by Eric Ammerman
Director of Content
Your Jeep Wrangler hardtop is perfect for protecting the vehicle, while also keeping its interior quiet through all types of weather. Additionally, it provides way more security and peace of mind than a regular soft top. However, as these later spring days turn warmer, that top can feel more like an obstacle when you want to enjoy a totally open cabin.
In reality, as long as you take your time and are as careful as possible, removing (and storing) your heavy Jeep hardtop can be one of the most rewarding ways to enjoy beautiful weather. The key words here are take your time and careful.
That may not be possible in some cases though, as limited time and storage space can make removal seem more of a chore and not really worth the open-air reward.
A word of warning, too — never try and lift the top off alone. Yes, we've probably all seen that video where the guy climbs in his Jeep and lifts the hardtop off by himself, then walks it backward to store. Maybe I am taking fewer risks as I get older, but the thought of dropping an expensive hardtop on the ground while performing some sort of CrossFit-style stunt just seems like a terrible (and expensive) idea.
For me, I’ve removed hardtops for many years with the help of just one other person and it's not hard to do. However, if finding a helper is not an option, then a hardtop hoist is an excellent alternative. And something you can do all by yourself.
Hardtop Hoist Systems:
Hardtop hoists are excellent if you have a garage or carport with enough ceiling height to safely lift the top off the vehicle, while still allowing enough room to move the Jeep in and out of the area. They range from manual hoists that use ropes and pulleys, all the way up to hoists that use a small winch to do all the heavy lifting. Most hoists also allow you to leave your top on the hoist system to store it and keep it out of harm’s way.
Now, there are always those claiming you can go the do-it-yourself route for a similar hoist system. And if you listen closely, you can hear those commenters starting their posts by telling us all about how they built a hoist with $13 worth of cheap ratchet straps and some 2x4 wood boards they found behind a shed. So I'll ask you this — how much do you really trust a strap to lift and support something that costs around $2,000, when that strap was actually designed to hold DOWN cargo? If you do attempt that kind of solution, then keep this link handy: Mopar Hardtops.. We’ll be more than happy to sell you a new one.
Free Standing Hoist:
The Lange Originals Hoist-A-Cart takes care of your hardtop hoisting needs if you don't have the area to install a standard hoist system. This free-standing cart system still uses a hoist to help pull the hardtop off your Jeep, but instead of using a wall or ceiling to support the top, the cart itself is the storage system.
One thing to keep in mind, though, if you choose a non-cart system, or if you decide not to leave the top on the hoist cable — you'll need a proper location to store the top and freedom panels, as well as some type of storage system. You can find our storage products right on our hardtop storage category page.
Now that you've figured out how you want to do the heavy lifting and storage, you are ready to get to work. First, remove those front Freedom Panels. You won't need any tools for that process, just undo all latches (and soundbar attachments on the JK) and pull off. Next, start unbolting the top from the Jeep using a T40 Torx wrench. If your Jeep is a later model, you should have a packet from Jeep that includes this tool as well as several useful Torx bits. Here are our guides for removal of either the JK or JL tops.
Recommended Reading:
What Are The Differences Between A Jeep Soft Top And Hardtop?
