New Steering Wheel

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okay man, you win. This black on red is absolutely beautiful.

On top of the Swheel, the ring strip, it needs painting (dying) red ;)

I agree. I tried to get the manufacture to add some "Boxster Red" accents on the wheel....but he gave me the "thumbs down". Said all black was all they produced. I have since seen a couple other listings on eBay with colored accents...guess I missed out.

ledermanz | eBay

Retro bumper trim...still WIP...what a PITA it is to get the curves right, as there are only 10 screws, which are "integrated" into fixed spots on the 911 bumper trim...the Boxster would actually need 12 screws to adapt to the curvy 986 lines. I had to create aluminium inner counterparts, to be able to attach it without stressing the flexible PU 986 bumper cover too much...not 100% perfect, but I am okay with the result. Learned a lot again, I think i can change the front bumper on my head now :D
The back bumper trim & parking sensors will be a lot easier to install, hopefully. :rolleyes:
Now I just need to get a Duraflex 986 spoiler lip somehow and the retro front bumper project is done.
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a tiny little mod... brushed alu trim rings...look'n'feel is better than of the plastic silver ones imo.
First, sanded down the plastic trim rings, 2-3mm, then cut and shaped a 2mm alu layer, bent it, "brushed" it with a dremel, and "glued" it on top of the original ones. Perfect fit, perfect feel. :cheers:
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More "alloy" details --> clock and trip knobs
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...and "aluminium" pedals with gauge dial "neon orange" painted (still WIP) screws: Color matching is most important
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don't drill where the screw is missing on the gas pedal or it will come loose :D

as the original GT3 red "PORSCHE" decal / side stripe costs ~300$...i thought I give a 5$ red paint marker at least a try :D

WIP: back side retro bumper trims + backup & blind spot sensors installation. Sooo much easier to install this time, compared to the front.
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Super convenient cable ducts on each side :D

et voila...retro bumper "chrome" trim installed.
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...just one more thing missing for the final retro look ... chrome pipes PSE
...and just for the heck of it...that would be a nice spoiler reflector mod :D
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For some reason I really like this picture.
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Seal gray loves amber...
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...in small dosages :D
or how about weathered "GULF amber"?
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Polished Trim rings (credits to Chuck :cheers:)
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almost no glare despite all the seal grey surrounding the gauges...sooooo old school, love it! :D

step by step...first piece is back from the paintshop...now I just need to do the brand new Porsche: hinges, lock & emblems,
and the 3rd brake light
and then that part is done...:cheers:
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the Top (white part reflecting) is next...

Sunny weekend...preparing the next steps...taking off one piece...
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to test fit another one...
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so far it looks promising, the fitting upfront is perfect...the sides need a little trimming to sink the roof into the spin locks

Nice BRAN, I'm looking forward to your results :cheers:

Yeah, me too :cheers:

I tell you what, seeing the TOP in person on the Boxster really amazes me.
It is quite flat/low! Some pics on the web made it look like a blowfish...not the case at all. :cool:
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It will be at least 3-4 inches lower still

Need to prepare for summer...hmmm...something like a forum member shirt?
Seal Gray 986 looks good... ;)
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some impressions...
1st, some work for the DREMEL (those little edges are too much...the roof cannot sink into a proper position)
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spacious...
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the TOP slowly starts to sink after adjusting/cutting/sanding/test-fitting the TOP over and over again...
you cannot really rely on measuring one side to copy it over to the other side due to the tolerances of the TOP/Car...
Prepare to have a helper handy...lifting the TOP a couple of times :D
Oh...and I forgot to mention that all the holes for the screws need to be drilled through for the screws to fit all the way :rolleyes:
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slowly getting there.

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My happy place.

I believe it :cheers:

The TOP sank into a proper position, with a max of 1mm height difference. The weight of the trunk lid will take care of that ;)
Adjustments are basically done, now it needs sanding touch ups.
While adjusting the side locks, I locked them in first, let the roof loosely sit on in, and slowly tightening the screws and let the TOP&locks "adept" to each others form.
After doing that, the TOP slowly sank into the proper position with proper gaps. I made sure, that all the time the front gap was at a max of 5-6mm (semi locked center lock helps).
It is basically ready to see the paint shop. They will still have a lot to do with sanding/primer/filling the cut out holes... to get it to a "factory" finish, especially with GFK. Side windows, rubber seals etc. will be done by them as well, as they are the Pros, not me.
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Foto shows the "unlocked" side locks. That's why the TOP is sitting higher.

Thought I'd join in from the Emerald Isle.
Seal grey, dark navy leather and dark navy top.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

oh...rare combo, very nice
welcome & sláinte :cheers:

...the gaps are absolutely okay for my taste, will see how the trunk lid works out later
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Alright...so there still is detail work to do, before bringing it to the paint shop!
I noticed, that the side windows lift the roof when fully closed, just 1mm but noticeable, on both sides without the rubber seal. Sanding might do the trick.
I loosely put the trunk lid into place to see if the weight pushes the TOP a little more down.
Left side yes...with sanding and adjustments i might get a properly leveled gap.
Right side NOPE. It still sits 2mm too high, so the gap is not properly leveled. Anyone ran into the same problem while installing the Z-Top? Hints are welcome
If I can't fix it, I gonna let the paint/body shop guys try their luck :rolleyes:
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It starts to shape up :cheers:

LOL...the paint shop guys keep any kind of "body work" besides the paint job on a long arm away from them. They are not even "touching" the rubber sealing. I guess they really don't like to work with fiberglass. Even the paint job sounds like a very special and long procedure :D

LOL...they are not impressed by the used primer, as it chips off too easily and will cause more problems than joy later on, so I decided to get it properly re-done by them. ;)
I hope to have it ready before winter :D

an outlaw barn find? :eek:
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yeah...that one needs a lot of work...but should be ready before winter ;)
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The top looks great Bran! :cheers:

Thanks, Bruce!

Well, as picky as the paint-shop guys were with the cheap Chinese primer, they delivered an excellent result. Too bad, that they did not want do the rubber sealings.

Next to-dos:

- glue the sealings (front, sides, back). Any tips&tricks, what glue to use are welcome!

- wirings (i got oem parts/connectors, which are not included in the z-top package, only electrical stuff was a 5$ brake light :rolleyes:) I'll post later, which part numbers to get
If I would be the manufacturer, I would only offer a complete package including OEM stuff...saves you time, money & nerves...and it is only a few $ more. Sometimes I don't understand people's business models.

- trunk lid adjustments & installation, probably the most difficult part, will see...

Out and about this morning

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Seems that installing the rubber sealings is not an easy walk in the park.
Top is lifted by the side windows (when closed) with sealings attached...~3mm.
--> solution: Torx screws to adjust height and angle, accessed through two holes at the bottom of the door. I won't touch the angle, but height only. Something, which is nowhere mentioned in the installation manual :rolleyes:
The Bentley manual describes it nicely!
Lower part of the side windows barely touch the sealings (--> gap), probably need to build up 5mm on the side arches.
--> will see how that goes :rolleyes:
Finding a proper glue was not a simple task
--> I got TEROSON 444651 Kontaktkleber

So...I am still fighting with the TOP :matchup:
Why easy, when you can have it the hard way...:rolleyes:
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Someone was suggesting that Seal Grey looks great in low light and there should be more night pics in here.

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not sure, if i want to start another project (short shifter) before this arrives...

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Just installed...on a rainy sunday :cool:
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took my sticky old rubber one to a saddler...finest OEM leather quality, just like the OEM crested arm rest. What a difference...

Genius [emoji106]

...and another project done: :cheers:
Blindspot detection sensors + interior LEDs integration
The outline of the milky plastic-glas is defined by the interior cover piece setup, which holds it in place.
Nice amber led light, noticeable, but not "in your eye".
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Hatch attached, but has to be adjusted carefully...what a PITA
Tip for others: Hinges should be installed as low as possible...and should be in the most backward pointing position possible.
BUT the U-Profile to lock the hatch should be in the most inwards/forward pointing position possible.
My hatch needs to move a good cm backwards to close and lock.
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