My hardtop support has two pieces of rope : one piece runs from side to side with a bent metal hook under each drip rail. Then the main rope (the one that runs over the pulleys) is tied to it and runs back to the third hook under the back edge.
Best I can remember, it has been up there since about 1988. I'm actually at a point where I would prefer to take it down, but there is a Stag on jackstands (and with its drivetrain hanging out the bottom) that is in the way.
Sure, something could go wrong. In fact, something is going wrong for me, the other joists (not the one the hardtop hangs from) have literally broken from the weight piled on them for the past 3 decades and I am having to replace them. But fortunately, nothing has landed on the cars.
Main reason I want to take the TR3 hardtop down is to put a Stag hardtop in it's place :laugh:
The Stag hardtops are much heavier, so I will also be upgrading the pulley system. Might even put a powered winch in there, haven't decided yet.