If you own a Jeep, you know the drill when it comes to hardtops: they protect the inside of your vehicle during the cold, rainy months of the year and can be removed in the warmer months for open-top driving.
This adaptability is one of the Jeep’s biggest selling points - but it can also present an issue if you don’t have the right equipment.
Hardtops vary in weight according to make and model, but the average Jeep hardtop weighs roughly in the region of 150 lbs. Removing a component of this weight from the top of a Jeep without causing damage to the vehicle (or worse, injuring yourself) can therefore be a difficult task.
Investing in a hardtop hoist can solve this problem by providing a strong mechanism designed to lift the hardtop off your Jeep with minimal effort and risk.
We’ve compiled a list of the 5 best Jeep hardtop hoists on the market so you can easily enjoy the warm weather from your car whenever you like!
Our buyers guide and FAQ section will take you through everything you should consider when purchasing a Jeep hardtop hoist so you can feel as confident as possible in your final decision.
OUR TOP PICK
This multipurpose electric hoist from Partsam combines strength and efficiency with high-level safety features, making it an ideal choice for a Jeep hardtop hoist.
Partsam’s electric hoist is designed to be attached to your garage ceiling and operates at a double-line lifting speed of 33 ft per minute, meaning it will lift your hardtop off your Jeep in seconds. There is also a slower reverse mode for lowering so that you can safely lower the hardtop back onto your Jeep when needed.
The Partsam electric hoist can lift up to 440 lbs thanks to the wire ropes’ tensile strength of 1870 N/m. It also features an emergency stop/panic button should anything go wrong, so you can rest assured that this hoist is safe to use in all eventualities.
2 lift slings are also included with the purchase so you won’t need to purchase these separately before use. However, you will also need to have, or install, a bar or beam in your garage to attach the hoist to.
Pros
- Multipurpose
- Electric mechanism requires no physical effort
- Fast lifting speed of 33 ft per minute on double-line
- Slower reverse mode for safe lowering
- Lifts up to 440 lbs
- Features emergency stop button
- 2 lift slings included
Cons
- Requires a metal bar or beam for installation
EDITORS CHOICE
HARKEN’s Jeep Hardtop Overhead Garage Storage Hoist is specifically designed for Jeep hardtop removal, so you can be confident in the knowledge that this product is purpose-built to do the best possible job. It also doubles as a storage system for maximum convenience.
Compatible with Wrangler and Gladiator Jeep models, this hoist can lift up to 145 lbs with the pulley system, which lifts weight evenly and reduces weight by 6 times. The pulleys are made of sturdy stainless steel, ensuring durability.
In the event that the rope is dropped, the hoist’s self-gripping cleat will automatically lock, preventing vehicle damage or injury.
The four-point hoist kit includes mounting hardware, illustrated instructions, and an installation video.
Pros
- Easy to operate
- Doubles as storage system
- Strong and durable stainless steel pulley system
- Automatic safety locking feature
- Includes mounting hardware
- Includes detailed installation instructions
Cons
- Operation requires a certain degree of physical effort
- Installation requires lumber rafters
- Weight limitation of 145 lbs makes this product unsuitable for heavier hardtops
BEST VALUE
Like HARKEN’s hardtop hoist, Hoist-A-Top’s Hardtop Removal System is purpose-built for safe and effective hardtop lifting.
This hoist is electrically powered, so there’s no need to exert yourself physically to remove your hardtop. It functions through the use of a sturdy steel frame, which attaches to your hardtop and lifts it away.
The complete turnkey system allows for equally easy lowering when needed. In the meantime, the Hoist-A-Top Hardtop Removal System is strong enough to keep your hardtop suspended out of the way, providing a useful storage system.
The hardware is foam-covered and the hooks are covered with rubber to prevent any damage to your hardtop during lifting or while in storage.
This hoist includes easy-to-follow installation instructions to facilitate the set-up procedure.
Pros
- Electrically powered for easy operation
- Stores your hardtop when not in use
- Sturdy stainless steel frame for strength and durability
- Includes installation instructions
Cons
- Does not include winch cable
- Reports of lack of compatibility with JL or JK models
RUNNER UP
Another hoist from Hoise-A-Top, this hoist is designed for simplicity and ease of use.
If you’re looking for a hardtop hoist for your Jeep but don’t want anything too complicated in terms of design or installation, this is the system for you.
Attaching to your garage ceiling from two anchor points, this hoist fastens to your hardtop with the help of 2 custom straps and JL hooks.
The hand-crank winch and durable stainless steel cables facilitate the lifting process, winching your hardtop away from your Jeep and storing it in suspension until next use. Minimal exertion is required.
Mounting hardware and installation instructions are also included, so all you need on your end are the tools.
Pros
- Easy to operate
- Mounting hardware included
- Installation instructions included
Cons
- Reports of included lag bolts bending under weight
RUNNER UP
This hoist from HARKEN may be primary designed for cargo boxes, but it also works well as a hardtop hoist!
Lifting up to 145 lbs, this hoist is designed for even weight distribution and easy, safe operation. Like HARKEN’s Jeep Hardtop Storage Hoist, this hoist reduces weight by 6 times and includes self-locking cleats for added safety in the event that the rope is accidentally dropped. It is also functional as a storage system.
The double-braided rope and stainless steel hardware ensure that this hoisting system is durable and strong.
Illustrated installation instructions and installation video are included, as in the previous HARKEN model, and the block and tackle come pre-assembled to facilitate the installation process.
Pros
- Supports up to 145 lbs in weight
- Functions as a storage system
- Self-locking cleats included for safety
- Pre-assembled block and tackle
- Installation instructions and video included
Cons
- Some physical exertion is required for operation
Best Jeep Hardtop Hoist Buying Guide
As you can see from the products reviewed above, the Jeep hardtop hoists on the market each come with their own set of features, advantages, and limitations.
The perfect hoist for one person may not be the right for another. That’s why we’ve put together this buyers guide to help you determine which hardtop hoist is most suitable for your needs.
Model Compatibility
The first and most important thing to consider is the compatibility of any given hoist with the model of your Jeep.
Most hoists have some level of flexibility in terms of where they can attach to, meaning that they are suitable for use with a variety of Jeep models, but others are specifically designed for a certain model - for example, the Wrangler or the Gladiator.
So it’s important to verify whether a hoist will be compatible with your Jeep before you make your purchase.
Weight Limitations
Not all hardtop hoists are created equal in terms of their load-bearing capacity.
To prevent damage to your vehicle or injury to yourself during lifting, it is vitally important to know how much your hardtop weighs at the time of purchase, and to check the weight limitations of the hoist.
Most hardtop hoists will lift up to 145 lbs, which should be sufficient for most standard hardtops. However, if you’re dealing with a slightly heavier hardtop, a higher load-bearing capacity may be required.
Multipurpose or Purpose Built
If you’re just looking for a hoist for your Jeep’s hardtop and don’t have any other heavy lifting requirements, you may want to focus exclusively on your hoist’s functionality as a hardtop winch.
However, if you have additional lifting requirements, such as kayaks, canoes, or car storage boxes, a multipurpose hoist that can lift a variety of objects might be ideal for you.
A hoist that can double as a storage unit for your hardtop or other objects will also be useful if you have limited space in your garage, or just want to keep it as tidy as possible.
This has the added advantage of keeping your hardtop or other items safely out of the way when not in use to avoid damage.
Electric or Manual
Hardtop hoists for Jeeps vary in many different ways, but there are primarily two types of hardtop winching systems: electric and manual.
A manual winch will typically involve the use of a pulley system or hand-crank, whilst an electric winch operates at the touch of a button.
Whilst electric winches may generally cost more than manual ones, they often perform more quickly and require less physical exertion than manual systems which, despite significantly reducing the amount of weight supported by the user, still require some physical effort.
Electric hardtop hoists, therefore, are especially useful for those with limited mobility.
Durability
Because a hardtop hoist’s primary purposes are heavy lifting and long-term item suspension, making sure that your hoist is strong and durable is of the utmost importance.
To ensure that your hardtop hoist is sufficiently durable, make sure that all load-bearing components, for example, wires and clips, are made of sturdy materials, such as stainless steel.
Assembly
A Jeep is an expensive vehicle and hardtops are expensive components, so if you’re feeling nervous about assembling your hardtop hoist yourself, it’s best to take as few chances as possible.
If you have minimal experience with mechanical product assembly, where possible, select a hoist with a relatively simple assembly procedure and clear instructions.
The best way to reduce the steps involved in assembling the product on your end is to choose a hoist that comes with some components pre-assembled.
This way, you can save yourself time and energy whilst also ensuring that the relevant components are securely assembled to factory standards.
Installation Requirements
Some hardtop hoists will have specific requirements for installation, so it’s important to verify what these are before you purchase your chosen product.
For example, many hoists will require a strong ceiling bar, beam, or lumber rafters to attach to. Without these features, it may not be possible for you to use the product, so be sure to check that you have, or can have installed, any structures required for the installation of your hoist.
Additional Features
The advantages of a hardtop hoist often lie not only in the hoist itself but also in the additional features included with the product.
The inclusion of installation hardware is a great selling point as this reduces the number of separate purchases you will need to make in order to install your hoist.
The installation process can also be greatly facilitated by the inclusion of illustrated installation instructions, or even an installation video.
If you’re relatively inexperienced in terms of hardware installation, consider choosing a hardtop hoist that includes illustrated or video instructions, as these provide useful visual guides that are likely to speed up the process and ensure long-lasting results the first time around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a hardtop hoist for my Jeep?
It is possible to remove a Jeep’s hardtop without a hoist, but this process can be laborious and generally requires more than one person.
If you can’t always count on having another person around to help you remove and replace your hardtop, or if you deal with mobility issues, the use of a hardtop hoist is highly recommended to prevent accident or injury.
Moreover, if you’re a very busy person, or if you live somewhere with particularly unpredictable or changeable weather conditions, using a hoist can significantly reduce the time you spend removing and replacing your Jeep’s hardtop, making it easier for you to stick to your schedule and get where you need to go on time.
Can I build my own hardtop hoist?
Like most products available for purchase on the market, if you’re handy enough with tools and have enough engineering knowledge, you can construct your own hardtop hoist using professional-grade materials.
However, when it comes to load-bearing equipment that is responsible for ensuring the safety of yourself and your vehicle during the lifting process, and storing your hardtop in suspension for an indefinite period of time, relying on your own handiwork is seldom a good idea.
Hoists sold by licensed manufacturers will have been put through their paces in terms of rigorous safety testing, so you can be sure that the product you are buying is safe for use.
Therefore, we strongly recommend using a professionally designed and manufactured hardtop hoist for lifting and storing your hardtop, as this is the safest option for both yourself and your vehicle.