Hard Top Stand

[CitySnake]

I'm sorry, but I'm not going to lay out over $400 for the Mopar hard top stand w/ cover. The box it was delivered in does the job but...
Has anyone come up with an alternative stand (home build or otherwise) that cost's under $200? My problem with the box is that the top is a PITA to get in and out - a great deterrent to use. Being a typical apartment building dweller (here in NYC) I don't have the ability to hang the top either

. Anyone???

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

The Mopar stand is probably the worst $400 I ever spent. The stand is a piece of crap and the cover is just as bad. I suggest building something out of pvc.

 

[MadMaxx]

40 bucks worth of box steel and some padding should do it

Howabout two guitar stands with the top "fork" removed? Space them appart to the corners of the hard top, the lower forks swivil so it will be easy to get it balanced. The curvature of the stand leans back. so the hard top wouldn't fall over easy.

Hmmmm... I feel a welding adventure comming on..

MadMaxx

 

[jimandela]

I have 2 car garage.
if you can use your garage to store the car this what I did with left over materials from remodeling.


I took 1/2 inch Styrofoam insulation (sheets of it 2ftX6ft)
and attached them to the wall then a piece on the floor.
then put hardtop on foam

I attached the hardtop to the wall with a bungie cord covered in foam. the bungie hooks into 2 eye bolts.

cost $8 for eyebolts foam for bungie, leftover Styrofoam.
also I cover it in a soft blanket before putting it on the foam
have had no problems with my system at all

good luck
JIM

 

[Viper99]

You can pick up a commercial grade sign easel. It looks like a tripod with brackets designed to hold a large sign or painting. They are usually made of wood or tubular steel and you can use foam over the brackets to protect the top. Ask any commercial sign painter where to get one that is large enpough and sturdy enough for the top. I, myself, went for the Mopar stand....It *****!

 

[TRAMP 13]

I set my on two towels and then put one between the top and the wall and lean is against the wall have never fell in two years.

 

[Jerry Dobson]

It's funny, just today I had a request to make two stands. One for a Lotus, and one for a Viper.

I am no expert welder, but I will pull out the MIG and make something out of metal, weld it up, and pad it. I am sure both the guys will want wall mounted units.

PVC....hmm....that sure is easier to work with. Not sure about the weight it could hold. Dropping a hard top could be expensive.

 

[CitySnake]

Thanks for all the comments!

The Mopar stand is probably the worst $400 I ever spent. The stand is a piece of crap and the cover is just as bad

I, myself, went for the Mopar stand....It *****!

We obviously ALL agree on this!!!

How about two guitar stands.

Interesting innovation!

You can pick up a commercial grade sign easel

Think this is what I'll try. Great idea!! Thanks V99!
Wish I had a nice PRIVATE garage like everyone else!

Thanks again.

 

[Jeff Torrey]

I did something similar to Jim. Screwed two hookeyes through the sheetrock into the studs. Attached the bungie cords to the hookeyes. The other bungie end, hooks Nicely to the inside of the top.
I rest the top on the foundation knee wall. For that I attached some polystyrene insulation to the concrete wall(2" thick). Then carpeted over the insulation. This also works well to keep the doors from chipping when I get in and out of the car.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jerry Dobson:

PVC....hmm....that sure is easier to work with. Not sure about the weight it could hold. Dropping a hard top could be expensive.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

They make patio chairs out of it.

 

[Steve 00RT/10]

I have less than $10 dollars and about 1/2 hr. labor in mine.
2 'L' brackets out of 1/8" x 1&1/2" flat stock(had it already), some weather stripping foam,33+ tape,& a furniture blanket. Lagged the 'L' brackets to the sill plate on top of the foundation, which is at 4' at my house. It angles against the drywall at about 10-15 degrees. An eye bolt with a bungee could be brought down from the ceiling, but I haven't found it necessary. Stands can also be made from 1&1/2" PVC plumbing pipe fairly easily. There is no reason to spend anywhere near $400 for a stand.

Steve