Jeep Hardtop Hoist! Awesome $65 POWERED Hard Top lift Wrangler JK and JKU

[@ForceBuilt]

If this video helps you please Like and Subscribe! That will help me out also, Thanks! (Camera I use)amzn.to/3Olq0VS (2" Straps)amzn.to/44QTcJX (prebuilt 2" straps)amzn.to/3WfPsk6 (2000lbs ATV Winch) amzn.to/3Om75dE (Battery Clamps)amzn.to/44Ojyw7 I made the length of the straps 8.5 feet. This is how I Lift my hardtop from my Jeep JKU. Harbor Freight Style. This price includes the winch and the strapping only. Everything else I used in this video, I already had laying around. Good luck. This system works great!! I am a part of the Amazon Associate program. Clicking the links is a great way to support my channel and cost you nothing.

[@Rob0917]

Do you have the updated links? These links don't seem to work.

[@ForceBuilt]

Updated now. Thanks for the heads up. I didn't realize the links had quit working.

[@Rob0917]

@@ForceBuilt Awesome, thanks!

[@ForceBuilt]

@@Rob0917 Your Welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@ammoretuo]

How long should the bands be?

[@joereyes5103]

What a great idea. It solves my jeep issue and it give me a great project to work on. The best part is how it makes everyone think about how they can adjust your great idea into their own version.

[@tbaum101]

That is one fine piece of Country Boy Engineering sir. Well done!

[@94_Till]

This man is a genius, i did the same setup but instead of the exrension cord to jumper cables, i bought 12 foot 6 gauge jumper cables and spliced it directly to the winch, over all super easy and effective!!

[@ForceBuilt]

Thank you Azeem!

[@realitycheck74]

Great job! Love it! Only thing I would add is, either paint an L or use tape on the floor for your back tire and/or front tire or both to line up to when backing in to remove or install your top. That way you will be in exact same spot every time for the process. Taking the guess work out of the deal. We used to do that at Wawa stores to line up our side lift gates to the cooler bubble delivery door when delivering milk to the stores. Works like a charm! Great video! Good luck!

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks a lot and great advice! Thanks for watching

[@MrPapaMoose]

I already have a winch installed for hauling storage bins into the upper portion of my garage so this just saved me a bunch of time having to think of something and have it work. Thank you Sir for posting this!

[@sonandsanford4963]

Thanks for the upload. I am off to HF now.

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks for watching! Good luck!!

[@imspartacvs]

Very Nice Not sure I would trust a couple of lag bolts to a floor joist for support, but I can see running something a bit more substantial to hold the weight. Thanks for sharing... gives me a good idea on what to do.

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks!

[@bigmatt0482]

Great idea, just got my first wrangler with a hard top. Definitely doing this!!

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks Matt, it works great!

That's not jury riggin it's ingenuity. This kind of thinking is exactly what keeps things moving forward and gets things done. Someone had to jury rig before anyone invented anything. "Need" is the mother of invention.

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks for the compliment!

[@michaeledenfield4784]

A country boy, will survive! Great work.Im off to harbor freight

[@marksagan3210]

Did this today. Worked out great. Glad I had that cigarette outlet in the back.

[@ericulch934]

I bought a 440 lb electric hoist at Harbor Freight and they give you a 20% coupon so I spent $71. Plugged right in to my garage door opener outlet. Mounted to my ceiling joist above . I already had some straps so yea definitely better than spending a small fortune for all those crappy gadgets out there. The top of a 2 door jeep only weighs about 145 lbs with the Freedom tops already pulled off.

[@matthewvincent6077]

This is something my grandpa would come up with good job man.... R.i.p Steve

[@ForceBuilt]

Yeah, my grandpa could just about do anything too! Thanks!

[@matthewvincent6077]

@@ForceBuilt your welcome man

[@bhr549]

Thanks for posting this, it’s given me a few fresh ideas for hoisting Jeep tops, roll bars, and tubs in my garage.. I fortunately have an i beam..

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks for watching Brent!

[@raphaelprentice8413]

Innovation at its finest. Cool setup and easy on the budget. Thanks. Will be doing this also

[@mikefogle5874]

Excellent! Going to try this in my carport. Thanks for the idea!

[@MrMcgooOG]

Excellent set up, big thankyou. .I power my winch with a jumper pack

[@mentz8915]

Dig it man, just bought my 1st Jeep and will put together a setup in my barn like this. Thank you for sharing that, Jeep on brotha ✌️

[@StreetersGarage]

Great Idea. I’m going to use this winch for my Jeep over the weekend. Another way to do the wiring and clean up the mess is too leave all of the original winch wiring intact. Run it over to the wall or above the approximate location of the battery. Attach the 2 leads to the surface about 8” apart. Then utilizing a set of jumper cables. Attach one set of cables to the leads and then move the Jeep into position. Open the hood and then the cables to the battery and lift off the top. Once you’re done. Remove the jumper cables and throw them in the Jeep. Hope this makes sense. I’ll be posting a video of my setup over the weekend.

[@reddodge4423]

I love this just for the jerry rigging, like logically it all seems good, but it just fells really sketchy 😂😂

[@ForceBuilt]

Yeah, I know. Really the only sketchy thing is the way I connect to the battery. Not a problem since I am the only one that uses it. If other people were involved I would for sure make a change. The system that holds the top and the straps are a solid as can be and I wouldn't change a thing. Thanks for watching Red!

[@zohaibahmed15]

Great idea sir!!! I just lifted my hard top today and it was a breeze!! Thank you!

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks! Glad to Help out! Jeep On!

[@inmoparwetrust1836]

Amazing. I've been looking for a solution for removing and storing my hard top. This is genius. And also has the aggregate value of not occupying floor or lateral space. I have a one car garage and "This is the way". Thank you Sir. Jeep on!!

[@ForceBuilt]

Jeep on! Thanks a bunch!

[@pierre9638]

"This is the way"

[@lapartydjs]

My goodness this is genius. Thank you so much for this video and for putting up the link to buy the winch. You are the coolest dude on this planet. Thanks again

[@willseyler9634]

Very nice. I will borrow some of these ideas for my hardtop removal.

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks! It will work great!

[@timothydillard9507]

Just picked up my manual JL Sport yesterday, same color as yours. Gonna hook this system up in a few months when it gets warmer out. Thanks and great idea w the tie downs to avoid wind (or kids) moving it around

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks and congratulations on the new JL! Did you get the 2.0 or 3.6?

[@timothydillard9507]

Yessir

[@timothydillard9507]

FuturaForce 3.6. I wanted the 2.0 however I don’t believe they offer it in a manual otherwise w all my city driving I would have

[@reneespinosa7951]

Thanks for the idea. Got a little project this weekend. Fall season. Jeep season. 👋

[@ForceBuilt]

Gotta love Jeeps! Love mine all year long...

[@chrisharris9574]

I’ve looking for ways to do this cheaper. This seems to be the best one I’ve seen built. I’m going to build this. Thank You.

[@timbartlett4898]

All that I can do ...is smile !! Thank you sir !!!

[@ForceBuilt]

You welcome!

[@djroot1]

Great video. One idea on re-installing your hard top - mark the center of your tires so you know where to line up your car. That might save a little time.

[@carolstacy9763]

Love it! This will be my system too! Thanks for the great detailed video!

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks Carol Stacy! It works great. Thanks for watching!

[@rlowry8021]

I did something very close to this, but make it easy on yourself and buy the "T" bar with the lifting "J" hooks. My opinion is that with the straps you'll still end up lifting the top and aligning it yourself. The whole reason to put together something like this is to make it easy, the straps aren't easy, the "T" bar makes it easy. Thanks for sharing the video.

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks for the comment. I haven't had any problems doing it this way. I'm sure the T bar is more convenient for some. I was doing this as cheap as possible and turned out better than expected! Thanks!

[@chriscarr1791]

What is the t bar ? Any links ?

[@mikeengland8621]

Nice Job - Thanks for the great video idea!

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks for watching Mike!

[@bobnoblesjr.465]

Awesome! May just do this for mine. Well done!

[@ForceBuilt]

Go for it! Mine works great!

[@arturus]

Excellent! Gotta start reinforcing my carport this weekend and take a trip to Harbor Freight. Thanks for the tip and thorough explanation.

[@THEBIGCHULETA]

Brilliant idea. I’m going to harbor freights this next weekend

[@ForceBuilt]

That's great! Good luck and thanks for the comment!

[@diekatze9361]

I will have my garage in a few weeks , thanks for the tip sir . Well a few more months till spring as well

[@DSMcCord16]

My gawd! Hillbilly ingenuity at it's best! Good job!

[@johnsanchez5751]

Great Idea. Great job. Great video. I'm going to use this system as well....thank you.

[@olivr7]

Genius! I wish I had watched this video at the start of summer... 😆 But I’ll do it next year! Thanks!

[@Daltonroark55]

Best KZbinr I’ve came across by far

[@410magic]

I made one from this video, i bought a wench from harbor freight for 50 bucks, it works great!!

[@ForceBuilt]

That is GREAT! Proud it worked out for you too!

[@MrJeff1188]

I’m impressed sir! Thank you, I’ll be visiting harbor freight soon. 🙂

[@ForceBuilt]

MrJeff1188 glad you like it!

[@TxCwby]

You can get a system like that already made and kitted...for about $600‘s!!!! Great Jury rigging (Or is it Jerry rigging ‘cause it’s so cheap?). Good thinking and wonderful Southern charm, to boot! Jeep on!

[@beardedjohnson]

Nice setup! I'm just envious that you have a garage to put your Jeep in. lol

[@ForceBuilt]

Bearded Johnson thanks!

[@davidkeeton6716]

I just used the hand crank winch from a boat trailer with steel cable, but good rope would be fine and made up 4 short straps to go to the Topsy brand window hinge mount brackets and a strap with rings on it that goes across the top(inside). Clips on with small carabiners. Attached the winch to the wall, a couple pulleys, one on the wall above the winch, the other to the ceiling. No wiring or electrical anything. I have less than $50 in it all.

[@glenlafortune9943]

You should put something behind your back wheels before you leave so you have a gauge on where to back up to when you come back. 👍🏻

[@ForceBuilt]

Good ideal!

[@MyGameRun]

Brilliant! I’m going to do exactly the same thing!

[@stevemartinism]

Pretty smart way of powering you winch. With the price of ever upgrade, it nice to save money we’re you can . Well done.

[@DillweedMcCoy]

I used the electric hoist from HF and it only cost $15 more. No need for the weird battery hookup. Also the straps won’t hurt the weatherstripping.

[@ForceBuilt]

Cool! Good idea. Yeah, I agree about the straps but it is so easy to go under the weather stripping. I though why not ;)

[@midnightsun2483]

Great job!!! I believe I’ll be heading to harbor freight soon

[@ForceBuilt]

Man yeah! Good luck!

[@davidthomas8265]

Brilliant piece of ingenuity, well done sir!

[@ForceBuilt]

David Thomas thank you!

[@sacredshogun6325]

Sir, that was simply magnificent.

[@ForceBuilt]

Thank you Javier!!

[@outdoorcooks630]

Just what I been looking for!!! Love love love it!! Thanks! Subbed!

[@ForceBuilt]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@DillweedMcCoy]

OutDoor Stuff buy the hoist not the winch like he did. Hoist is only like $15 more and it’s a much cleaner setup. It plugs into your garage door opener outlet in the ceiling

[@michaelmurray2592]

Man that's a great video! Thank you for sharing your idea with everyone.

[@toeknee5703]

Love it!! Going to install one in my garage in a few weeks!!

[@ForceBuilt]

That's great! Proud you like it! Hope you like yours like I do mine!

[@fatfatboy2366]

Nice set up, Sir.

[@ForceBuilt]

Glad you like it!

[@jblocking]

Great Job! Thank you for sharing - saves hundreds!!!

[@scttdllr]

Not sure if you know it or not, but you have a DC outlet on the front of your center counsel. You must first press the DC power button on your dash first though. No need for those jumper cables.

[@ForceBuilt]

Yeah, I knew it was there. I have used it for other stuff. Thanks for the input!

[@Mandhcc2]

This is wild😂😂😂just buy one.

[@ForceBuilt]

I like it lol. Keeps me alert haha. Thanks for watching

[@barnhouse111]

This is a great idea, good job! My JKU also has the 12V cigarette lighter plug in the rear. I’m thinking I could do this and pull 12V DC right from the rear outlet.

[@ForceBuilt]

I would try that for sure! Mine didn't have the outlet. Thanks!

[@chrissarkinen-e8j]

Cigarette lighters usually have wimpy limits on amperage…..I’d think you’d pop fuses left and right.

[@briankalinowski3547]

Great video. Just picked up a gladiator and seems like a good solution for the top. Can even make it a little easier by just powering by plugging into the outlet in the back of the truck bed. Thanks!

[@ForceBuilt]

Nice! I wish mine had the powered outlet or at least a 12v accessory plug. I could have gotten an AC winch and plugged into an outlet on my house but they are quiet a bit higher. Good Luck! Congrats on a Gladiator too!!!

[@johnk4293]

I’d be curious to hear if the cigarette lighter adapter can handle the motor. Let us know how that goes.

[@FlyingBJJSHlT]

If I do this, I’d probably buy a cheap battery to keep it connected to instead of using my truck battery, just for the added convenience. Great idea overall.

[@ForceBuilt]

That makes a lot of sense. I am planning on that also. I wanted to go as cheap as possible in the beginning. Very happy with the results. Thanks for watching!

[@chrisfutrell9130]

I just used a jump box to power

[@p.rod147]

Where do you want to hoist to be centered in relation to the top? Great video and thanks in advance!!

[@ForceBuilt]

I tried to get it centered with the rear side windows. If you do that, leave the back glass open and it will hang pretty level. Thanks!

[@360cameramanQ]

This was SO SMART AND COOL🔥🔥🔥

[@jason43050]

I used a battery charger to power mine. I haven't put a load on it yet to see if it's enough amps yet.

[@ForceBuilt]

Awesome Jason! Never thought of that. May work great. Good Luck!

[@eggr17ify]

I'll be honest the $100 option from Amazon seems a lot easier. But this is pretty cool if you want to make something yourself

[@ForceBuilt]

I will check that out. I haven't seen it. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[@727brianq]

This is genius! Absolutely love it!

[@ForceBuilt]

Thank you for watching!

[@finnmcqueen9072]

You, Sir - are a Wiggletown Genius! Fondly - a North Country transplant living in SoCal

[@ForceBuilt]

Not sure if that's a compliment or not. Wiggletown? Just a country boy in the south here. Thanks for the comment!

[@finnmcqueen9072]

FuturaForce oh that’s a compliment, Papa! The highest of compliments. Went to Harbor Freight about fifteen minutes later. Did mine with 400lb test nylon rope. Brought it in for $60 total including our absurd 10% CA tax. Not enough room in my garage with the existing ceiling racks to leave my back window open, so I ran two long ropes and looped them through the bolt holes. Worked like a charm.

[@finnmcqueen9072]

BTW, Wiggletown is a region in Upstate NY where this kinda brilliant ingenuity is the cultural norm.

[@billeckhardt8834]

Questions?? caan you please share the distance the winch is from the back wall... ? thanks!!

[@ForceBuilt]

It is roughly 6 feet.

[@HooliganSyndicate]

Pretty awesome! Well done!

[@chuckmiller2741]

This is almost exactly what I was looking for!

[@ForceBuilt]

Actually works great! Thanks for commenting!

[@iscaballero2471]

Out Standing...That was Great

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@darrenhopper5343]

Great idea, works perfectly.

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks Darren!

[@HuyFishin]

Pretty darn sweet idea

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks!

[@m.a.9579]

Nice job my friend. Thank you for this new idea.

[@elleehunter-jones2337]

Fantastic idea. THANK you for sharing

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks, Glad you liked it!

[@Joey0366]

Nice set up man. Thanks

[@SilntMercy]

Great video. Curious what you did to the straps to secure the loops so they won't unravel? A specific type of knot?

[@ForceBuilt]

I made a big loop at one end. Hold the main strap and the tail of the loop in the same hand. Should have a rabbit ear looking loop hanging down. Grab the loop(ear) and holding both straps in the other hand tie a hard knot in the loop. Won't go anywhere now.

[@kellyallen4157]

This is great. I love it. Can you tell me how long your straps are?

[@ForceBuilt]

Haha yeah 8.5 feet. No one reads my description :( lol.

[@SomeGuy8796]

pretty slick there bud

[@jamesmh21]

You sir are a genius!

[@ForceBuilt]

Wow, what a great compliment! Thanks for watching!

[@philipdelzmen7226]

Very nice,,,, best set up on KZbin I've seen..... Would the winch be able to be powered by the 12v DC outlet in the cargo area of the jeep ?? I have one in my JLUR...

[@ForceBuilt]

I would think so. Mine didn't have it. I sold mine and I am looking for a JLU! Thanks and good luck!

[@imabeastonwheels]

Philip Delzmen have you attempted to connect the winch to your DC outlet in your Jeep? I’m curious to see if it worked.

[@philipdelzmen7226]

@@imabeastonwheels I havent done it yet,,, but will let you know if & when I get around to it...

[@nzuraw]

So two straps with loop ends? What knot did you use? Definitely going to do this

[@ForceBuilt]

Yes Nicholas 2 loops. I make a big loop and just grab the entire loop and make a hard knot(Not a slip knot).

[@nzuraw]

@@ForceBuilt Thanks - just ordered all the bits. Looking forward to going top-less

[@oscarurquidi7702]

That is sweet, I like that set up, any reason you you just don’t use AC?

[@ForceBuilt]

Oscar Urquidi it is cheaper for dc. I was going as cheap as possible. Ac would have been better because I have an outlet by my door opener. I forgot about that until I got home with everything lol.

[@adrianalvarez9267]

So u could of just plugged it into an outlet ?

[@ForceBuilt]

@@adrianalvarez9267 yes.

[@adrianalvarez9267]

FuturaForce how would you wire it ?

[@ForceBuilt]

@@adrianalvarez9267 You would have to buy the one made for AC outlet. It would come wired with the correct plug. But they are more expensive.

[@taylorsnyder3329]

Great video! I know nothing on electrical. Could you have just plugged the extension into the wall instead of hooking it up to the jumper cables? Do you think bolting it to a stud in my garage ceiling will be the same or will it not support the weight? It's just an attic above, not a room. Thanks for the video and all the details!

[@ForceBuilt]

Depends on what size stud you have and how long. I would say it should be ok. The top isn't that heavy. No, please don't plug into the wall. You will get magic smoke! Meaning bad things will happen. Thanks for the comments.

[@taylorsnyder3329]

@@ForceBuilt Thank you, I'll look into the stud size.

[@briankalinowski3547]

@@ForceBuilt Why concerns over plugging into wall?

[@ForceBuilt]

@@briankalinowski3547 This is a DC winch(Battery power only). Wall is AC(Make winch go Boom). They do however have AC winches at Harbor Freight. A little more price but more convenient. Thanks

[@tfwoodcraft]

Genius! Have any issues with that cheap winch after a year of use?

[@ForceBuilt]

Well, I sold my Jeep and only have a TJ with a soft top. I am in the process of finding a JL. But no it worked every time I needed it to. The top is way lighter than what the rating for the winch is. I don't think durability will be a problem. Thanks!

[@rflash3]

Can you come install this at my house lol

[@jessicadiesel]

I was thinking the same thing I was gonna ask sir do live in houston Texas by any chance loool

[@sweetsalo1]

I know this is probably a stupid question but why not just plug it into and outlet once you have the plug? Great work BTW!

[@ForceBuilt]

Battery power only. Ac wall outlet would destroy the winch. Thanks for watching!

[@tacticalmulegaming4375]

If I hadn't lost my darn remote for my winch this would be perfect

[@ansonrivers36]

For another $10 you could’ve mounted the winch to a stud on the back of your garage wall and ran the cable from it up and over to drop location with 2 heavy duty porch swing hangers. Then all your cords are easier to get to including the power wires to possibly hook to a battery source mounted next to it like a motorcycle or car battery on a shelf

[@chrissarkinen-e8j]

I was thinking similar….but a ceiling mounted pulley.

[@DHandyFamily]

Just curious as to why you didn’t use the winch on your Jeep? That’s what I am working on at the moment.

[@ForceBuilt]

Don't have one on my jeep. I use the winch to hold it in place. You will have to get a way of disconnecting the winch while something else holds the top off the ground.

[@NooDLES411911]

I'm assuming these winches won't give way under load with no power? Haven't had any issues?

[@ForceBuilt]

Won't give way. Holds very well. Sold my Jeep now and have to find another one. Would like to try this same setup on a JL.

[@markgraziadio8795]

Nice setup. Did you install the soffit on the ceiling before or after the garage door hardware was installed? It looks great.

[@ForceBuilt]

Before. Thanks for the question!

[@brianmdzzz]

amazing set up i did one myself thanks to the video but i have a problem with the top tilting back because its heaver on the back any suggestions?

[@ForceBuilt]

Sorry for the late response. I didn't have that problem. I had my hooks centered with the rear glass as best that I could. You can try closing your rear glass and it should tilt it back forward because of weight distribution change. Hope this helps!

[@therealrealshocker]

Genius! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 thanks for sharing!

[@ForceBuilt]

Glad you liked it!

[@727brianq]

Im no electrician by any means but how can I just convert the winch power to a normal electric outlet power? Please explain in layman’s terms and list any parts if possible. I’d really like to do this in my garage with 20ft ceilings but plug it in to where my garage door opener plugs in. I see all the goofy ropes and pulleys and don’t want all that hanging when I don’t have hardtop off.

[@ForceBuilt]

I would recommend getting a hoist that is made to plug into an outlet. Here is one from harbor freight. www.harborfreight.com/1300-lb-electric-hoist-with-remote-control-62853.html

[@allketorecipes3830]

Great Job!! Going to do this! Thanks!

[@ForceBuilt]

Hope you like it!

[@coop4274]

You could just splice a cigarette lighter adapter on the winch lead and plug it into the outlet in the back of the Jeep. Easy no need to pop the hood.

[@ForceBuilt]

No outlet in mine😫. I was gonna do that. Apparently they didn't offer the $1 cigarette plug on some models. Thanks, that would work. Just not on mine. Mine doesn't have the factory sub. I think that is the difference.

[@robnfl]

Awesome idea! How long are the straps that you are using? I see that Harbor Freight sells straps of various lengths with hooks or loops. It would be more convenient if I used one of those. Thanks.

[@ForceBuilt]

The straps are 8.5 Feet. Thanks for watching!