Vertical hardtop storage

Kenneth G Zinis

Kenneth G Zinis

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 6, 2018
Messages
682
Location
Bethlehem, PA
Guys,

I'd like to store my TJ hardtop vertically to save space over summer. Thinking of building a rack out of lumber(carpet covered) to support weight on the rear of the C-pillars so no stress is on glass on glass. I'll use castors to allow easy movement.

What are your thoughts/experience? Any designs to share.

Thank you,

Ken
 
I bought the Besttop Hoss System off craislist new in the box from a guy that bought it then sold his jeep and never used it. It works great and easy to use, and since I have 2 sets of doors and upper windows the rack also holds all of my goodies. Also the door rack fits inside the top holder so it does not take up a lot more space.

https://www.bestop.com/jeep/2005/wrangler/hoss-full-system/
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Plumber1 said:
I bought the Besttop Hoss System off craislist new in the box from a guy that bought it then sold his jeep and never used it. It works great and easy to use, and since I have 2 sets of doors and upper windows the rack also holds all of my goodies. Also the door rack fits inside the top holder so it does not take up a lot more space.

https://www.bestop.com/jeep/2005/wrangler/hoss-full-system/
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How many points of contact for the roof unit on holder, 3, lower C-pillars plus cent rear above glass?
 
Kenneth G Zinis said:
How many points of contact for the roof unit on holder, 3, lower C-pillars plus cent rear above glass?
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It has two that secure the top, one at each side that the fiberglass locks into, and then a foam padded bar that supports the glass. To use it you slide the top back a couple of inches then it has a strap that hook into the front lip of the top and secures it in place that way when you slide the top back and off you lust tilt it down and it rests on the wheels the you roll it into the garage.

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Plumber1 said:
I bought the Besttop Hoss System off craislist new in the box from a guy that bought it then sold his jeep and never used it. It works great and easy to use, and since I have 2 sets of doors and upper windows the rack also holds all of my goodies. Also the door rack fits inside the top holder so it does not take up a lot more space.

https://www.bestop.com/jeep/2005/wrangler/hoss-full-system/
View attachment 146117
Click to expand...

I just bought this one as well. Glad you are happy with it.
 
Midwest said:
I just bought this one as well. Glad you are happy with it.
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You just have to be careful when pulling out the doors as sometimes the divider tubes want to pull out also. Other than that it has been great. The hard top holder is so easy to use, you can do it with 2 people but 3 makes it simple and only takes a few minutes.
 
Plumber1 said:
I bought the Besttop Hoss System off craislist new in the box from a guy that bought it then sold his jeep and never used it. It works great and easy to use, and since I have 2 sets of doors and upper windows the rack also holds all of my goodies. Also the door rack fits inside the top holder so it does not take up a lot more space.

https://www.bestop.com/jeep/2005/wrangler/hoss-full-system/
Click to expand...

I had no clue that was a Bestop product. The guy I purchased my LJ hardtop from also gave me that storage cart. I thought it was some random cart he used and adapted it to the hardtop.
 
il buono said:
I had no clue that was a Bestop product. The guy I purchased my LJ hardtop from also gave me that storage cart. I thought it was some random cart he used and adapted it to the hardtop.
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Did he give you the strap also ? because that's the key
 
Plumber1 said:
It has two that secure the top, one at each side that the fiberglass locks into, and then a foam padded bar that supports the glass. To use it you slide the top back a couple of inches then it has a strap that hook into the front lip of the top and secures it in place that way when you slide the top back and off you lust tilt it down and it rests on the wheels the you roll it into the garage.

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Thanks for the detailed pictures, very helpful.
 
Ken, I emailed you some full sized pics of my cart. I also made a drawing with dimensions of the cart but so far I haven't found it. I'll email it along to you if I find it. Good luck with your project.
 
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I have to pretty much take the hard top off and put it back on by myself, maybe a little help from my wife (not much help though :)). A hoist would be great but the roof hanging there will take up a lot of garage space, so I've been thinking about building a sort of platform that I can "walk" the roof off the Jeep onto. Slide it onto the platform in the Spring and back onto the Jeep in the Fall. Like this:

Hard top cart.jpg


Casters on the base and I can wheel it out of the way.
 
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