Reviews for Lange Originals 014-SIM Hoist-A-Top Simple 76-18 Jeep CJ7 & Wrangler
I purchased this hoist because it was inexpensive and I did not see the need for an electric motor. The first problem with this set up is the mounting hardware for the pulley. The 3 inch flange bolt head, screwed in at its optimal location, does not allow re-attachment of the pulley spool. I had to cut almost 1/4 inch off of the bolt head in order to reattach it, or remove the flange bolt and move it to an inferior location. I opted to cut the bolt head. The second problem is that all the pulleys have welds on the back of them so they cannot be mounted flush to the mounting surface. They can still be used, but it is annoying. The third problem is the strap bolts that hold the strap to the top for hoisting do not fit through the stock holes on my 2004 TJ. I had to drill the holes bigger in my hard top. The fourth problem is the instructions say to mount the pulleys 34 inches apart and use the second bolt holes on the hardtop for a TJ. This is incorrect! Fortunately I measured the distance before mounting, and it is actually 37 inches from the FIRST bolt hole in the hard top to the mounting point on the rear window frame. If I had used the second mounting hole, I believe the hardtop would have been off center on hoisting, and it would have flipped over at the first attempt. The only reason I'm giving this two stars instead of one is because I did manage to get it to work.
Not impressed. Returned for refund.
Not very happy after the summer the straps left marks in my paint that were very hard to buff out
This was not an easy product to install and took an entire day to complete.
Also, the winch is terrible. As we were trying to lift up the jeep top, the winch was grinding against itself and shredding the metal. I'm worried that if I continue to use it, the roof will fall.
hook for the rear side for the top "stretched" out and no longer holds the top to lift. installed this weekend and this was the 2nd time i was going to remove the top and now unable to.
Do not use if you have a white top! The straps leave stains on the hardtop and so far we have found nothing to get the marks off. Same problem as one of the previous reviewers wrote.
If I could give lower than 1 star, I would. We have a brand new, 2017, 4 door, white Jeep Wrangler, that we purchased this lift for. The straps left stains/marks on both sides of the top, that could not be removed by us or an auto body detailer. We had to take our jeep to an auto body shop and PAY them to work on the stains. You could literally see the pattern of the straps. During this process, we contacted Lange Originals and asked for their advice/assistance. They claimed they had never heard of it before and would get back to us. We have sent multiple emails, and left messages, for the OWNER of Lange Originals and have received NO resolution or compensation for the time or money spent getting the marks removed. HORRIBLE customer service from Lange. DAMAGING product. Do NOT buy it, or literally put towels all around the top before you use the straps. GOOD LUCK
It is assumed by the installation instructions that the lift will be used in a straight line off the center of the top toward the rear of the jeep. The pics showed this but did not indicate in the description that this would be the only way it can be used. I can not use it in that fashion. Mine must be to the side. When I drive in my shop there is a door at the rear of the jeep. The back wall has shelving so backing in won't work.