How important is a glass rear window?

[mavis.d]

I had a plastic rear screen that cracked and recently changed it for a 2003/4 glass screen. Straight swap took about 3 hrs and is much better. Looked at aftermarket replacement roofs but went oem

[Finnegan]

Thanks for all the responses! First-hand experience was exactly what I was looking for.

[DG Boxster]

Originally Posted by mavis.d

I had a plastic rear screen that cracked and recently changed it for a 2003/4 glass screen. Straight swap took about 3 hrs and is much better. Looked at aftermarket replacement roofs but went oem

Wow 3 hours is great. I read the chapter in the 100 projects website and it looked like a bigger job than that. Did you replace the top and frame or just the top. Can you share the cost?

[Deserion]

Originally Posted by DG Boxster

Wow 3 hours is great. I read the chapter in the 100 projects website and it looked like a bigger job than that. Did you replace the top and frame or just the top. Can you share the cost?

The 1997-2002 and 2003-2004 frames are different. The late frame has an extra bow in the rear.

[KevinH1990]

Originally Posted by DG Boxster

Wow 3 hours is great. I read the chapter in the 100 projects website and it looked like a bigger job than that. Did you replace the top and frame or just the top. Can you share the cost?

I paid $1100 for my 04 top and frame from Oklahoma Foreign. Fortunately, I was able to re-sell my top and frame for $500 so the net cost wasn't too bad.

As noted in the previous posts, you can buy a replacement glass top only and put in on a 97-02 frame. The window is smaller and some people state that this arrangement restricts access to the engine compartment.

The swap is a relatively quick and easy job. The hard part of the 03-04 swap is finding a good donor top. Only the 03 and 04 cars are potential donors so you are talking about a relatively small pool. I think you can also buy the top and frame from Porsche, but I think I read somewhere that the frame alone would set you back $3-4 thousand.

The other downside is that the fabric on an 03 or 04 donor tops is now 11-12 years old. Mine is starting to develop holes in the area behind the doors. (The glass on the other hand looks like new.)

If you can find a nice 03 or 04 top and frame locally at a good price, you will be happy with the results.