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  #1  
Old 07-05-2005, 09:56 AM
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Hard Top Lift

Anyone have good experience with Hard Top lift.....have seen several searching Web but some look shakey...and can be quite expensive...also benefits of electric versus manual.

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  #2  
Old 07-05-2005, 08:20 PM
jpsetliff
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I purchased a small 110 VAC winch (Graingers )in addition to 4 tie-down straps for my top, The hooks are covered with rubber and appear to fit paerfectly without marring the weatherstripping. The winch has a nice up/down controller that makes it an ease to install/remove. I had an after-market lift strap thet the thread rotted after 4 years, so this seems to work for me. Good luck on your endeavor and hopes this gives you one option to consider![IMG]
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  #3  
Old 07-06-2005, 09:14 AM
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I have the Mercedes-Benz hardtop shuttle. Excellent. Here it is in my not-very-tidy garage. If you can afford it, buy it.

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  #4  
Old 07-06-2005, 09:52 AM
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Jim,

Where did you get the tie down straps with rubberized hooks? I've heard that Performance Products carries some type but couldn't find in their catalog.

Also, another place for an inexpensive manual or electric winch is Harbor Freight, Northern Tool or JC Whitney.
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  #5  
Old 07-06-2005, 11:14 AM
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I have this one and am very happy with it.


http://home.earthlink.net/~garbiso/menu.htm

Dave
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Old 07-06-2005, 11:32 AM
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Thanks everyone for input.......I don't have room for Mercedes version....I'll check pricing on making system myself.....Stow-away does look interesting...do you have manual or electric....and how much did you pay??
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Old 07-06-2005, 01:33 PM
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I have the mechanical setup in my garage that appears as it does in jpsetliff's pic.

Yes, the electric is priced about 4x more than the mechanical unit. Nice to have, but in my case, the top is rarely fitted onto the car, so why bother?

Truth is, if you can find the right straps, you can build the system with a boat winch and a few pulleys.
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  #8  
Old 07-06-2005, 09:31 PM
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I used a couple of raingutter roof rack mounts (Yakima in my case) and cadged a leftover length of bar from my local ski shop; they provide a nice, secure attachment to the roof. A double tackle setup (4:1 advantage) with a few extra pulleys, a jam cleat for instant securing backed up by a standard cleat both mounted on the wall right next to where I store the car, and an angle iron mounted to the joists, and I'm in business. It's worked well with no problems, and I can handle it solo.
It turns out that the storage cover for the top that Performance sells works fine with this attachment system.
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  #9  
Old 07-06-2005, 11:49 PM
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Just a word of caution about these lifts, don't use them to store/suspend your top for long periods of time. I have been told that it will ruin the rubber gasket in the top.
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  #10  
Old 07-07-2005, 02:30 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by callen
Thanks everyone for input.......I don't have room for Mercedes version....I'll check pricing on making system myself.....Stow-away does look interesting...do you have manual or electric....and how much did you pay??
I don't remember the price ($700-800) IIRC, I got it in 1995. I have the manual unit and find it easy to use. BUT I got it in 1995 used it 2-3 times during the first 3-4 months. I have the top in the Sto-Away, zipped into its cover and it has been there since aobut Nov. 1995. I really never put the hardtop on the car. I'm 6'2" and find the headroom with the hard top not very nice. So I drive the car when the temps are nice and park it thru the hot summers. Sometimes I put the convertible top up and use the AC.

The Sto-Away will not hurt the rubber seals on the top. The top sits on 2 padded alluminum arms that supports it very well.

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car
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  #11  
Old 07-07-2005, 10:27 PM
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Found an old pic of the above-described Yakima-based setup; I'm now using a cover for the top when stored. Third season of use with no problems; the raingutters are as tanklike as the rest of the Panzerwagen. There's an overall view and a detail of the cleat setup.
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Hard Top Lift-hoist-small.jpg   Hard Top Lift-cleats-small.jpg  
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Craig Bethune

'97 SL500, 40th anniversary edition

'04 Olds Bravada (SWMBO's)
'06 Lexus ES330
'89 560SL (sold)


SL--Anything else is just a Mercedes.
(Kudos to whoever said it first)
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  #12  
Old 07-08-2005, 01:58 PM
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The sto'away unit. Scroll down.

Hard Top Storage: Cart or Lift

Dave

another post

Hardtop hoist

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car
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