I have a 24 by 14 ft freestanding garage. It has a hip roof made of 2x4s on 24" centers. The two 'hips' at either end are about 8 ft with a 8 foot section of 4 triangle framed rafters in the center. This is all open framed with no ceiling and only sheathing and tiles.

My question. Could I remove one of the middle ceiling joists(rafters will not be removed). Can I double up on the rafters and ceiling joists on either side of the ceiling joist to be removed. Would it then be okay to then remove this one ceiling joist? This would leave a 4 ft spread between two of the ceiling joists (but rafters remain in place) I could even double up using 2x6's on the adjacent ceiling joists if necesary.

Any advice appreciated how to eliminate one middle ceiling joist.