I want to devise some sort of rigging in the garage to hoist the top off so I can drive out from under it. For some reason 150#s seems to ring a bell. Is that close? I'm thinking about keeping it simple and just mounting 4 good sized hooks into the garage ceiling (assuming I can find the beams). Since the top will be on more often than off, the plan is to use simple tiedown straps to lift it, thus keeping cost low. The strap would go hook-to-hook with the ceiling hooks. On the other end, I was thinking about putting some eye bolts to a pair of 2x4s or 4x4s, and sliding them under the top. Seems like that would spread the weight around, and allow me to easily lift and position the top.

Also, I'm driving a '93. I'd like to switch to normal bolts so that I can expedite the securing / unsecuring process. When I head to Lowe's / Home Depot / Ace / the local hardware store, do I need a specific quality of bolt, or just get something that matches the thread and length?

Thanks!

 

Several companies make roof hoists for...1955-57 Thunderbirds. Maybe one of our sponsors would have a reference on where to get. The Bird roof is steel and glass.

 

Well, of all the searching I've done so far, it seems that 150 pounds is the best guestimate on the internet for what the top weights.

Replacement bolts are:

5 8x70mm 1.5 Pitch Metric Bolts

12 8x45mm 1.5 Pitch Metric Bolts

... at least according to one Bronco owner's website.