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After the new top is installed ...
I had a new Robbins top installed professionally 3 weeks ago. Happily, insurance paid all except the excess.
The top looks good. I have got used to the smaller window and now like the looks - it has a slightly deco appearance. My query is how long does it take for the material to stretch to fit? I was advised not to use the top for 2 weeks, and so I left it alone. I have since opened and closed the top a few times. It opens without difficulty (although the first time it was hung up on the hook), but on closing there is a 1" gap. I can pull the hook into position, but I am concerned that the force needed to close it down may do some damage. Advice? Your thoughts? Here are some pictures of my 2001 S ... http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...r/Newhood2.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...r/Newhood1.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...r/Newhood3.jpg Regards from Perth Derek |
Beautiful 986, Derek!
I had a GAHH glass retrofit professionally installed on my 986 many years ago and had the same issue. I actually had two new GAHH tops installed and they both failed to lock as easily as the OE top. I think they both loosened up a little over time but never with the ease of the OE top. I don't know if your installer can do anything to loosen it up for you. I chose to live with mine. BTW, my first replacement top suffered from the glass separation issue that wasn't uncommon on the early retrofit glass tops. Best of luck, ddb |
no idea about the stretching as my car already had the top on it when I got it for almost a year...
BUT I have the same top as you, I love it! the glass window makes a huge difference |
I am afraid, never :(
Mine is 2 years now and still hasn't stretched enough |
Looks good. Can you tell me what the new top cost (in this part of the world) ?
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I spoke to the installer today. He is an experienced professional that came recommended by my Porsche mechanic. His advice was that I needed 2 weeks in the sun. Of course it is spring here and still overcast, plus the car is garaged during the day. So little time in the sun. I assume after two years your top has been outdoors in the sun, and so has stretched its max. What is the gap you have, and what danger is there for the hook? Can the hook break - it looks as though it is make from plastic? Regards from Perth Derek |
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I am insured with Shannons. They did not fuss with the cost of replacement - considered it cheap compared to an original part! The total cost (which involves importing and shipping from the USA to Perth, and then installation) was $2800. Just to be exact, this is for the heated glass window, and the price included the connection kit. My original window was in good condition, but it looks like some swine stuck a key through one corner. It was possible to get the vinyl replaced ($850) but after this I decided that only a glass rear window would give me peace of mind. http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...anceclaim1.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...anceclaim2.jpg Regards from Perth Derek |
I imagine the exchange rate will skew that number a bit. Has anyone in the states paid to have their top installed recently? I was considering the DIY method, but I really would like it done correctly, and being my daily driver, I didn't really want to get it torn apart and then not be able to get it back together quickly enough.
I'm thinking of purchasing the upgraded glass top from an ebay vendor and having my Porsche Indy install it for me. What should that install cost? |
I was told 7 to 10 hours to install, here in Reno. Most places did not want to deal with me bringing in a top, only selling me the same thing at additional cost. I have yet to do it, rebuilding the engine took priority.
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I am in Houston and did the install myself. It is my DD as well and to make sure I had all I needed as well as enough time I started my install on a Friday afternoon and worked until Saturday afternoon. It was a PROJECT but worth every penny. I love my Glass Window top and so does everybody that sees it. If you have any questions or need help let me know. FYI I was quoted $1500 with a new top. Not sure if that is a good deal or not but I paid $600 for mine so I think the $900 savings was worth the days work. Plus I figured out alot of stuff about my PCar while in the process. GOOD LUCK! |
I paid $1350 for a new GAHH Glass Window top installed, plus I had a couple of plastic pieces that needed to be replaced. Total was just under $1500. I let mine set for 4 weeks before opening and closing it. It now fits nicely...but, has to go back for a little tweaking to remove a couple of wrinkles.
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I was quoted $1625 about four weeks ago from a local shop. They use GAHH and the quote I got was for the German A5 canvas w/ heated glass. As I saw the dude typing in the numbers to give me my quote, he had typed in $400 for labor. So then I asked him if I were to bring in a top, how much would he charge to install it? He said $500. I guess he had to make up the profit he'd be losing on the retail markup of the top!
Since the installer was over two weeks backlogged, and I didn't want to wait, and I'd be saving myself $700, I ordered the same top from GAHH for $925 shipped and installed it myself. Took 7.5 hours. Myself, and two others that did our own replacements, talk about it here: http://986forum.com/forums/performance-technical-chat/30464-rag-top-replacement.html |
had mine installed a few months ago and love it. but i agree, it definitely doesn't close as easily. i have to force it closed before the latch will catch. kinda annoying, but still worth the clean glass window and new top. makes the car look so much nicer.
how did you get insurance to cover it? i didn't even bother, just figured they would count it as normal wear and tear. |
Isn't there an adjustment for the tension cables? I've seen a picture where you can run a bolt up and down near the cable anchoring point and it moves the ball that the cable connects to. I've never done a top but I remember something about this adjusting bolt.
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I had mine done a few months ago for around $1700. Insurance paid for the majority of it. I'm glad I'm not the only one with closing issue. It doesn't seem like it's gotten any better but I just yank it down by the hand holes and latch it.
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Well wouldn't you know it... yesterday I ordered the new top right.. well today I see some bees on the base of the plastic window as I'm getting in my car. Well, I get in and decided it would be a good idea to "flick" the bees off from inside...
well that wasn't a good idea. as brittle as my plastic window was/is, it cracked immediately... about the size of a quarter.. lovely... luckily i had already contacted an upholstery shop the day I ordered my top and got an appointment scheduled for the replacement! I can't wait! I'll post pics and price when I get it back. |
Thanks derekcohen. Could you also tell me where you got your top from? My car is a 2004 model.
Thanks again. |
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I've never seen a beige or tan top on a Boxster. Do you have any pics before the change? Beige or tan would make a classic color combination with some exterior colors IMO. I believe this is the first instance I've seen of an OE glass window top being replaced with an aftermarket glass window top. Does the glass appear to be the same size? I assume you won't loose any accessibility when placing the top in the service position. Best of luck with it. ddb |
I received the following email today from Robbins, to who I wrote for a direct answer:
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Derek |
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They have been very reliable and quick to respond to emails. Recommended. The top was ordered by them from Robbins. Regards from Perth Derek |
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First before photo is of mine from the dealership. Second photo is of another vehicle I found on the Internet with the same color combination. I'm including it because it's a clearer shot. Third and fourth photos are after the new, black top. |
I had the identical issue with my old Miata.That thing never closed easily. In the beginning I had to hop onto the back of the car and push the top forward while someone closed it from inside the car. So I let it sit closed for weeks and weeks. And since it was only driven weekends it almost always sat in the closed position.
Nothing. A royal pain in the arse. And there were alignment issues to boot. Which got me thinking it has more to do with the looseness of the hardware on the frame (being a used car) coupled with a very stiff, right out of the box canvas. In other words I think the hardware becomes too loose for a top that is not going to be stretching anytime soon. And that's if the hardware on the frame can even be retightened to produce more stretching or if its like the annoying sun visor that won't stay up unless you simply buy a new visor. I'm giving hard thought to just replacing the plastic again. Or lucking into an 03 OEM full top assembly which is a trick since most Boxster tops are not properly washed (detergent was used) nor Raggtopp protected (faded). |
Just got quoted $750 by a very good installer locally. I'm leaning towards the DIY route now. $750 can buy a lot of oil, tires, bypass pipes :)
Any other guys done the DIY route and want to share their experience? My biggest concern is the "not having the right parts" or "breaking something and having to order it" after getting the old top off. |
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*sigh*... really?? lose the 'tude!
You posted the link to YOUR DIY and I clearly said "any OTHER guys".. as in "any more than the ONE guy on this thread so far"... |
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defensive? you have like 10 posts and you come on here saying "don't people read previous posts anymore". i've got several posts in this thread if you hadn't noticed.. "save face".. "fail"... you sound like pretentious teenager to be honest...
my bad for asking the public forum if anyone wanted to share some tips about top replacement in a thread about top replacement... what the hell was i thinking? |
This conversation, your defensiveness and now your need to self validate, yeah, we're done here. This obviously isn't going to go anywhere. I'm not being dragged into your trolling.
However, still trying to be the nice guy, the questions you asked are well answered. Not only in the link I provided, but many others. Those threads will help you get what you need accomplished. I was in your place only a few short weeks ago, and now I have a nice new top. All from the information I learned in this forum. Well, that, and the 101projects book. So, no matter what beef you have with me, get over it and get your new top on! |
Update on top installation:
A further two weeks have gone by. I would say that the top has stretched to a satisfactory degree and, at this stage, is 99% of the re-replacement fit. All-in-all, this conversion has been very worthwhile. Glass rear window, heated, no fears of damage to vinyl by vandals, no clouding, no cracking, no need to fold the vinyl each time the top is lowered ... Regards from Perth Derek |
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