Thunderbird hardtop

G

Grumpy Rick

Senior Member
Anybody know what a '55 Thunderbird hardtop weighs?

I am designing a quick hoist system in the garage using a boat winch from HF.

Thanks,
Rick
 
Approximately 80 pounds...
However, for personal safety reasons (as well not having it fall & break into lots of pieces)
all hardware and support structure should be rated for a minimum of 5 times the weight being lifted.
 
Be sure to check what the vendors sell. I went through this with a bike hoist and found I could get the kit for less than I could buy the parts. I am not sure you want to add the complication of a boat winch. Couple of pulleys to increase your leverage and just tie off the rope when you are finished.

Charlie Stephens
 
I thought it would weigh more than 80#. Thanks for the answers guys. I am 73 with sprung shoulders, and will be probably taking it on and off by myself.

I have a nice pulley system with light ropes, but I think I would have better control with the little winch, which I already have.

I have looked at all the available new stuff, and I think I can do better a lot cheaper.
 
I've got some stuff hung from the garage ceiling, on small aircraft cable.
FYI... the more attaching points you've got to spread the load out, the better. The cables on the right of the photo go down the wall to a winch mounted about waist high.
 

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I built one myself by using some odds and ends I had laying around. I purchased a winch from Harbor freight and mounted in the attic, out of site. the winch itself is overkill for the weight but it makes it an easy job to remove the top. It also allows me to store the top out of the way, but I have a 10' ceiling in the garage. I used about a 6' section of 1.5" electrical conduit for the brace to lift with. I feel very confident of the setup and how it worked out.
The winch is on a track allowing you to move it side to side. This lets you line it up with the car easily instead of having to back in to the perfect position.
 

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in answer to the original ? The top weighs around 100, but is best suited for two people, because of its size and shape.
I wish I had made this top lift years ago. It really save your back. The winch was on sale at about 100 bucks the rest with cable and odds and ends was under 50 bucks. Worth it to me.
 
The pipe is drilled right where the hardtop pins are so they slip into the holes. This pipe and those to points carry all the weight. No real pressure on the rubber or anything to distort the top over time like a sling will. the lightweight straps are adjustable and keep the top level front to back. I used chain link to attach and reattach the cable everytime I unhook to take or install the top.

FYI, you could also use a simple hand crank winch too. The weigh isn't really the issue it's the ability for movement and flexibility AND protection of the top.

I learned a few things doing this and might make some changes to it, but it works perfect and is a one person job.
 
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