02-04-2014, 02:27 PM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 143
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DIY convertible top install?
Any of you ever R&R your convertible top as a DIY project? How hard a job was it? Are the glass windows worth the extra $?
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02-05-2014, 02:02 PM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Winnipeg MB
Posts: 2,485
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It's been discussed to death in countless threads. Do a search.
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'99 black 986
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02-05-2014, 05:55 PM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 156
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DIY top
It can be done if you are careful. It is a lot of work and should be done in warm weather. (easier to stretch the canvas). Glass top is well worth it to me. I would carefully label each type screw and fittings. I did for but the last two screws and wouldn't you know it I forgot where they went. Figured it out much later now can't find the screws. Truthfully it was time consuming and lot of work. As mentioned by the other member there are numerous posts and downloads with instructions. Keep in mind there are variations and your top could be slightly different than the one in the instructions. The two plastic sliders and pins on the side are fairly cheap and easy to break. I would get new ones. Good luck
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02-05-2014, 06:11 PM
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#4
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Theoretical propagandist
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 793
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If you are patient and can pay attention to detail it is very doable. Mine only took an afternoon to complete. Mark however clearly makes a good point, there is ton's of data on the sight, so go do your homework!
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When life throws you curves, aim for the apex...
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02-06-2014, 12:25 PM
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Sanford NC
Posts: 2,571
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How to do it with pictures here.
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02-06-2014, 02:11 PM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 143
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Thanks all!
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02-17-2014, 04:44 PM
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Montreal
Posts: 11
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That was my first DIY project on my Boxster. It took me a full day to perform the task. But the result is top quality. I did install the glass window. Lot better the only thing is the real glass is a little smaller so less vision with the top on. If you email me I can send you the instructions received with my new top.
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If you want something done, give it to a busy guy!
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02-17-2014, 05:25 PM
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#8
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Certified Boxster Addict
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7,669
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I greatly admire you guys who replaced your own top. After replacing the top on an earlier owned Miata, I swore that I would never, ever, ever, ever replace a soft top again. So, when it came time to replace my Boxster top, I had a local shop do the install for an affordable $350. Best $350 that I ever spent.
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1999 996 C2 - sold - bought back - sold for more
1997 Spec Boxster BSR #254
1979 911 SC
POC Licensed DE/TT Instructor
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03-17-2014, 12:19 PM
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#10
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Texas-T
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: charlotte, nc
Posts: 65
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Someone cut my top open with a knife, so i took it to the dealer, and it was covered by my insurance claim, minus the deductible. the dealers cost for the aftermarket top (with glass,) and interior liner, and labor was over $5k. I had to go back repeatedly, i don't even want to say how many times i had to back there, but lets just say i got to know the service guys very well during the process. On one visit, i had to take home an overnight loaner. Seems like it must be quite a tricky job if even they struggled with it! One thing to note, they told me not to open the replacement top for 30 days, because it needs time to stretch and break in just like a pair of new shoes.
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"This all started with a simple oil change..."
Last edited by tconnarn; 03-17-2014 at 12:20 PM.
Reason: i cant't spell to good
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03-17-2014, 06:15 PM
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: California
Posts: 466
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tconnarn
Someone cut my top open with a knife, so i took it to the dealer, and it was covered by my insurance claim, minus the deductible. the dealers cost for the aftermarket top (with glass,) and interior liner, and labor was over $5k. I had to go back repeatedly, i don't even want to say how many times i had to back there, but lets just say i got to know the service guys very well during the process. On one visit, i had to take home an overnight loaner. Seems like it must be quite a tricky job if even they struggled with it! One thing to note, they told me not to open the replacement top for 30 days, because it needs time to stretch and break in just like a pair of new shoes.
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Let me guess, they warranty their work for 30 days, lol.
I think the dealer made out like bandits if they convinced the insurer to pay over $5k. You can buy a new top with glass for just over $500. Someone is scamming insurer. I've heard that a car upholstery shop will charge approx $500 labor to install.
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"Blind acceptance is a sign, of stupid fools who stand in line."
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03-27-2014, 10:00 AM
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Tx
Posts: 259
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I want to personally thank mikefocke for the awesome DIY. My top turned out perfect. I'm guessing you saved me $1k. I owe ya one Mike!  The only issue I had was the double sided tape didn't work too well, but I used spray adhesive and it worked well. Here is what I installed...  Porsche 986 Boxster Convertible Top Black German A5 1997 2002 | eBay
:dance:
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Chris Dennis, Plano, Texas
'07 Boxster, arctic silver, Tiptronic, 106k miles, no mods
‘13 Boxster S, black on black, PDK, 27k miles, garage queen
‘66 Mooney M20E, hangar queen
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