Hardtop storage/stand

ak_perth · Postby **ak_perth** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 3:11 pm

Don't know if they way i store my hardtop is ok, but mine is leaning against the wall of my garage on old pavers (with an old blanket between the pavers and hardtop). The hardtop is also completely covered by an old bed sheet! I hardly ever use my hard top but it seems happy this way. Cost = $0.00

Cheers

AK

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 3:45 pm

try the search feature- I recall reading a number of posts on this subject and photos. If you have some height in the garage you can lift and suspend it.

de Bounce · Postby **de Bounce** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 5:27 pm

Have you considered other ways of storing the top or adapting something else.
Some ideas HERE

ForceMajeure · Postby **ForceMajeure** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 5:45 pm

What about an MX5mania hoist?

http://www.mx5mania.com.au/product673.htm

Lucky_Luke · Postby **Lucky_Luke** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 11:11 pm

Theres a DIY product you can purchase from bunnings which is a Square aluminium extrusion and joiners pretty cheap, I reckon you could knock up a neat looking frame from that with castors for under $100.

My dad has sliding cupboards in his garage and we have his hanging in there.
Similar to that seen in the link posted by de bounce, except we used some nylon lined frankenstein bolt type fittings found at the hardware store, i recall something like $20 for both and have them bolted to the wall. Hangs from the chrome bits at the rear of the hardtop.

I understand the benefits of the hoist set up but for some reason I just dont feel comfortable having it hanging above my car.
Just makes me a little uneasy thinking I'll come home one day and find it sitting in a smashed heap..
My father in law has his hanging from a DIY hoist he rigged up without issue and I'm sure theres many others that have been using them for years without issue.

Mine just sits wrapped in the corner of my shed out of harms way. Easy for me as I have the space. (Its forsale by the way.. :wink:

)

All depends on what space you have available as to what solution suits or whether you have someone to help install it.

Cheers,
Luke.

wilch · Postby **wilch** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 6:22 am

The cheapest I've been able to find is this ebay seller in the UK:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... K:MEWAX:IT

There's another place in Sydney that makes hard top stands, but after emailing them the price is more than the above (and all you get from the Sydney place is the stand, no bag).
http://www.hotfrog.com.au/Companies/One-Design-Stands

I'm yet to buy. Let us know if you go ahead with either of the above, or find something better.

Benny · Postby **Benny** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 3:47 pm

I have a One-Design stand for my hardtop which I bought from them in 1999 - and it has worked flawlessly since.
It's on castors, so I bring it up to the rear of the car, Mrs Benny and I take off the top and just carry it past the back of the car, turn it through 90 degrees and plop it on the stand, then wheel it away.

However, I think you could easliy make one up yourself from aluminium extrusions and the plastic corner pieces.
Much better than a hoist and you can just wheel it anywhere you want to very easily.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 4:30 pm

The advantage of the hoist is saving of floor space. The UK product is going to cost about $300 and it quite possible that it is surface freight. If it were air it will be priced based on volume. I notice it is ex Portsmouth which is where the MX5 UK establishment is. Buying solely on price is not really a good idea- with a product that you cannot inspect you take a chance.

Noddycar · Postby **Noddycar** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 1:08 pm

I had mine suspended with a hardtop hoist. After going on holidays over Christmas, I returned to find my hardtop had fallen onto my MX-5, put two dents (one stripped paint down to the metal) and a hole in my soft top.... The person looking after our house had walked through my garage and hit either the rope from the hoist or the hardtop itself, causing it to bounce and drop out of the strapping onto my car :cry:

. Now I am up for some dent removal and an early respray, plus have have ordered a new Robbins soft top from Gomiata.

I couldn't really say anything, as they were doing us a favour looking after our animals etc, but I was still fuming. I have now suspended it again with the hoist, but have used a couple of extra straps to ensure it is more stable. If you have the space to hang it on a wall, I think the padded hardtop bags are a better idea. I don't have spare space, so hanging it above my car is the best option.

Noddycar · Postby **Noddycar** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 1:12 pm

Also, my hoist was from MX5 Mania... The hoist is fine, just be careful to ensure the straps are in the correct position and tight (mine were until they got knocked!). My hoist in connected to a welded frame I had on the ceiling for my punching bag, so it was simple for me to add an extra couple of straps to stabilise it on the hoist. You could probably do the same by simply screwing a couple of strips of timber across the ceiling (into the ceiling frames) for extra support.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 12:11 pm

what a bugger Noddy- it really just highlights that we just cannot control everything.

Noddycar · Postby **Noddycar** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 2:34 pm

Yup.... Could have been worse. I am currently spending my days inside flooded commercial kitchens. These guys have a lot more problems than my little car.....

Wuey · Postby **Wuey** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 8:59 pm

Other than the cooler months, I have been hanging my hardtop on a $70 homemade hoist for more than 10 years. No problem, nada, nyet, zilch so far, touch wood. Anybody interested in making one can pm me.