| 
        | 
 
 
	
	
		
	
	
	
		|  09-28-2015, 04:04 PM | #1 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Dahlonega , Georgia 
					Posts: 1,361
				      | 
				
				hardtop question- year compatability
			 
 
			I have a 2002 what model year hardtop will fit my car ? Or will any hardtop fit regardless of the year car it came off of ?
				__________________2002 Boxster S Arctic Silver with black top with glass window and black leather interior. Jake Raby 3.6 SS ( the beast ) with IMS Solution. 996 GT3 front bumper , GT3 rocker covers and GT3TEK rear diffuser and Joe Toth composites rear ducktail spoiler .
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  09-28-2015, 04:29 PM | #2 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: St Catherines, Ontario 
					Posts: 439
				      | 
			1997-2004 will work
		 
				__________________2006 Audi A4 Avant 2.0t Quattro
 1997 Boxster Glacier White w/facelift(gone but not forgotten)
 2004 Boxster S 550 Spyder Anniversary Edition
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  09-28-2015, 05:52 PM | #3 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: SW Okla 
					Posts: 1,117
				      | 
			Early tops ('97-'98) have "ears".  1999-'04 tops don't.
 All year 986 tops will fit all year 986 cars.
 
 Don't forget the spinlocks to be able to mount them to the car.
 
				__________________I think I have a Porsche problem...
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  09-28-2015, 06:04 PM | #4 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: Aug 2009 
					Posts: 1,466
				      | 
			I'm running a 99 top on a 03.
		 
				__________________2003 Black 986. modified for Advanced level HPDE and open track days.
 * 3.6L LN block, 06 heads, Carrillo H rods, IDP with 987 intake, Oil mods, LN IMS. * Spec II Clutch, 3.2L S Spec P-P FW. * D2 shocks, GT3 arms & and links, Spacers front and rear * Weight reduced, No carpet, AC deleted, Remote PS pump, PS pump deleted. Recaro Pole position seats, Brey crouse ext. 5 point harness, NHP sport exhaust
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  09-29-2015, 08:08 AM | #5 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Santa Rosa, CA 
					Posts: 520
				      | 
			
	Quote: 
	
		| 
					Originally Posted by RedTele58  Early tops ('97-'98) have "ears".  1999-'04 tops don't.
 All year 986 tops will fit all year 986 cars.
 
 Don't forget the spinlocks to be able to mount them to the car.
 |  
You just slide the spin locks into the openings on each side of the car, right?    
				__________________2003 2.7 Boxster - Tiptronic - Carrera wheels - OBC - Red calipers - Cat pipes - Modified muffler - Rear speakers - K&N - Litronics
 2006 V6 Mustang
 2008 ML 350
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  09-29-2015, 09:21 AM | #6 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia 
					Posts: 1,748
				      | 
			
	Quote: 
	
		| 
					Originally Posted by EJ-Fresno  You just slide the spin locks into the openings on each side of the car, right?   |  
It is a little more complicated than that: Porsche Boxster Hardtop Installation Kit - 986 / 987 (1997-08) - Pelican Parts Technical Article 
There is a bolt that you need to insert that is a little tricky to install.
		 
				__________________2000 Arctic Silver/Black, Hard Top, On Board Computer
 PNP Rear Speakers, HAES 6-Channel Amp, Avic Z140BH,
 Painted Bumperettes, 2004 (OEM) Top, Homelink integrated in dash with Targa switch, 997 Shifter, Carrera Gauge Cluster with silver gauge faces, heated 997 adaptive sports seats, Litronics, silver console
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  09-29-2015, 11:09 AM | #7 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Albuquerque, NM, USA 
					Posts: 746
				      | 
			The "ears" determine which version of the roof transport system can be fitted.
		 
				__________________Kent Christensen
 Albuquerque
 2001 Boxster
 2007 GL320 CDI, 2010 CL550
 2 BMW motorcycles
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  09-29-2015, 11:57 AM | #8 |  
	| There Is No Substitute. 
				 
				Join Date: May 2007 Location: West Coast 
					Posts: 3,253
				      | 
			^That is not accurate. 
All of the RTS's (Roof Transport System) came with the same mounts (There is only one version of the 986 RTS).  The 'ear' mounts cause a lot of noise/squeaking, so Porsche issued a TSB telling people to quit using them.  You can use the body mounted b-pillar mounts with or without the hardtop, and with any hardtop, even the ones with ears.
  
				__________________1999 Ocean Blue Metallic Boxster - blueboxster.com
 
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  09-29-2015, 03:42 PM | #9 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: St Catherines, Ontario 
					Posts: 439
				      | 
			whoa whoa new info.
 My car build sheet says it came with a hard top. Since its a 97 it mustve come with the ears. Except when I purchased the car in 2008 it didnt have the hardtop.
 
 Does this mean I can only install a 97-99 hardtop now because my car needs ears to be mounted?
 
				__________________2006 Audi A4 Avant 2.0t Quattro
 1997 Boxster Glacier White w/facelift(gone but not forgotten)
 2004 Boxster S 550 Spyder Anniversary Edition
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  09-29-2015, 04:19 PM | #10 |  
	| There Is No Substitute. 
				 
				Join Date: May 2007 Location: West Coast 
					Posts: 3,253
				      | 
			Any 986 hardtop (97-04) will fit any 986 Boxster (97-04).  The ears have absolutely nothing to do with mounting the hardtop to the car, they are a cosmetic quirk of the early year hardtops that was later removed.
 Any 986 (97-04) Roof Transport System (RTS) will mount on any 986 car.  All of the RTS's came with both the ear and body b-pillar mounts.  However, the ear b-pillar mounts should not be used.  The ears are essentially useless, hence why they stopped being included on later year hardtops.
 
				__________________1999 Ocean Blue Metallic Boxster - blueboxster.com
 
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  09-29-2015, 04:53 PM | #11 |  
	| Yeah, I've done that. 
				 
				Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Atlanta GA 
					Posts: 91
				      | 
			
	Quote: 
	
		| 
					Originally Posted by GTA_G20  whoa whoa new info.
 My car build sheet says it came with a hard top. Since its a 97 it mustve come with the ears. Except when I purchased the car in 2008 it didnt have the hardtop.
 
 Does this mean I can only install a 97-99 hardtop now because my car needs ears to be mounted?
 |  
What Rick3000 said above.  To say it another way, the "ears" are on the early hardtops, not on the hardtop equipped cars.  Since your car came with a hardtop, that means you most likely have the spinlocks.  Unless whoever sold the hardtop off your car removed them.
		 
				__________________1999 Boxster, Tiptronic, Hard Top, Arctic Silver with Boxster Red Interior
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  09-29-2015, 05:36 PM | #12 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: SW Okla 
					Posts: 1,117
				      | 
			
	Quote: 
	
		| 
					Originally Posted by GTA_G20  Does this mean I can only install a 97-99 hardtop now because my car needs ears to be mounted? |  
No worries. My car above with the ears (early top) is sitting on a 2002.  As long as you have the spinlocks on your car, you're good to go.
 
Any year 986 top will mount to any year 986 car.
		 
				__________________I think I have a Porsche problem...
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  09-30-2015, 12:44 PM | #13 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: St Catherines, Ontario 
					Posts: 439
				      | 
			Ok just wanted to be clear that I could fit any hardtop on my car which is what I assumed.
 I interpreted the ears and mounting issue was with the car not the RTS.
 
 Now that its clear. Chive on
 
 
				__________________2006 Audi A4 Avant 2.0t Quattro
 1997 Boxster Glacier White w/facelift(gone but not forgotten)
 2004 Boxster S 550 Spyder Anniversary Edition
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
	
	| 
	|  Posting Rules |  
	| 
		
		You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts 
 HTML code is On 
 |  |  |  All times are GMT -8. The time now is 10:50 AM. 
	
	
		
	
	
 |  |