I did a DIY top hoist also, but slightly differently. It's a 4:1 tackle using sailing gear, the weakest component being rated for about 350 pounds load. There's no winch, but the line is tied off to a jam cleat for immediate control, then to a standard cleat for secure-until-released safety. There's an angle iron secured to three joists that forms the attachment point on the garage ceiling. Like one of the others here, an old ski rack attached to the drip moldings secures the top to the hoist. And after installing all the hardware, doing the math on loads and adding a fudge factor, I set the bar a bit above fingertip height and hung my own avoirdupois from the hoist for a few minutes before entrusting the significantly-more-valuable top to it; I figured if it felt totally secure with my 205#, the top's 95# or so would be safe!

__________________
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)