😍😍😍👇👇👇 http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509400955.jpg
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NOICE! Congratz, JB!

1st task was:
DREMEL /cutting those little edges, otherwise the roof wouldn't sink into a proper position
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1491662869.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1491662883.jpg
It was even more, than the photos show. The paint shop fixed the holes in the fiberglas later on.

2nd task was:
carefully drilling the screw-holes open. I noticed, that all the screws would only go like half way in, and the seller gave me the advice to drill them open and NOT to use force screwing them in/through.

Thanks for the tips. I was going to ask you about things that you did and wished you didn't. I know it's not in the car but it seems to fit together nicely on the floor. Only fkaw I can fin is a small chip around the wiring hose.

I would say adjusting the hinges will be the biggest task.
You will see, that the right side hinge may collide with the inner rubber seal and that the screws in general won't always sit in a flush angle. So the work you will face is to correct that stuff and make it proper, what actually should have been done during the design and production phase.
But it is manageable...

chips....hmmm...the paint shop said, the primer was so bad, that the color would chip sooner rather than later...so I got the whole shebang sanded, properly primed and then painted. :D

Question, this is all that came with it in terms of a front latch. I'm guessing you hook it first then tighten the bolts?

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509450541.jpg

On the pic online at website it also shows this reinforcement?? below but it didn't come with the parts and isn't listed on the parts included list. I'm guessing they had a change in the parts needed after the pic was taken? Is this like your latch?

Opinions on what the second pic missing piece below is?
Thanks


http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509450762.jpg

Front latch looks the same, but those two side pieces are missing?
They might be the same as for the regular TOP/Hardtop (not sure though)
Take a look at my pic and see what is missing on your side.

Transfered from another thread:
Sure thing!!
The top comes with a 14 page installation manual, side and rear windows and parts.
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1487007983.jpg

Recommendation was: ALWAYS make sure, that the windshield-roof alignment is perfect throughout the whole adjustment process...so much for the very welcome tips of the seller.

What was missing in general:
hinges: Got a pair of new PORSCHE hinges
"Superglue": I used Liqui Moly 3805 & CSR-Automotive Elch Pro P1 1K-PU-GLUE ZB079 for the rubber seals (dunno what the pros where using for the side and back window).
cables: I got a pack of male/female connectors, to create plug'n'drive connections for the break light & heated rear window.
PLUS: I got the Porsche cable for the rear window OEM-hard top.

Ok Thanks. That's exactly what I received. I guess I expected a latch like the factory top has. One that snugs tight when latching like this. I guess since its not removed alot it doesn't matter? .http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509461120.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509461146.jpg

This piece is missing I thought but i dont see it in your pic either:http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509461302.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509461318.jpg

JB, look at my picture...left to the latch are 2 black pieces...those are the ones you need. BTW left and right side are not symmetrical. Funny that the website shows only one.
The 2 front latch screws are never touched anymore once installed, and the top screw NEEDS to be screwed in after putting the TOP on, so it does not pop off, I guess :D

Ok thanks. I've got those. I just wondered why that pictured piece was missing 🙂

Well I got it on but the top seems to be interfering with tge roof to keep it from seating. Did you have to trim the underside of the top or am Imissing something?http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509478299.jpghttp://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509478424.jpg

Just guessing, but BRAN showed above in a couple of pictures where he had to trim to get it to seat. No idea about interfering with the soft top.

Ya I know about those parts that need trimming but it seems to be resting on the soft top. I should get one side to slip into the slot but the top seems to be getting in the way :mad:

Yep, assuming that you trimmed those edges, the 3rd break light "should" be removed...AND it needs the spin locks to REALLY make it sink.
It is all very tight, but a piece of paper should always be used to check gaps, fitments to see if stuff is sitting on each other...should make horrible creak sounds later on otherwise ;)

Take your time and give the TOP some sink time, too :D
We're gonna be fine. :cheers:

Yep, I over reacted. It's the parts that need trimmed. Once i put the weight of the hatch, and it's not heavy it seem to rest against the ears that need trimmed. Did you trim your a little at a time? One side then the other back and forth until it went in? Mine doesn't look like it needs much trimmed to me.http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509481599.jpg

Yup, that's how it did it...i tried to keep a 4mm gap. Was careful first, but got confident pretty fast.

How's this,cover come off?http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509485755.jpg

Here are some pics of what ive found.
1. Oddly my top doesn't seem to need trimmed at all.
2. The only thing keeping my top from resting where it supposed to is its hitting the covt top.
3. Applying quite a bit of downward force only gets me 1/2 an inch from being flush.

After thinking about this I'm going to have to remove quite a bit of material from the underside of the top.
OR what if I just removed the convertible top and stored it for the winter? Not sure if it's true but I've done a search and several articles I've came up with day this is something that fairly easy to do.
Also I removed brake light and it made no difference.
Opinions?
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509544872.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509544892.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509544922.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509544976.jpg

I assume, that pre-FL and FL soft tops kind of fold into the same "volume", otherwise the clamshell would differ. So it should not make a difference for the hard top fitment.

Did you check, where the exactly the top sits on the soft top?
I had that impression, too... at first, but i proofed myself wrong.
I think, that the spot where the Top is sitting on (spin locks) needed to be reduced/trimmed to make the TOP sink to a "flush" state. I decided against doing that, as I don't want to weaken critical spots by reducing material.

You can ONLY get a REAL first impression on how the TOP sits, by installing the locks/latches and lock them in...you will see how MUCH that will sink the TOP. Additional the hatch puts a little weight on the back of the TOP as well.
All in all, my Top is not 100% flush, it sits ~5mm higher which is okay with me.
I trimmed my TOP sides, as I decided to keep the side covers where they are. That is what the manual says, as well as the seller and what some YouTube videos showed. It might work out for you to keep them untouched, you should try first.
Oh...and btw...that hard, plastic tube for the cables....THAT is useless and definitely conflicting with the soft top. I yanked it out...helped too, I think. ;)

The reason I removed the covers was I watched the video on the site that sells the top and he shows vaguely how the should go in. In the video he has the cover removed and I thought the black molding. He just had the covers off, Hus demo Boxster didn't have the molding painted black so I misunderstood. As for the top its definitely the problem. When I removed the top the primer was smashed into the top all the way across the highest edge. I put the lift gate on it and the top it preventing either side top slip into place. Even with alot of downward pressure it wasn't even close. As you can see in the pics it should fall into place without trimming because it is narrower than both of the metal ears. I'm not sure why my top is like new and hasn't ever been a problem. I'll try the spinlocks attached but they are pretty far forward of where the interference problems is. I dont mind taking the top off for I plan on leaving this top on for awhile.

Thanks for your help!

Oh, you are welcome! :cheers:

It fits alot better now but I believe the ears still need a slight trim. In the utube video it shows the ears acually sliding all the way into the slots. Not sure how much to trim. I'm going to install spin lock rods and the front tabs, maybe hinges tomorrow to see how that affects the fitment.

Learned how to remove a convertible top too. With alot of help.http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509595010.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509595034.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509595062.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509595090.jpg

☹🔫 :barf:http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509633663.jpg

ya...the tolerances...bad bad bad

:ah:

Just kidding, did you try the other one? That should fit.
(those are TOTALLY different in size/angle)

Oh ��
As you probably realized I not much the mechanic, never thought of that. No trimming yet.
Couple updates tho. Spinlocks enraged but bolts not tightened, no front inserts and hinges not bolted up yet, drivers side:
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509642324.jpg

Passenger side, bow in decklid ��

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509642426.jpg

Front wo tabs or rubber:
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509642478.jpg

☹ sadly the won't work no matter which way side they are on. Holes are the same distance apart. Wrong parts or sloppy QC. I tried everything this time. Suggestions? Try to wallow out each hole alitte to see if I can get them to work?http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509644322.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509644335.jpg

Interesting...mine don't look that symmetrical...i will check the measurements on them and report back. Are both off, actually?
I am sure a modification can be done, should not be a show stopper.

The ones off my convertible top bolt up perfectly. I'm nit sure they will work tho. Using them, with spinlocks engaged everything fits except windshield gap. Too far away to bolt on latch. Just by a bit.

you can bolt the latch on, right?

order to close:
1.) latch
2.) spinlocks

order to open:
1.) spinlocks
2.) latch

No I can't get the bolts in the latch if it in the slot or with bolted can't get latch in. That's both with spin locks unengaged. I haven't trim anything yet but I see nothing hitting to trim. Seems to fit fine. I've had it for today. I'll take some better pics and let you see what it looks like. Its odd it seemed to fit fine at all points until I put on the spinlocks.

Thanks for the help

Update. I removed all hardware. Spinlock brackets, brackets that fit into the windshield frame holes and put the top on and the inside bracket fit fine. I'm going to start trimming at the contact points shown by marks in the fiberglass a little at a time to see if that help. I believe it's not able to go forward enough when clamped down. 🙄

Got my feet wet today 🙄

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509744809.jpg

Another advice from the seller was:
the latch should be attached and locked (at least half way) when working on or trimming the TOP. It is important to keep the front gap evenly. some more old pics...
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1491662942.jpg
spacious...
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1491662962.jpg


BTW: Maybe you could try the OEM latch, see if that might do the trick. If it does...it might be a cool "upgrade" for the TOP. I do like the Z-TOP idea to secure even the lever with a screw, but the OEM one seems superior in looks and convenience.
JB, is there an item number somewhere visible? Might be only a couple bucks to buy a new one, just like the hinges.

I checked out the OEM latch on my convertible top and factory hardtop. but neither could be used to replace the supplied latch. The convertible latch is too big and uses 4 bolts, the factory hardtop latch would bolt right up but is to bulky to fit in the recessed area without some major surgery.

I'm going to get back at it Sunday Should be able to make some progress then.

Thanks

The puzzling part about this top🙄

Top resting in place no hardware. Nice fit all around.http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509802914.jpghttp://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509803014.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509803042.jpg


Then with front tabs and spinlock hardware installed and locked.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509803135.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509803162.jpg

Top shifts rearward (enough to chip my paint ☹ ) and the front shifts away and up in the front. Any ideas would be appreciated. My brain is foggy.

ALL 3 locks NEED to be in place and locked. ONLY then you will see the real fitment/gaps.
And I noticed, that locking in a certain order is extremely helpful to overcome (medium-major) locking tensions.

Atm, as far as I understand, you are locking either/or.
Only spinlocks...will pull it backwards
Only front latch...will pull it forward
That is normal, mine does that, too. Not a biggy.

So what about the front latch? It bolts in, but you cannot lock it, even without the spinlocks attached? I don't get the right picture here.:confused:

some pics...
tab right (plastic, ~4,6cm mid-mid screw)
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509805014.jpg
tab left (plastic, ~4,9cm mid-mid screw)
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02/left1509805117.jpg
latch (Aluminium)
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509805187.jpg
FYI: Z-TOP manual mentions, that the OEM front center latch can be used - part number is:
99656340100
It is quite costly, brand new: ~250-300€

The tabs that came with top wont work. Holes 2" center, tabs they sent 1 1/2"center. Factory tabs bolt up but are too thick/long latch wont reach. Dealer is going to find me correct tabs on Monday hopefully. He says they are no longer side specific though.

With out inserts, latched. Your right on target Bran fits perfectly now. I believe with the correct inserts its going to be fine. You told me this but I forgot. Next time Ill listen better. ;)


http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509810630.jpg
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http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1509810674.jpg:dance::dance::dance:

Ahh...glad to hear it worked, JB.
:cheers:

My Boxster passed TÜV, no complaints...picture perfect...and good to go for another 2 years.
Was a little worried about my retro 911 bumper mods...:D
Now i can put the Z-Top back on again, to finally adjust the hatch and side windows :D

I just realized i shouldn't hog your thread.