Soft Top Install. - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

More · 10-02-2014, 07:41 PM

Hi Guys,

I just bought a new soft top for my Porsche Boxster and I'm wondering how long it take to install?

Cheers!!

KevinH1990 · 10-03-2014, 02:28 AM

https://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/replacingthetop-adiy

I have not done it myself, but based on what I've read it would range between 6 hours for a professional and an entire weekend for a novice.

opus69 · 10-04-2014, 03:56 PM

Lots of good tips on this sight if you search for them. There are some plastic parts very prone to breakage especially some pins in the plastic slides. If I were to do it over I would have replaced them since they were not expensive (order before starting.) Also make sure the weather is warm enough to stretch the canvas.

Westwood · 10-05-2014, 06:43 AM

It is not a hard job if you are into working on your car. I bought the Tony Robyns top from EBay this summer and my wife helped me install it. It was about 6 hours total, but worth it when you see some peoples estimates for shop work!

And yes, it is a smart idea to order the plastic pieces that are mentioned in the DIY articles that you will find on the web! I figured I am handier than most and would be careful in dis-assembly, but no, the plastic gets old and brittle so I ended up ordering new clamping pieces and push rivets. Do yourself a favor and just order them.

A couple of notes: make sure the plastic piece is "behind" the spring that you will see mentioned. And I used 5 minute epoxy to secure the push pin into the plastic pieces with the elastic strap. Yep, you have to hold it for 5 minutes while it cures or the elastic might pull the rivet out, but mine are still in place and the elastic helps pull the cable so the top stays behind the metal side pieces when closing.

Most of it was pretty straight forward. Mine had screw holes in the appropriate places so that helped line it up. Make sure to keep the rear rubber gaskets in order on the floor so you get them installed correctly when putting them back in. Mine got put away while I waited for the plastic parts to come from Pelican and next thing you know I am looking at photos & parts breakdowns to get them in correctly.