F.A.Q.

Does the Brake Winch and Electric Motor come with the Support Cradle and Harness Assembly or do I have to purchase that separately?

A - The manual pulley, the Brake Winch and Electric Motor all include Support Cradle and Harness Assembly as well as all necessary hardware and fasteners.

In your photo it would appear that the weather stripping is resting on the support cradle. Doesn't it become damaged over time?

A - The weather stripping is actually higher than the hard inner head liner. The contact points between the padded support cradle and the hardtop are with this hard inner head liner. Thus the weather stripping is not affected.

Can I leave my hardtop hanging in the hoist?

A - The hardtop is supported and balanced at three points in such a way that does not strain the structure, does not touch the paint and does not affect the weather stripping. You can cover your suspended hardtop and leave it up and out of harm's way for as long as you need to.

How high does my garage ceiling have to be?

A - Your ceiling can be as low as seven feet. It's generally a good idea to back your car into place for the removal and replacement procedure. This will accommodate a lower ceiling height and the hardtop will be over the hood of the car when you park normally so you won’t bang your head getting in and out of the car. Also, the lifting cable will be far enough into the garage to prevent interference with the garage door. The greatest advantage is replacing the hardtop - you can lower the hardtop to just a few inches higher than it would be as it sat on the car. This will make it very easy to back your car under it for a perfect alignment and absolutely safe replacement.

Which lifting system do you recommend?

A - All three lifting systems are very safe and easy to use. Of course, the easier it is to raise and lower the hardtop the safer it's going to be. The electric lifting system has a little box which houses the control switch and is small enough to allow you to actually use both hands to help position the hardtop as it is lowered onto the car.

How difficult is the installation?

A - The installation is quick and easy. If you have a ladder, a 1/4' drill, a Phillips screwdriver and a 9/16" socket you can install any of the three systems and have the hardtop removed from you car in about 45 minutes.

Is this really a "one person" operation?

A - Both the manual pulley system and the electric winch are truly a one person operation. Since the brake winch mounts to a wall stud it's necessary to be able to reach both the crank handle and the hardtop to make this a one person job. If you must park your car a farther distance from the wall you may need a second person to turn the crank handle.