Hey, I follow this forum, but never posted before. I did some google searching for building an electric hard top hoist for my 88 4Runner. I found some kits online but they were all very expensive. I finally built a lift that was loosely based on one I saw for a Jeep. I wanted a way to lift it quickly and easily, so I can put it on if I need to use it in the rain or whatever, but I love driving with it off most of the time.

Anyways, the only lifts I could find online that people had built were manual ratcheting lifts with pulleys and chains and seemed like a pain in the a$$.

Here are some pictures, as well as some videos of the thing in action. I can give parts info if anyone is interested, but after a ton of trial an error, lots of swearing and beer, I finally got it, and it is pretty easy and cheap to make!

Video 1
Video 2

 

Welcome to Yotatech!

Nice lift, something I need to work on this summer as well!

 

very cool! good job on that man!


Welcome to YotaTech!






btw, I feel this might be posted in the wrong section, so don't freak out if the mods move it

 

Thanks! Where do you think would be more appropriate? I don't really know all the spots on this forum yet.

 

I would venture to say General Vehicle Related Topics (Non Year Related), but the staff may see it different, as the main goal of this lift would be to lift the removable hard top on a 4Runner, and considering the 1st gen 4Runner was the only one with a removable top, then that would in fact put this thread in the right place, lol. But one could also argue that and say that you could use it for the topper/cap on a pickup of any year

 

it is a good idea...
but just to let you know
if you dont put the hard top back on level ground
it will get warp and wont seal good
(personal xperience)twice

 

Thanks for the post...I thought about that actually, but I was wondering, would a set of 2x4's help with that? I was thinking I would hang two 2x4's with some chain and then lower the top onto those. That way it wold rest on the 2x4's. It would essentially be the same as having the 2x4s on the ground and setting it on them.

 

Nice lift, very creative. I don't see why that idea wouldn't work?