1st Gen top storage

[sa4r]

Folks:

Forgive the question if this has been asked before, but the archives were of little help to me.

I have a 1988 4Runner and want to get a SoftTopper. However, what do I do with the fiberglass top? I've heard of other owners hoisting their tops to the garage ceiling but I haven't seen any clear instructions on how to do it.

Any suggestions would be welcome. I live in South Texas and this is the perfect time of year, other than spring, to drive with the top off, but what to do with the fiberglass top has been my questions since I bought it.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[nevada]

Folks:

Forgive the question if this has been asked before, but the archives were of little help to me.

I have a 1988 4Runner and want to get a SoftTopper. However, what do I do with the fiberglass top? I've heard of other owners hoisting their tops to the garage ceiling but I haven't seen any clear instructions on how to do it.

Any suggestions would be welcome. I live in South Texas and this is the perfect time of year, other than spring, to drive with the top off, but what to do with the fiberglass top has been my questions since I bought it.

Many thanks in advance.

buy, or build a couple saw horses to store it on. i wouldnt want to have it up high, it is fairly heavy, if it falls, it will be damaged...

ive pulled mine off several times over the years...ive never had a good place to put it. but mostly thats due to my property, and space being an issue.

also, being lifted its a PITA to take off.

an overhead lift would be nice to remove it, but i wouldnt store it that way.

 

[Nervo19]

If you google "hardtop hoist" or "Hardtop storage" and "4Runner Hardtop" on google image you will get many ideas. Most will be with Jeep hardtop but the principle is the same. My garage is 13'5" tall and I don't want to store it that high up. I'm thinking about making a gantry on wheels to take the top off and store it on a removeable shelf. I'm old and weak and have previously had a cracked spine so don't give me a hard time about not heaving it off on my own. I did used to be able to do it when the '88 was new. Sigh. Here's what I was thinking about adapting:

My Idea for Hardtop Storage

 

[helo-mech]

Unbolt it, lay a 2x4 along the rear, run a 2x4 through the window, lift and drive out. Or........

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/classic-t4rs/100278-hoist-1st-gen-topper.html

 

[GEOFF]

Mine became the coffee table in the living room.

 

[ajohnson]

Mine has been in the front yard for over a year since I installed the softopper. I should probably find somewhere to store it :redface:

 

[BigBluePile]

I have a rail and skate system. Using two double roller pulleys makes the mechanical advantage and lifts the top effortlessly.