GAHH top self-install ?
 

I see that GAHH (one of our sponsors) currently has a killer deal for their insulated glass tops

I was wondering if I can install the top myself.
Did anyone ever try it?

Chris, men install tops and you are a man, therefore you can install this top.

I do not think it requires any special tools.

And I know there's a tutorial online for it somewhere. Maybe Mike Focke or Pedro would know.

If you pay to have a GAHH authorized installer do it, you get a very good warranty that covers the top AND the labor to replace it or fix anything in the next X years.

Here's the link to Mike Focke's guide:

http://mike.focke.googlepages.com/replacingthetop-adiy

If anyone ever wants to replace their own top in the Central Virginia area, let me know. I'd love to assist on one before I try my own.

I just paid to have mine done. I wouldn't take this on myself. Lots of quirky little things can go wrong. The little ball thingies break. Then you have to go buy the right parts. You need to lube the frame in the right places. You need to stretch the new top just so. If you wire the defroster wrong the wire will break. I just don't see this as a job that will go well as a do-it-yourself effort. Putting on a top is an artform.

By the way -- my GAHH has the new acoustic material. I strongly recommend getting it. The new top is literally as quiet or quieter than my hardtop. Big difference from the original.

I spotted this in the FAQs:

I would like to make a purchase from you, and install it myself. Do you have installation instructions?

No, we do not. We recommend all our items be installed by a professional. Our products are not designed to be installed by anyone other than a professional. Improper installation will void our warranty.

I've done three so far this year. There are a couple of quirky little things, but it's not such a terrible job. I'm in central Virginia ... hey Kevin H, where in C.VA are you? I'm just east of Charlottesville.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisZang I see that GAHH (one of our sponsors) currently has a killer deal for their insulated glass tops I was wondering if I can install the top myself. Did anyone ever try it?

Chris,

Went to the GAHH website and I don't see any special prices on Boxster tops. What "current killer deal" are you referring to?

While I'm all for DIYs, I would approach this one with caution. at the very least, make sure you research al the DIYs on the net and pay attention to any tips/tricks. I bought my '02 box with the GAHH top, which was supposedly professionally installed. However, it was installed incorrectly, causing the top to separate from the seams where the top meets the rear edge of the window (it would be easier to explain w/pix). I took the top to 2 authorized GAHH installers in my area to see if it could be fixed and both indicated that the damage was likely due to an improper install. on top of that, since I didn't know who installed the top originally or have any receipts, I would pretty much be eating the cost myself (approx $900).

I'll have to get a top in the next yr of so. I started doing homework and contacted GAHH with some questions re colors, fabrics, etc. They were not very helpful.
I'd like to think that I could do this myself, but the warranty issue is important. Plus the aggravation that would be experienced before the thing fails.
Can anyone put an $ estimate of the cost of professional installation?
That's a great link for DIY above, but it really alarms me that there are a lot of things to screw up!
I wish you all the luck possible and please keep us informed about your decision and progress.
Bob

Just got mine done. And, I already forgot what I paid, but it was something like $800 for the top and $600 to install. Maybe $1400 all-in.

less than $1k for the sound insulated top (incl. shipping)
I was under the impression that some time ago they were like $2k but maybe my memory is off...

Call them for a quote. I got a small discount. But it was definitely under $1K and worth every penny.

The sound insulation really makes a difference.

Fatmike ~
19K on an '02 and you needed a top? Plus you own a hardtop? Was it damaged or bad window, or just wanted an upgrade or color change?
Did you get the glass window? If so, what 's your opinion of the reduced view from the driver's seat?
Sorry for all the questions......

Bob

a local shop quoted me $1400 + tax to do a glass top install - that's part + labor. I believe that was for a GAAH top... didn't get the exact brand, but they did say, if I just went out and sourced my own top and had them install it they charge $550 to put it on.

I can get my plastic window fixed for about $275-300 if I just hvae them sew in a new plastic window.

my top is not that old and in good overall condition. too bad I can't just sew in glass...

I had a GAHH top installed by an "approved" installer. The top and installation was only about $1200. If anything goes wrong, GAHH will pay for the repair and labor. I think it is worth the money. I don't have the sound insulation. Wish I did. I love the glass window and use the defroster often on Florida. The window is definately smaller and you have to be carefull backing up due to a larger blind spot. But moving foward, there is no problem and I have no problem changing lanes.

Eric

Too bad. I saw the $925.00 price but was hoping I was missing a hidden link with an even better price. lol.

Hi Bob. My car has 33kmiles on it now. I need to update my signature.

The car (and top) are 7 years old though. The plastic doesn't last in the cold of the northeast. In spite of my best efforts, the plastic developed a crack last year. It was bad enough that there were cracks on both sides. The car couldn't be left out in the rain. It looked terrible.

Yes, I got the glass window. I find that the visibility out of the rear is dramatically improved. I couldn't see a damn thing out of the old plastic window. I used dedicated cleaner and polish, but the visibility was just terrible. Yes, you lose some "window area" with the GAHH top, but what you get is adequate in size and crystal clear. What you are really losing is an inch or two along the top. You'll find that you simply don't notice after a couple of days.

Get the acoustic material. It really makes a difference. Its super quiet (like my hardtop - probably quieter actually). I might not put my hardtop on this winter. My car is a DD.

I like not having to do a karate chop when I put the top down.

Really - worth every penny. If your OEM plastic window is cracked, this upgrade is a no-brainer.

Great review, FatMike. You have me convinced about what to buy when the time comes.

Bob

GAHH Customer Service????
 

I sent an email to GAHH a week ago asking them for a list of "approved" installers and have never heard from them. What can I expect after they have my money?

I had the same issue when I emailedthem about installlers. Took over a week for them to get back with me. However my phone call before then was answered promptly and the salesman I talked to was very helpful. I still however have not made my purchase yet.

There is another company that sells what looks like an identical top for a couple of hundred less. When I get home this morning I will post a link. Don't have it on my iPhone.

Here ya go... http://www.autotopsdirect.com/

Anybody have one of these installed?

Tinted glass window, German A5 Canvas, warranty. Looks excellent and the price is awesome. Under $700 shipped.

Worth serious consideration. Great prices, informative website.

If anybody has bought from these guys or is going to soon let me know your experience. I am seriously considering buying one of their tops.

GAHH websight lists approved installers like Stan's Auto Top in Chatham N.J. :)

Peter...Maybe I'm having a bad day, but I can't find that installer directory. can you assist?
Bob

Ditto on the Mike Focke's DIY. I replaced my wife's 986 top and it was a breeze but it did take 7.5 hours but saved XXXX $$.

http://mike.focke.googlepages.com/replacingthetop-adiy
:cheers:

Hi, I just installed a new top with plastic window on my 97, removal took me 3 hours and 5 hours to install, not difficult at all.

I tried using the 3M tape but it wouldn't stick to the canvas so i tried contact glue and it worked fine.

Logic and patience and it was done :)

I want to thank my wife :D :D Mike.focke and his friends for the D.I.Y. write up. :cheers:

I'm in edmonton, alberta, canada and need to install a gahh top this weekend (was going to pay installer, but the shop overbooked and bailed on me at the last second, need to complete this weekend).

I've read the wikia/mike focke instructions. Can anybody tell me the tricks of the GAHH top install (i.e., where to lubricate, any other fitment stuff, tricks etc). Thanks.

Mike's instructions are pretty good. You can do the job by those instructions alone. However, you can do a search here and find some additional info that may help.

When I did mine, I used Mike's info in addition to the 101projects book. Almost a year later and the top still looks good and operates as intended!

make sure you have the tape and glue already. I also used Mikes instructions and the 101 projects book. Be very careful removing the plastic sliders and pins especially since you have to have it done this weekend. I had to replace one slider due to broken pins. I would have recommended you just buy new ones in advance, they weren't expensive.

Watch what you are doing when you take it apart and keep all the hardware organizedhttp://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1348254784.jpg

Make sure to follow the guide step by step
 

Like Bar10dah & Brian have advised, take your time, don't cut corners, follow the instructions TO THE LETTER & you will be fine. I found the tape didn't want to stick to the canvas & struggled a bit with that. Contact cement or 3M Weatherstrip adhesive is probably the better solution. I also replaced the sliders, clamps & pins just to be sure.

Like some others mentioned,
 

the tape did not work for me. It would not stick to the canvas at all. I used a double sided banner tape that sign shops use to hem the edges of vinyl banners. It is very stick and worked alot better than the recommended tape. The install is not easy or particularly enjoyable but it definately can be done and the money saved can be quite a bit. The only thing I would warn you of is to make sure you get the straps that pull the top inside the side window frame pieces attached properly. The ones on the top I got were somewhat different than the OEM top and I did not get them installed properly and have to make some adjustments to the top to get it to retract properly.

I just completed replacing the convertible top on my 2001 Boxster. I ordered a replacement top from www.autotopsdirect.com ... German A5 canvas, tinted soft rear window... manufactured by a California company called Sierra ... $389.00. Very impressed with the quality and workmanship of the new top.

Follow Mike Focke's excellent instructions, take your time, and pay attention to details. I also took a boatload of pictures of the removal of the old top with my digital camera.

I used contact cement versus the 3M double-sided tape. The tape just didn't want to adhere to and hold the new canvas top material very well. Finished the job in a weekend (I took my time and sweated every detail of the new top installation). The new top is wrinkle free and functions flawlessly! :)

I got my top from AutoTopsDirect. Installed it myself in 6-7 hours with the instructions they provided. Here's a link to the install PDF and a picture of the top installed :)

PDF

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1348496849.jpg