DIY - Bronco Hoist on 10 foot sliding Track. ~ $150 build

djp
Jun 06, 2023

Rank II

Jun 06, 2023

Hey all, it's Dan from BroncoBikini.com (100-MPH, Waterproof, Canvas Bimini's)
It's getting hot out there, y'all take your tops off the easy way!

Want to raise your hard top, and slide it out of the way?
And want to do it without breaking the bank and in only 2 minutes?

Pricing Update: March 14, 2024. I just clicked the links and added pricing it's $124.
Then add the lag screws you need ~ $10. And if you dont have a metal step bit to drill the tolley hold a bit bigger that's another $10. So still under $150, pre tax.

Here is how....

  • [$36] 10' Unistrut - this is your track
    • Link: Unistrut from Lowes
      • Even if you dont have room for a 10' track, get the 3' track. That way you dont have to perfectly back up, it will give you 3-feet of wiggle room
  • [$13] Strut Trolley - This trolley is mandatory, it has smaller wheels so will bypass your lag bolts that hold the Unistrut up. They claim it has 250-lb load rating.
  • [$59] Chain hoist - i like this 1/4 inch one as it has a non-greased chain and is clean and simple
  • [$15] 2" Tree Swing straps - (8-foot -- but I tied knot in mine so they are about 7' now)
  • (optional) Also get yourself a little bucket or bag, this will serve as your chain catch bucket/bag, so the excess chain doesnt droop down and rest on your hardtop.
  • Then some wood lag bolts and washers, make sure to lag screw into your studs
    • My ceiling joists are 16" on center, so I have (7) total 3/16" x 1-3/4 lag screws into my studs/joists holding this up very strong!
  • Some sort of bolt to drill through the end of the strut, as a stopper so they trolley doesnt fly off :)

Feel free to reach out to me on BroncoBikini.com if you have any questions or want pointers.
-Dan

IMG_6963.JPG

That "red bucket thing" is a chain bag. I stole his sand castle bucket from the beach :).
I use it as a chain catch, so the lifting chain never touches my bronco top :)

the poacher, TK1215

Rank IV

Jun 11, 2023

#20
This is a nice simple design, keep in mind, the 2 door top approx 60lbs, 4 door top lighter still, add the cheap electric hoist lighter than a chain hoist - https://www.harborfreight.com/mater...60S1CMfC-gVVEdEf71qy9bGNvxiOf7rhoCQm8QAvD_BwE

Rank II

Nov 01, 2023

#21
Finally finished my DIY hoist - well almost, planning on replacing the 2x4s of the floating shelf with aluminum rectangle 1x2s but here's my setup:

Also want to set up something to keep the hooks elevated until the rack is fully lowered onto roof (probably some paracord tied across that the hooks can latch onto)- those hooks are super heavy and don't want them clanging around on the top or windows. This thing is WAYYY overkill but it was a fun project I got to work on with my brother and it didn't cost nearly what one of the in the box setups run.

PXL_20231015_154000004.jpgPXL_20231004_032240233.jpg
James M., Ditchrunner

Rank II

Jan 08, 2024

#22
Looking at electric hoists and ideasfor my garage.I have13’ceilings and a large LVL beam that is 12’ at lowest point.

Can someone let me know the total height from your hoist top to hardtop bottom? I want to see if it will hang above my garage door. I have about 3’8” above my door. I can use maybe just use a hoist with a top hook and remote bolted to the middle of the beam as not to lag screw into the bottom. LVL specs.

Rank II

Jan 08, 2024

#23
from top of hook, just under my C-channel is about 3'3. I'm sure i can tighten up all of the straps to make it < 3'

That hoist from top hook to bottom hook is about 11".
And hard top itself i think is only 22".

1704740383488.png
Deano Bronc

Rank II

Jan 08, 2024

#24
from top of hook, just under my C-channel is about 3'3. I'm sure i can tighten up all of the straps to make it < 3'

That hoist from top hook to bottom hook is about 11".
And hard top itself i think is only 22".

1704740383488.png
Thank you so much djp. Huge help!

Rank II

Jan 09, 2024

#25
I am going to do a track with a remote electric hoist. I have to mount it to a large lvl in the middle 1/3 of the middle 1/3 of the beam. Should be interesting.

Rank II

Jan 09, 2024

#26
Looking at electric hoists and ideasfor my garage.I have13’ceilings and a large LVL beam that is 12’ at lowest point.

Can someone let me know the total height from your hoist top to hardtop bottom? I want to see if it will hang above my garage door. I have about 3’8” above my door. I can use maybe just use a hoist with a top hook and remote bolted to the middle of the beam as not to lag screw into the bottom. LVL specs.

Mine is a 10' ceiling - I have a couple of inches clearance to drive under the suspended top even with the aluminum support bars.
Ben221

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