Side Skirts Installation

I recently bought a pair of MK1 side skirts that came off another 996. The skirts came with the metal strips that screw into the rocker. I know the later versions of these side skirts are attached using double sided 3M tape instead of the metal strips. Has anyone had any experience attaching MK1 skirts with 3M tape instead of screwing the metal strips into the rocker? Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Hey @Taus82 , my skirts are held on at the "front" near the front wheel well, and the "back" near the rear wheel well by screws, then the middle section is the section that I have secured with tape. The tape is really more to give it that snug, seamless looking fit. I wouldn't trust only 3M tape, no matter what the strength. This is especially because I live in a warm climate that likes to test glue heat cycles. I have had my car just shy of 5 years and I've already had to refresh my tape job once.

I added Porsche 996.2 sideskirts to mine. They only use 3M tape at the top. I was expecting them to mount like the 996.1. I was pleasantly surprised.

This video shows the process pretty well. Screws in the wheel arches, screws into clips attached to the pinch weld along the bottom edge, 3M tape along the top edge. You Tube I just did this on my car and it's quite easy, the sills install really nicely. Tighten all the screws finger-tight so you can adjust the fit of the upper edge to line up perfectly, then you don't have to manipulate anything as you pull out the tape backing and press it perfectly in place. Then go back and hand-tighten all the screws.

Great DIY video thanks for posting Rich

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I'm aware of the screws in the front and back wheel wells. My question was more about the middle. The MK1 skirts were designed to slip into the metal strip. I really don't want to screw them into my car so was just wondering if anyone had any experience in using the tape instead of the metal strip. I guess there's only one way to find out! Thanks again.

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Get those metal "clips" that go on the bottom pinch weld (the guy talks about them in the video - Auto Atlanta has them in stock - except I just bought 18 so maybe not...? ). I'm not sure about the "metal strip" you're talking about, but the clips seem to be essential - I wouldn't be screwing into the bottom of the rocker panel, and I don't think the tape alone will hold for very long.

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I've got 996.1 side skirts on my 996.2 from the factory. If it ever stops raining here I'll get under and look how they are mounted.

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I wouldn't screw into the car's rocker panel either. You're asking for rust. It you look at the parts diagram, Porsche eliminated that part on the Mk2 sill covers. But don't avoid those 18 U clamps that mount on the pinch weld. Those are vital.

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Sorry if has been covered elsewhere but I couldn't find a solid answer so wondering how different they are from each other and if one is any better or worse in terms of fit or mounting. At suncoast its a $200 difference between the 2 So is this the only difference between the 2 skirts, how they are mounted? So they are both interchangeable between both gens? Meaning either skirts will fit either gen 996?

Correct, they mount up, but the lines only work well for the right generation. Some like my 2002, 996.2 got dealer installed 996.1 side skirts, and they fit, but the curvy lines on the early skirts look a little bit weird with the more angular lines on the front and rear bumpers, if you look closely.

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Ok I think I understand better now. Looking at several pictures in other threads I can see the difference in the smooth mk1 body line over the sharp body line of the mk2 skirts. So with what I've learned would it be correct to say the following about the pictures below The cab has mk2 skirts and the coupe has mk1 Or am I just completely wrong

^^^ Cab/Coupe ^^^ that would be correct - they both mount the same way AFAIK (except it seems they did away with the metal strip for the MK II which probably means it's not essential on the MK I either). 3M tape along the top edge, u-clamps with screws along the bottom pinch weld.

The coupe is 996.1 side skirts, and I don't see a cab. Oops, had to click the link - yes, the cab has 996.2 side skirts (plus a weird aftermarket front bumper and a C4S rear bumper).

Awesome thanks guys. Now the real question, do I order them from suncoast now or wait until the Hershey swap meet in April and hope to find a set there? hmmm

I believe there are several 996 side skirts listed on eBay now. It wouldn't hurt to check them out.

There's one OEM set in horrible shape that the guy is asking $800 for...

I got a great deal on my 996.2 side skirts from Sunset Porsche during Black Friday 2018.

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Yea, that's horribly over priced for used ones. OP, you can buy a complete set of Genuine OEM Porsche 996.2 side skirts from Suncoast Porsche with hardware included for $775.00. https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/00004480215.html

I think OP already has a set of MK1 skirts, he was just looking for advice on install. I saw the oem set on ebay and laughed. Too bad the 996.1 skirts aren't priced the same, I think the 996.2 skirts would look weird on my mk1

The silver coupe above has mk1 sideskirts and mk2 rear bumper...I have done the same and think it looks perfect. The mk1 bumper is too plain for me while mk2 rear bumper flows nicely the with rear mk1 sideskirts lines. My son is buying a 911 soon and I already have sourced the sideskirts but need hardware...does anyone have the link to buy those?

This is where I got my complete replacements(albeit for a C4 which is in a different section) http://www.autoatlanta.com/porsche-parts/hardparts.php?dir=996-99-05�ion=810-05

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Do you still have the video by chance?

I'll be installing my skirts soon hopefully. I will try to document the install and report back. Car needs a full respray though so the skirts won't get installed until after that.

How do you remove the 996.1 sill from the retaining strip. I can't seem to get mine off the retaining strip at all - how to they attach to the strip?

Some (early) cars had a retaining strip at the top. Like a french cleat. Once everything else is off, try prying upwards to release from the top clip. See attached TSB.

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Thanks, I've got a copy of that and struggle to fully understand the process. For example, the dry fit stage says "Carefully drive the side member panel into the retaining strip, carefully striking it using a plastic hammer and hardwood wedge if necessary". Why does it need driving in with a hammer and then also needs adhesive? I can hinge the sill upwards along its length by about 35 degrees before it feels like it's run out of flex and any more will crack or break it. I've scoured the internet looking for images of the retaining strip either as a loose part or fitted to the car, but amazingly, there are none that I can find other than generic low resolution imaged that just appear to show a flat aluminium strip with countersunk holes drilled in. Nothing on Youtube either. Really strange.