Updated at: 04-07-2022 - By: Lucas

The Jeep Wrangler is great because it can be used in many different ways, especially when the top is taken off. Unfortunately, the Wrangler hardtop is very heavy and out of balance, which makes it hard to take off by hand. You can put a Jeep hardtop hoist in your garage to take care of the top.

If you don’t put in a hardtop hoist, you will need help from a few friends or family members. With the best Jeep hardtop hoist, you can remove and reinstall the hardtop on your own.

Best Overall Jeep Hardtop Hoist: HARKEN

Best Overall Jeep Hardtop Hoist HARKEN

Look at the current price

SEE IT

The HARKEN hardtop hoist works with all Jeep Wranglers and some other hardtops as well. The hoist can lift up to 145 pounds, which is more than enough to move the Wrangler hardtop. It’s a four-point hoist with a 6:1 mechanical ratio that lets one person lift the top and store it against the ceiling.

It lifts and lowers evenly, and the cleats lock themselves, which is a big help for anyone working on their Jeep top by themselves. The self-locking cleats are a safety measure in case you accidentally let go of the top.

The hardware is made of stainless steel, and the double-braided rope is strong and long-lasting. You can be sure that the hardware and rope will hold up under the hardtop’s weight.

It comes in three sizes for ceilings of 10, 12, or 15 feet. You only need a ladder and a few simple power tools to set up the system.

Pros:

Easy to set up

Cleats that close themselves

Safety feature against falling

Balanced pull up

Cons:

Not many directions

There are three sizes, so measuring is a must (or at least a very good idea).

Best Value: Partsam 440

Look at the current price

SEE IT

The Partsam 440 is a strong electric hoist that doesn’t cost too much. If you want to lift the top of your Jeep yourself, an electric hoist is the fastest and safest way to do it. This hoist comes with a remote control and can hold up to 220 pounds on a single line.

When the lines are doubled, you can lift 440 pounds! A four-door JL or JK with a hardtop weighs about 140 pounds.

This electric hoist comes with a five-foot remote cord that lets you lift the top from a safe but close distance. The motor has less than one horsepower, but it’s enough to get the top to your ceiling.

A 36-inch strap and a 5.5-foot strap are part of the system. The 12-foot cable gives you a lot of room to work with different ceiling heights in your garage.

Pros:

low price

Remote control

Includes features that go with it

Simple to set up

Cons:

Needs a safety switch in case of emergency

Includes one size of cable

Best Overall Runner-Up: Hoister Direct

Best Overall Runner-Up Hoister Direct

Look at the current price

SEE IT

The Hoister Direct is cheap and works well. They made a do-it-yourself product that lets you lift heavy things with an 8:1 ratio. This means that one person can easily lift 200 pounds to the ceiling of their garage. The things that Hoister Direct sells are made in the United States.

Like the HARKEN hoist, the Hoister Direct has cleats that automatically lock for safety. The Jeep hardtop can be heavy, and if something were to happen to it, it would be very expensive to replace. If something goes wrong, the cleats will grab the rope.

For the average garage, the Hoister lift can move things up to 12 feet high. It comes with the hardware you need to set it up easily.

Pros:

Easy to set up

Cleats that close themselves

Quality hardware

American-made

Max weight of 200 pounds

Cons:

One size

Not many directions

Highest Weight Capacity: Partsam 880

Highest Weight Capacity Partsam 880

Look at the current price

SEE IT

The Partsam 880-pound Lift can be used to lift your Jeep top and a few other things. When you use two lines, this lift can move up to 880 pounds. You can lift up to 440 pounds with just one line.

Both limits are much more than the 140-pound limit for the Jeep hardtop. Some hard tops you buy aftermarket can weigh more than 350 pounds, so the strength of your hoist is important.

This hoist needs some extra support, so it uses the ceiling’s full strength. You’ll have to buy each one separately. It lifts at a rate of 19 feet per minute, so it does so for a reason. It has a 1.14 horsepower motor, an electric cord, and a remote with a cord.

It comes with a pair of rope slings to slide under your Jeep hardtop and steel-plated rope wires for extra strength. The fact that the system is quiet is a plus. The hoist only needs one person to work, but you might need more than one person to safely set it up.

Pros:

Easy to set up

Straps and wire ropes that are strong

Strong hoist

880 pounds of weight

Cons:

Need extra tools to safely install.

Parts are sometimes missing from the box.

Best Manual Hoist: Lange Originals

Best Manual Hoist Lange Originals

Look at the current price

SEE IT

Some Jeep owners prefer the manual Lange Originals Hoist because it gives them full control over their hoists. Only the two-door and four-door JL models will work with this hoist. Lange is the company that made the first Hoist-A-Top, and this top is made in the same way.

With a Lange hoist, one person can take off and lift JL hardtops. Two anchor points and a set of custom straps are used for installation. The JL hooks close the back window (which is a big problem with the JK models).

You turn the worm drive winch, which makes the braided steel cables spin, to lift the hardtop. Putting the top down is just as easy as putting it up. To put the hardtop lift on your ceiling, you will need your wood and sockets.

Pros:

One-person lift

Especially made for the JL

Priced within reach

Cons:

Need extra tools to safely install.

Some quality-control issues

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Look at what other Jeep owners have asked before you install a hardtop hoist.

What are the benefits of hoisting my Jeep hardtop?

When you hoist your Jeep top to your ceiling, you give yourself the tools you need to lift the top on your own. If not, the weight and awkward shape mean that at least three adults are needed to take it out and put it back.

When you lift the top, it clears up space in your garage so you can put other things there.

What are the different hoist types for Jeep hardtops?

Electrical or mechanical/manual hoists can be bought. Most electric models come with a corded remote, so you can stand away from your top while it goes up.

For a mechanical winch to work, you have to manually turn a crank or pull on a pulley system. Electric winches are easier to use, but mechanical ones cost less.

What is the ideal length for a hoist cable?

Each hoist needs a cable length that is a little bit different. If your garage is high, you may need a cable that is up to 15 feet long. Most garages only need a cable that is 12 feet long.

If you’re not sure, look for a cable or strap that can be tightened or loosened so that you don’t lose strength if you need to use less of it.

Keep in mind that your Jeep will be parked under the hoist, so you probably don’t need a very long cable. Before you lift it, the top will already be several feet off the ground.

Conclusion

Installing a hoist is all about enjoying your Jeep Wrangler and its convertible tops to their fullest. You won’t be able to take off the Jeep hardtop by yourself without a hoist. When you put in a hoist, you can lift your Jeep’s top in the summer and use it for other things in the garage in the winter.

Don’t just lift a Jeep with your new hoist. To safely install any kind of hoist, you have to find the joists, which is a lot of work. After all that work, you should use your hoist once a year.