De-and Changed Some Interior Items
 

I have had my car almost nine years and I thought it was a good time to show the before and after shots of the changes I've made during my ownership. One or two changes per year have had a cumulative effect and made the car more enjoyable and convenient.

1. Installed litronics and changed to non-amber "smoked" side markers.

Before:

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1423361473.jpg

After:

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1423361527.jpg

2. Painted bumperettes:

Before:

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1423361858.jpg

After:

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1423361911.jpg

3. Interior:

Before:

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1423362530.jpg

After:

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1423362594.jpg

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1423362629.jpg

Note the wood trim items, painted center console, 5-gauge cluster and double din nav unit. You probably cannot see the garage door opener on the dash or the intermittent wiper control.

4. 2004 top and frame install:

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1423363287.jpg

The advice on this forum and several others has made this all possible.

It all looks great, nice work!

Wow looks really good!

Where did you get that airbag? What's next?

Some very tasteful mods. Nice job.

The airbag came with the steering wheel, brake handle and shift knob. I think the seller was building a race car. I think the airbag is leather, so it may have come from a car with the full leather interior. The Porsche crest does not appear to be OEM. I think it is glued on.

Regarding what's next, I have a few things in mind:

1. I want to install the components for the dynamic self-leveling litronic headlights. Right now, the headlights swivel when I turn on the high beams, but the factory option compensated for the up and down motion of the car. A Brit who posts on Renntech and Boxanet has figured it out, so I think that will be a fun mod if I can find all the parts I need at a reasonable price.

2. The top fabric is getting a little worn. Although it is newer than the original one it replaced, it is 11 years old. So, I'm thinking of doing that in the next year or so. I need to figure out the best-quality product after considering price and then find a good time to do it. I may take the frame off the car and do it while I have the hard top on next year. I don't have time to do it now.

3. There is a thin strip between the upper and lower dash that some folks paint. I think it would look good if I painted it to match the console. It is difficult to get it out, but if we have a snow storm that keeps me from driving the car for a week or two I may take that on as a remedy to cabin fever. I don't want to overdo the painted trim. There is a point when enough is enough.

I'm planning to keep the car for the foreseeable future, so I like to make changes to keep it fresh.
Thanks for the feedback.

Very nice mods.

You made a nice car even nicer!

And yes, the airbag is from a full leather interior car.

Very nice car! I got your next project right here:

Now you got a sweet ride!

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1423411647.jpg

:D

+ 1 on what Chrisp says. Very tasteful and still looks like a Boxster.

AKL :cheers:

Maybe not. I'm trying to stick with OEM part upgrades from either a 996 or a 986. The only exception I've made so far is the Pioneer headunit and I think that looks better (less busy) than the stock PCM units from the early part of the century.

I love what you did with dash, aircon/satnav/screen stuff.. :)

what do I need to go from:
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01/IMG_0030+11423362530.jpg

to :
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01/IMG_50021423362594.jpg

I would LOVE that :)


thank you sir! :)

this?

Sorry for hijacking the thread :)

97 02 Porsche 986 Boxster Double DIN Installation Kit | eBay

Please do not put a spoiler like that on your car. I threw up a little in my mouth when I saw that :rolleyes:!

I like everything you've done to your car. With the hard top, it looks a lot like my 2003 S ;)!

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1423430782.jpg

Looks great, curious about the five gauge cluster though-where did you source that and was that straight forward? What are the outside gauges showing-voltmeter and oil pressure?

Update: found this-
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/90-ELEC-996_Cluster/90-ELEC-996_Cluster.htm

Here's the entire story on my adventure with the 996 cluster. http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/43017-carrera-gauge-swap.html


I bought mine for about $150 or $155 because it was damaged. I put a lot of time into making it work, so I have to figure that into the final cost. I think I answered a want ad on Pelican Parts. The seller was a Porsche technician who had replaced it under warranty because of a problem with one of the LCD's.

I think a good source would be to find someone parting out a 996. Read the Pelican Parts article carefully because there are two types of clusters and you need the correct one.

If you need to re-program the cluster, here are the instructions: http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/47801-programming-a-carrera-instrument-cluster-for-transplant-to-a-boxster/

You need to be a contributing member on Renntech to access them. If you aren't, send me a PM with your e-mail address and I will send them to you.

That's what I used.

Here's some information on re-routing the wiring for moving the HVAC controls and installing a back up camera: http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/51283-does-anyone-know-vss-wire-02-bose.html

The last few posts in that thread show some better pictures of my final installation.

Thank you sir. I appreciate that! :)

He needs the one from the guy that had it on backwards where it actually created lift :)

Joking aside, great looking and very tasteful mods.

Oh - I did that mod :D

There some b4 & after drama for you OP lol

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01/b41423492287.jpg

^ That is worth it, very nice. Love that cluster and the 2din mate

Well done