics of the component parts of the skiing to follow ( now well used and faded, but still serviceable)

 

[GZed]

These 3 pass behind the window, with the loops hooked around the spikes.

 

[Gatsoburner]

Thanks for the image and write up..

I'm waiting on the straps to see how i go, ideally as yours i need to be as far back as can as a lifting point due to restrictions on the working area.

 

[GZed]

These 2 pass through the car, to be connected inside the car by a carabiner.
Also shown how all slings are connected together above the car (sorry for multiple posts, but don’t know how to post & comment on more than one pic at a time.,.)

 

[Gatsoburner]

All greatly received, gives me ideas for going forward.
Cheers

 

[Gatsoburner]

I've half chickened out with the lift.

Going to take off the roof and lay it on the ground then configure the straps. Only need to lift a few inches to see how it'll react. No dramas then.
If it works, again I only need lift it clear of the spikes to the bodywork, move the car then lower on to the trolley.
The weight baring frame over the garage doors is from the legs of an old Gazebo i've been meaning to tip but been too long for the car boot.
Plenty of dog blankets on the drive and should be ok !

 

[Gatsoburner]

Took the roof off in preparation for trying out the lift.
Decided to put it away in the bag it came with which ive never used.. funny to find 3 ideally placed handles that the hoist could link into dead easy, sussed ...

However the drama, and I think it would be, would be getting the cover on the roof whilst it's still sat on the car, seems a huge faff but I'll consider it for the ongoing project.