Top options

[CHRISP357]

I like the idea of a glass window. Will the top off an 04 fit in my 02? If so, what else do I need? New frame?
Thanks.

[silver-S]

Yes, you have to take the whole frame as well as the top/window. Otherwise, the window won't fold up properly.

[CHRISP357]

Originally Posted by silver-S

Yes, you have to take the whole frame as well as the top/window. Otherwise, the window won't fold up properly.

Thank you!

[jb92563]

I have just bought an 03 top with glass for my 01 and will install it this friday so I'll have first hand experience.

The 03/04 tops have 4 roof bows so the shape changes slightly, but they will fit 2000-2002 plug and play.

You should review this great writeup on the process if you are going that route:
Installing a '03-'04 Porsche glass top and frame on a '97-'02

The other options are the GAAH and similar tops that go over your existing frame. You can get them with glass windows as well but they glass is narrower because of the 3 bow frame and resulting folding pattern vs the 4 bow frame.

[PaulDash]

Originally Posted by jb92563

You should review this great writeup on the process if you are going that route:
Installing a '03-'04 Porsche glass top and frame on a '97-'02

Thanks, that's a useful link, as I'm thinking of swapping the top as well.

The instructions mention:

Note that if you don't want to do any rewiring on your early Boxster ('97 to '99), you can still install the OEM glass-windowed top and keep the old 'A Version' system which includes the less reliable 'half-moon gear' transmissions, the non-crosshatched cables (i.e., prone to stretching), the 'B-Pillar microswitch', the 'lever' microswitch on top of the electric motor and the old 'A Version' relay. In that case however, you will have to devise a way to trip the B-Pillar microswitch at the appropriate time in the cycle because of the new location of the B pillar on the new, 4-bow, frame.

What do they mean with the 'devise a way to trip the B-pillar microswitch'?

Is a glass-windowed top really a drop-in replacement for my MY'99?

[jb92563]

I completed my Top replacement and for the 2000-2002 models it is a simple boltup and plug and play install.

Took me about 3 hours to remove the old and install the new top.

For the 97-99 models it seems to be more involved due to the micro switches.
The 2nd and 3rd PDF's at that link describe how to do the extra work.

Since it will take a lot longer I think that the GAAH top would be a viable option instead as the time may be the same to install on your existing frame and you will end up with a NEW top in the end.

I wouldn't bother doing the 4 bow top for the 97-99's based on the cost unless you can afford the extra time and get the 4 bow top for a really good price.

Right now decent used 4 bow tops/frame in the USA go for ~700 or more.

You can get New replacement tops with glass starting at about $500.