Hardtop Dimensions & Transportation Ideas

[rick3000]

Hi,
I just bought a hardtop from a guy, and I will be driving to pick it up next week. The problem is that my car is currently in the shop and I may not have it back in time to drive 8 hours to get the top. I have a '99 Grand Cherokee, and am wondering whether or not it will fit in the car, or on the roof. This is a last resort, but I want to be prepared for the worst case scenario.
Does anyone have the dimensions of the 986 hardtop?
Also, any tips on transporting it?
I cannot delay my pickup date, so I have to figure something out if I don't have my boxster. Any ideas?

Thanks!

[Jeph]

It will not fit in your Cherokee. I would not recommend putting it on the roof either.

Unless you have a generous friend/neighbor/relative you could borrow from, my suggestion would be to rent a pick-up truck -preferably full-sized. Coddle it with blankets and put it in the bed of the truck. I don't have dimensions for you and it would be tricky to measure, but hopefully these photos will help.





Without a crate, I think it would be manageable in a pick-up.

[mikes_box]

i really think it could fit in your car/suv..... i had a miata and bmw z3 and had purchased hardtop for both and they both fit in my honda pilot...you can't fit it straight it...it needed to be angled....but it should fit.....where you pickn it up?

[rick3000]

Thanks, I actually got the dimensions from a guy on renntech, I'll see waht happens. I might put it in a friends garage until I can drive the boxster down. My other solution is to get a shipping palet and line it with foam and and add sides then take my jeep trailer and put everything in that.

[Jeph]

Originally Posted by mikes_box

i really think it could fit in your car/suv..... i had a miata and bmw z3 and had purchased hardtop for both and they both fit in my honda pilot...you can't fit it straight it...it needed to be angled....but it should fit.....where you pickn it up?

The hard top is just about the width of the car itself. Do you really think that can fit into the tailgate area of a Grand Cherokee?

The Boxster hard top is larger than a Z3's and a Miata's. I also think a Honda Pilot's hatch is larger than a Jeep's.

Anyway, if I'm wrong, be sure to take a picture for me!

[70Sixter]

I don't think it would fit. Just measured opening in Mrs Sixter's 99 Grand Cherokee at about 48" diagonally and widest part of my hard top is about 58" or so. Hard to measure top by myself with wall mounting.

The top is just light aluminum and you have to be careful not to deform it.

I vote to wait for your Box (install spin locks before trip) or rent/borrow a big enuf truck/trailer.

[rick3000]

The dealer I bought the car through with the warranty has just offered me a rental car, because they have had my car for about 30 days now. I'll ask for a pickup truck, and then the problem is solved. They sold me a car that needs to be in the shop for a month is repaid by me putting 1600 miles on there rental car.
And I agree, I do not want the top to get deformed, but this is worst case scenario planning, if I don't have the box in time.

[KevinH1990]

Rick,

If you are able to use your Boxster for the trip, I recommend you install the spin locks before you go. Directions for installing the spinlocks and adjusting the hard top can be found on RennTech.

[bnorman]

I was able to haul mine in a Ford Expidition with the back seats down. It fit easily putting the top in sidways with lots of padding.

Good luck,

[rick3000]

Thanks, I don't know what will happen, my boxster is currently in the shop, and if I do not have it back in time I need an alternate solution. And yes, I purchased the spinlocks yesterday, from sunset. They should get here tomorrow.

[rick3000]

I got the spin locks and the car should be ready today. I called the guy I am buying it from, and he asked if I wanted the hardtop stand. I said yes. Assuming it is the base porsche stand, will it fit in one of the trunks?
Thanks!

[porsche986spyder]

Originally Posted by rick3000

I got the spin locks and the car should be ready today. I called the guy I am buying it from, and he asked if I wanted the hardtop stand. I said yes. Assuming it is the base porsche stand, will it fit in one of the trunks?
Thanks!

I believe it can be taken appart with some basic hand tools. After that it may fit.

[70Sixter]

If it is the wall mount, it breaks down to a three 1" diameter poles.

[rick3000]

It's the basic porsche stand, not the wall rank I am sure I will be able to take it apart, they obviously don't ship them assembled.


UPDATE:

Thanks everyone for all the help, I got the hardtop back safely and the stand did in fact fit into the rear trunk.