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Jeep owners know how difficult it is to remove or install a Jeep top, especially if it’s a hardtop. Lifting the top off and putting it back on is a two-person job and requires a lot of effort. Fortunately, you can build a homemade Jeep top lift that will make the process a lot easier. In this article, we’ll show you how to build a Jeep top lift that can be easily operated by one person.
Materials Needed
Before starting the project, you need to gather the necessary materials. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Two 8-foot 4x4s
- Two 8-foot 2x6s
- One 12-foot 2×6
- Two 5-inch caster wheels
- Four 1/2-inch bolts with nuts and washers
- Two 1/2-inch x 8-inch eyebolts
- Two 1/2-inch quick links
- Two 1/2-inch shackles
- Two 1/2-inch x 15-foot chains
- Two 2-inch x 8-foot ratchet straps
- Drill with 1/2-inch drill bit
- Saw
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Safety glasses
Building the Frame
The first step is to build the frame of the Jeep top lift. Take one of the 8-foot 4x4s and cut it in half so that you have two 4-foot pieces. These will be the legs of the frame.
Next, take the two 8-foot 2x6s and attach them to the legs using the bolts, nuts, and washers. These will be the crossbars of the frame. Make sure that the crossbars are attached at the same height on both legs.
Now, take the 12-foot 2×6 and attach it to the top of the frame using the bolts, nuts, and washers. This will be the beam that will hold the Jeep top.
Attaching the Caster Wheels
Next, you need to attach the caster wheels to the bottom of the legs. This will allow you to move the lift around easily. To do this, drill a hole in the center of each leg, about 2 inches up from the bottom. Insert the caster wheels into the holes and secure them with bolts, nuts, and washers.
Attaching the Chains
Now it’s time to attach the chains to the lift. Take one of the 1/2-inch x 15-foot chains and attach it to one of the eyebolts using a quick link. Attach the other end of the chain to one of the shackles.
Next, attach the shackle to one of the corners of the Jeep top. Repeat this process for the other corner of the top.
Using the Lift
Now that you’ve built the lift, it’s time to use it. Here’s how:
- Position the lift so that the Jeep top is directly underneath the beam.
- Attach the ratchet straps to the Jeep top, making sure that they are secure.
- Attach the shackles to the ratchet straps.
- Attach the chains to the shackles.
- Use the ratchet straps to lift the Jeep top off of the vehicle.
- Once the Jeep top is lifted, you can move the lift and top to a safe storage location.
Conclusion
Building a homemade Jeep top lift is a great DIY project that can save you a lot of time and effort. With just a few materials and some basic tools, you can build a lift that will make removing and installing your Jeep top a breeze. Follow the instructions in this article and you’ll be able to build a lift that can be easily operated by one person.