hardtop weight?

[FEsTbird]

I bought an electric hoist right away when I purchased the car--they had a flyer at the dealership. It is a one person "take off", but we have found that it is better to use two people to get the pins lined up correctly when the top is put on. The second person also helps me line up the car straight as I back it into place.

[DaiUyTed]

...My top is Red like Paul's so I guess the Red paint is 1 pound heavier than the Black paint. 84 lbs. vs. 83 lbs.

So, red really isn't faster?

[BillyL]

Like others, I think one of the best options I invested in for the PCR is the power hoist from Harbor Freight bought on sale for $79.00. I built a three point hitch rigging from nylon straps that allows me to remove or install the top easily without any assistance. I leave the top suspended in the rigging for easy, out of the way storage. As with the Florida members, the Louisiana climate allows for top down cruising opportunities year round. As with all life's experiences, I like the top off, the wife wants it on.LOL!

[TEE4TOO]

My white top weighs 83.5. I should invest in a power lifter but when ever I want to take the top off just call over a neighbor and offer a beer. Have some good talk an a refreshing beer. After about 6 the top will be on for the season. LOL

[02-T-Bird]

Like others, I think one of the best options I invested in for the PCR is the power hoist from Harbor Freight bought on sale for $79.00. I built a three point hitch rigging from nylon straps that allows me to remove or install the top easily without any assistance. I leave the top suspended in the rigging for easy, out of the way storage. As with the Florida members, the Louisiana climate allows for top down cruising opportunities year round. As with all life's experiences, I like the top off, the wife wants it on.LOL!

What are the chances of getting to see a few pictures of the rigging you use to lift the top off. I have a hoist but am interested in seeing the rigging you use.

Thanks. Ted.

[JudgeLucid]

84 Pounds....or is is?

The "mass" of the roof is 84 pounds, but this based on a single point of lift (as if a crane was attached to the exact center of gravity (balance) of these oddly shaped roofs).
When we install the roof, the geometry of how it's lifted is different. The Ford recommendation is to use 2 people. Therefore we can assume 1 person (2 hands/arms) on each side of the car. The mass of the roof divided by the number of lift points (hands) = 84 / 4 = 21 pounds per lift point (per hand) or about the equivalent of 4 bags of sugar or 1 bag of barbeque charcoal - a little heavy, but certainly lift able with one hand. BUT, in lifting the roof on/off the car, we are not directly under it - we stand away from the car (so we don't scratch the paint with belt buckles, etc.) with elbows by our side and our forearms and hands extended out under the lead edge of the roof. The distance from our elbow to center of palm (lift point) is approximately 12 inches, therefore the effective "moment arm" mass of each point of lift is 1 foot x 21 pounds = 21 foot-pounds + the original 21 pounds equals 42 pounds of effective load (at the elbow). So, 42 pounds x 4 lift points feels like lifting a roof weighing 168 pounds. We can lift these loads for a short period (think of an over-stuffed suitcase with an airport limit of 50 pounds before you get a "overweight fee") but wouldn't want to run a marathon carrying that much.

So the 84 pound Thunderbird roof feels more like 168 pounds. Bottom line - invest in a lift like I did :)

*the moment arm calculations are a little more complicated than shown here - but I simplified to keep from being REALLY boring

Happy New Year everyone!

Judge Lucid

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

84 Pounds....or is is?

The "mass" of the roof is 84 pounds, but this based on a single point of lift (as if a crane was attached to the exact center of gravity (balance) of these oddly shaped roofs).
When we install the roof, the geometry of how it's lifted is different. The Ford recommendation is to use 2 people. Therefore we can assume 1 person (2 hands/arms) on each side of the car. The mass of the roof divided by the number of lift points (hands) = 84 / 4 = 21 pounds per lift point (per hand) or about the equivalent of 4 bags of sugar or 1 bag of barbeque charcoal - a little heavy, but certainly lift able with one hand. BUT, in lifting the roof on/off the car, we are not directly under it - we stand away from the car (so we don't scratch the paint with belt buckles, etc.) with elbows by our side and our forearms and hands extended out under the lead edge of the roof. The distance from our elbow to center of palm (lift point) is approximately 12 inches, therefore the effective "moment arm" mass of each point of lift is 1 foot x 21 pounds = 21 foot-pounds + the original 21 pounds equals 42 pounds of effective load (at the elbow). So, 42 pounds x 4 lift points feels like lifting a roof weighing 168 pounds. We can lift these loads for a short period (think of an over-stuffed suitcase with an airport limit of 50 pounds before you get a "overweight fee") but wouldn't want to run a marathon carrying that much.

So the 84 pound Thunderbird roof feels more like 168 pounds. Bottom line - invest in a lift like I did :)

*the moment arm calculations are a little more complicated than shown here - but I simplified to keep from being REALLY boring

Happy New Year everyone!

Judge Lucid

Thanks for clearing that up.

[2K2BIRD]

Judge, one thing you forgot in your calculations is because of the shape the weight of the top is concentrated more to one end than the other, so one arm is going to be responsible for a larger percentage of whatever weight it "feels like".

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Judge, one thing you forgot in your calculations is because of the shape the weight of the top is concentrated more to one end than the other, so one arm is going to be responsible for a larger percentage of whatever weight it "feels like".

You are right, it seems one arm just does the balancing, while the one at the back does all the lifting.

[Rondor]

Right11 The problem is more due to size and uneven weight than total pounds. 2 teenagers works pretty well but lift might be cheaper in the long run.

[jbthor]

What are the chances of getting to see a few pictures of the rigging you use to lift the top off. I have a hoist but am interested in seeing the rigging you use.

Thanks. Ted.

Yes I would like to see that also...

[Duke583]

I bought a manual hoist 10 years ago. I believe I found the source on TBN. Works well. Very easy to use. As others have said, it is all about getting the pins lined up. With a hoist you can do it without having to find a friend or relative help you.

[RetroGeorge]

My muscular status can best be described as "girlie-man." The day I bought my car, the PO and I first took off the hard top and "installed" the convertible. No sweat. Then we took down the convertible top. No sweat. THEN we re-installed the hard top. It was all I could do to get my half of the top onto the car. His side went right in. Mine didn't. He had me lift up my side and try it again. Veins in my head and inguinal canal were popping. The top STILL would not fit.

THEN he tells me that I need to change the position of the locking bar. So, with my life flashing before my eyes, I lifted the top up again. It went right in. Lastly, all I had to do was sit down on the garage floor and pour the urine out of my shoes.

To quote the Old Testament, 84 pounds my ass.

[HKS]

84 pounds

Can anyone tell me how much the 1956 Hardtop weighed? I used to install it all by myself and that may be why I have back pain now.
HKS

No Porthole.

[birdfan]

One source says "about 85 lbs" (Thunderbird by Ray Miller). I took my '55 off once by myself when I was much younger and almost killed my self avoiding dropping it on the car (never did that again). As with our current retros, it isn't so much the weight as it is the awkward size and shape. HKS, you must have been much stronger than I to do it regularly (or more daring).