Reviews for Lange Originals 014-SIMJL Hoist-A-Top Simple for 18-22 Jeep Wrangler JL

Simplicity

Just As It Says Simple

the product is great and fine. I don't think the crank is slow as others have suggested. It may seem that way at first while you're cranking the cable slack, but once the top begins to rise and the cable tightens, the jeep top rises at a careful pace.

4 stars because the instructions are a damn mess. What comes in the box differs from online instructions and I had to go through customer comments to find a link to an addendum to explain the smart hook install for the JL. I toggled between both provided and online instructions to figure this set-up.

Also, a second Quick Link should be included in the box. I had to buy an extra one for the Strap Cable because I don't intend to let my straps just hang in the middle of the garage when the top is back on my Jeep.

Lastly, you can almost bet that the Strap Cable will need to be adjusted by threading more of the cable around the thimble; otherwise the top will hang at a 45 degree angle.

That said, it's great! I highly recommend the product. and I strongly encourage Quadratec to clean up the instructions and provide the addendum with the package.

Price

Installation is a bit of a pain if you don't have exposed studs, but it's doable with one person and the hoist is secure once up. Instructions are clear. It does move slower than I would have liked, but a power drill can fix that.

I have an older version. Looking forward to simplicity of newer version. To fix slowness of crank: I welded a socket onto the retaining nut and now I can use a power drill to raise and lower the top in 10 seconds. For any areas of contact with the straps, I recommend a chamois or similar washcloth between the straps and the paint.

The crank on this hoist is so tiny it is a joke. Save yourself the agony and buy a boat crank if you don't feel like cranking for 20 minutes.

I give this 2 stars at best, but still somewhat incomplete. Installed the pulleys and cables, largely due to a well done YouTube tutorial offered by the company. Otherwise the paper directions are poor photo quality and somewhat hard to follow. The fit for the JL is provided via an addendum with (again) grainy photos. The hook for the JL lacks the thick rubber coating provided on the JK hook, so I am concerned about whether it might scratch the painted hard top. On the topic of painted hard top, there is a WARNING sticker on the bag of the hard top strap indicating that the strap may stain the paint. Ironically, the sticker says "IF YOU USE THIS PRODUCT TO STORE YOUR TOP..." - well what else would I have bought this product for? At this stage, I am not sure what I plan to do. The hardware is installed, so I've already drilled a bunch of holes in the walls/studs. Still I have concerns about the rear hook scratching the paint and the strap staining the paint. IF the strap didn't stain and IF the hook connected without scratching the paint, I'd bump up my rating. But I am not sure whether to proceed or not. I emailed the company via their contact form a few days ago and am awaiting a response.

Horrible instructions! The crank was so small it too forever to crank up or down. We used it 1 year. It fell once.