How To Remove A Jeep Hardtop By Yourself
When the weather is warm and sunny, the best feeling in the world is ditching your Jeep Wrangler’s hardtop and going for a drive. There are so many fine occasions to go alfresco in your Jeep. Just imagine the feeling of sunshine warming your skin and a fresh breeze ruffling your hair. Now tell us you aren’t itching to head out for a drive! Of course, if your Jeep’s hardtop is still locked in place, it’s a bit harder to just grab your keys and go. One of the best parts of owning a Wrangler is the convertibility; however, if you don’t have help or a good Jeep hoist, it can be impossible to remove the hardtop on your own. Don’t delay your drive and miss out on another beautiful day of adventure. Here are a few tips from the TopLift Pros team for removing a Jeep hardtop.
Safety First
So, here’s the thing. It’s not impossible to remove a hardtop without help. It is, however, not something we recommend trying without the appropriate equipment. Wrangler hardtops aren’t particularly heavy or overly difficult to disengage—but they are big and bulky, which is what makes solo removal so complicated. We understand the frustration. It’s easy to go around and unscrew the bolts at each attachment point and, if applicable, disengage any lights or electrical components built into your hardtop. From there, it should be easy to just slide your hardtop off, store it safely in your garage, and hit the road. Right?
Not so much. If you want your hardtop to stay in good condition and the weatherproofing to continue keeping the elements at bay, you’ll need to be careful in the actual removal process. So, safety first. We know it’s tough to wait when the weather is perfect, but if you don’t have another person or a Jeep hoist to help you remove your hardtop, don’t try to remove it on your own. You could injure yourself or damage your hardtop. Is replacing your hardtop really worth trying to remove it on your own?
Removing Your Jeep Hardtop
Before you can pop your top off your Wrangler, you’ll want to remove or disconnect all the securing points. Set aside a few containers or labeled bags to organize all the bolts and connectors that you’ll be removing to make it easier to reconnect your hardtop later. Since those attachments can vary by model year and number of doors on your Jeep, check your owner’s manual for more specific instructions. Also, if your hardtop comes in multiple parts, the owner’s manual will tell you the order in which each component needs to be removed so you don’t accidentally damage the weatherproofing or anything else. Also, if you have a newer model Jeep Wrangler with lights or other electrical components, be sure you’ve disconnected everything before you start moving your hardtop.
Once all the connection points are disconnected or removed, it’s time to actually hoist off your hardtop. But don’t get too excited and just start tugging on it. The trick to removing a hardtop, and the reason it’s risky to do it solo, is because you need to lift the hardtop up and clear of the supports. Don’t just drag it, because that can damage both the hardtop and the body of your Jeep. If you have a friend or family member, lift the hardtop up then shift it backward and away from the vehicle.
Removal By Yourself
It’s important that your hardtop is lifted straight up before being pulled away from your Jeep to make sure nothing damages it. Of course, trying to lift it then remove it by yourself could end up damaging you, which really isn’t worth it. If you don’t want to wait for someone else to come help you remove your hardtop every time, there are a couple of options: find a local hardtop removal storage or invest in a hardtop hoist. A hardtop removal service will make quick work of taking off your hardtop, and your doors, if you so choose. And, if you so choose, they can store your hardtop for you. However, if you like to take your top off and replace it frequently, that cost can add up quickly. A hardtop hoist, on the other hand, can fit easily in your garage or a storage shed and is designed to make Jeep hardtop removal by one person a simple process.
When it comes to removing your Jeep Wrangler’s hardtop, the best solo solution is the TopLift Pro. Compared to other Jeep hardtop hoists on the market, the TopLift Pro provides the simplest solution for easily removing and reinstalling your top in a matter of minutes without requiring an entire team of helpers to get the job done. There’s really no comparing the capabilities of the TopLift Pro to other Jeep hardtop storage solutions. With no more intricate cables and pulleys or dangerous wall mounts, you can invest in this accessory for your Jeep knowing it will provide you with a quality removal and storage solution for years to come. Learn more about just how easy our hardtop hoist is to use by checking out our step-by-step guide to using the TopLift Pro.
Get the freedom to take your hardtop off as often as you want, and store it securely while you’re out enjoying the sunshine. TopLift Pros’ specially designed Jeep hardtop hoist makes it easy to remove your hardtop without any assistance, and it serves as a sturdy hardtop storage stand. See how easy our Jeep roof hoist makes it to switch between the hardtop and open skies, so you can make the most of every adventure. Learn more and order your Top Lift Pro online today!