Need a New Top
 

My plastic rear window on my '99 Boxster is toast. Cracked right in the middle. I'm connecting through friend to have new top installed. I definitely want to go glass rear window.

What is/are the best choice(s)?

Your best bet is to get an '03 or '04 top AND frame. Plug and play. Better access to the engine than with a glass window top designed to install on your frame.

Is it real plug and play? No mods?

If your car is a 2000, 2001, or 2002 model year, then no mods are necessary, and the new top and frame can just be bolted on and work fine. That's how it worked for my 01. For model years 97-99, you will need some mods. See below link for the full details. If I couldn't get my hands on an OEM 03-04 top, I would have gone with the GAHH aftermarket top with glass.

https://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/installinga%2703-%2704glasstopandframeona%2797

I have an 03 top and frame on mine, and it is awesome not having the cheap plastic back there which really doesn't belong on a Porsche IMO.
http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps8th4ifkt.jpg

Checking out GAHH, What is difference between Stayfast, Twillfast, Acoustic A5, and German A5?

I haven't purchased from them so not sure. I know they have varying types of cloth top materials, some that are like the material the factory top uses, while others aren't. I'd contact GAHH and ask them to clarify.

KB Results

Describes cloth types.

Has anybody put the 03-04 top on 97-99 keeping old transmissions and figuring this part out:

In that case however, you will have to devise a way to trip the B-Pillar microswitch at the appropriate time in the cycle because of the new location of the B pillar on the new, 4-bow, frame.

And then you need to check for leaking cylinders,wonky cables and the motors. If this gets to be too much, there is Thread on a manual operation conversion.
Woody has a good Thread and there is this one:
http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/43235-why-i-converted-manual-top.html

I don't understand where all those problems pop up. My top mechanisms are original, and in 15 yrs, I haven't had to replace any parts (motor, cables, levers)...heck, even the red plastic ball caps on each arm is still original, and nothing has broken yet. The only thing I've changed is the top and frame itself to the 03 version.

So no problem with "B Pillar micro switch? Lights for top up and down sti ll work correctly?

Sorry - forgot you have 01.

The 97-99 are different mechanics. I had to replace one transmission but that was because I was stupid and installed the bypass for putting top down without having emergency break engaged. One day I didn't release hatch all the way and pop, pop, pop - ugly.

I went manual for a year. I like having a switch :)

A write up on how to install a '03-'04 frame and top on a '97-'02 car was done by Maurice who has done lots of tops.

Your answers may be there.

It just states that you have to figure out the B-Pillar switch

I think it's because Maurice opted to update his early Boxster with all the upgrades (newer transmissions, relay, cables, etc) to make it function just like the 00-02 models with the 03-04 top, so he didn't just try to figure out how to time it with the B switch. If you PM him, he might be able to give some advice. He truly knows the tops inside out, and I couldn't have done the swap without his know how.

Mike, you have stuck around these Boxster forums (a good thing) long after you've sold your last Boxster. You must miss the car...when you getting another? ;)

No it says if you keep old mechanicals you need to figure out B-Pillar switch.

I know. What I was trying to say was that he decided not to go that route (keep the old mechanicals), and to instead upgrade all the pieces to make his earlier model Boxster have the same mechanicals as the 00-02 Boxster. Thus, he didn't need to figure out the B-pillar switch timing part of the conversation. He can explain better than me though.

IMHO, go with the OEM '03 or '04. I prefer the look of those over the aftermarket ones.

Here is a before and after photo going from the original plastic rear window to a glass '03 top.

BEFORE;

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...r/P1070300.jpg

AFTER;
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...r/P1070350.jpg

Well I went with GAHH glass window replacement. Carl's Custom Upholstery did the work. They are awesome to deal with. Professional job at reasonable price.

I love the new top! Now it's off to storage and let top stretch over Winter hibernation

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...psithxmnvx.jpg

did you replace the entire roof or just the glass?

I wonder if one could just cover the plastic with same material as the top and then install a LCD screen with back camera and use that instead of trying to look through a blurry back plastic window.... is this option even legal ? It would be much cheaper and probably better viewing with a 180 degree camera installed in the rear.

Where are all you guys finding 03-04 complete tops and frames? Walmart ?

Yeah...Walmart has some good deals on these tops. :p

Seriously though, I got mine from someone on this forum back in 09 when their friend borrowed his Boxster, hit a curb in the rain and so he had to part it out. Top and frame was in perfect condition still though. You can actually search a database for this top on a site (car-part.com), where wreckers across the nation post up if they have this part. Just search for 2003 or 2004 Boxster "Roof", and then choose soft top, roof. There are a few up there now. A friend of mine got his 04 top this way, and it was also in great condition.

I got my 03 top for $700, and prefer it over the look and functionality of the aftermarket GAHH tops which partially block engine access, but if it was gonna be more than $1200, I'd prob just get a GAHH aftermarket top and have someone install it.

I'm going to guess that people find these tops by contacting Woody, DC Auto, LA Dismantler, Parts Heaven, Craigslist, eBay - wrecked cars and people converting road cars to race cars. Keeping my eyes peeled for the things I've wanted to add to my car is how I've found them.

As the owner of an '03 with a glass rear window and previous owner of 3 convertibles with plastic rear windows, I have to say I love the glass and defroster. But I also want to say that lines of the earlier tops with less bows have better lines, and the pre-'03 cars have cleaner bumper covers. The best looking Boxsters are the earlier years with headlights, taillights and side marker lights de-ambered! So if I had an earlier car, I'd be tempted to go with the aftermarket top with a glass window, despite the more restricted engine access!

Probably up to local laws. I know some makers are thinking of replacing the outside mirrors with cameras and screens. Anything for an additional tenth of a MPG.

Well I went with GAHH glass window replacement. Carl's Custom Upholstery did the work. They are awesome to deal with. Professional job at reasonable price.

I love the new top! Now it's off to storage and let top stretch over Winter hibernation

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...psithxmnvx.jpg

I replace whole top. Lousy picture taken at night at gas station. It looks awesome. I do prefer the lines without extra bow. These early models are simple and beautiful.

Tucked her away on storage today. Can't wait for Spring!

BTW I don't have heated mirrors. Anybody try to hook up defrost window direct?

The top looks great!! You're gonna love it. That's weird that you don't have the heated mirror switch on the dash, I thought that was standard on all Boxsters.

I have a stupid question for anyone that can answer........When I got my 02 S almost 4 years ago it came with an extra new top in the box. Its a GAAH with a glass window. I have just kept it in storage because the original top is still in very good condition. When it is time to change the top do I have to get an 03-04 frame with less bows, or can I use the current 02 frame?.......Thanks in advance.

The high probability is that the top in the box was for the '02S which would be different from a '03-'04 top and structure. A '02 could have either the original plastic window or the glass window replacement. Never heard of a '03-'04 original or replacement with a plastic window. So which does yours have?

Most GAHH tops are for the older plastic window replacement market.

To be sure, see if there is a part number or some documentation that came with the GAHH top possibly in or on the box. That would establish which frame it was meant to mate with.

If intended for the plastic window '97-'02 frame, and you currently have a plastic big window, no frame replacement needed. A set of instructions here.

If the glass window height is narrow (around 12"), it will fit your '02. If the glass window is larger it would be for the '03-'04 top. Considering the main reason people replace the top is the plastic window breaking, and that '03-'04 replacements tops are rare for that reason, it's a good bet the top you have is for the old style frame your '02 current has. :cheers:

Thanks for the replies......I will dig it out of the attic and take a look at the model # and measure the window height.