Convertible Top Replacement - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

I need to replace the top on my 1997 Boxster. It had a plastic window which has cracked and faded. I have found a replacement top with glass window including frame in a salvage yard that was a replacement on a 1999 model. The salvaged one has a glass window. I have read some threads that indicate the glass window replacement will require modification of the top transmission for tight fitment. The salvage yard assures me all I need to do is take out three bolts on both sides, lift the old one off and bolt in the salvage frame and top with glass window. I had converted the old top to manual operation due to needing to do "the Boxster chop" anyway. Am thinking about trying to go back to automatic operation with the replacement top. The salvage yard is asking $1200. Any thoughts or advice from forum members with experience in doing this will be appreciated.

I replaced the original top (plastic window) with an aftermarket top with glass window on my 01 S. I replaced only the top, not the top and frame. There was no need to modify anything to get a good fit. The fit is exactly the same. The only caveat is that you lose a bit of underhood access when retrofitting a glass window top. It's not a major problem, but you won't get quite as much space for access.

Thanks for the assurances exiledrebel, I hear you.....get the new top on before I draw any conclusions about the automatic operation. I have determined, by reading this forum, that on my 1997 Boxster there is a micro switch behind the B pillar that reverses the clamshell motor when the top is fully up so that will likely solve the mystery of the over stressing of the clamshell when operated with the top off. Early on my journey to get it powered again. Dealership was looking to charge me around $10,000 including a visit to the body shop to "scan" the body to ensure dimension between top transmissions was "to spec". That would have been about twice what the car is likely worth. The journey continues....

I've read so many DIY Boxster replacement "stories" that a few years ago, when I wanted to replace mine (and with the glass rear window) I visited a few auto interior shops to see their work and chat. It was well worth the experience. I went with the shop that had the most experience with Boxster tops.....all in it was about $1,100, done in ONE day and looks and works perfectly. Afterwards I was glad to NOT have attempted myself. My Boxster is 25 years old (98') which means the gears, cables, micro switches, and all the other parts are 25 years old too......so, for me, better to let an experienced professional do the job and just pay for it.

To replace the fabric cover and the attached rear window, either plastic or glass, does not involve messing with the drive system, it’s micro switches, etc. Although, yes, it only involves three bolts on each side to remove the top frame from the car, the top frame is so hard to handle on a workbench that it is easier to leave it on the car. Most of the work replacing the fabric is easiest to do with the top in service position. Like anything, speed comes with practice. My first top replacement took a week, but now it only takes all day. A commercial top shop well familiar with Boxsters certainly could do a top replacement in one working day, and $1100 parts plus labor is not a bad deal. One of my Boxsters had a glass window top when I got it. The glass window, inflexible, must be fairly narrow so as to fit behind the optional rear speaker box; also as a result there is severe flexure required at the top edge of the window, leading to early failure of the stitching there. For that reason I have since opted for plastic window tops. Rearward visibility is much better with plastic windows than with glass because of their larger area.

I agree that the after market tops have glass windows which are smaller than the top with the plastic windows. In my case, I seldom if ever drive my "summer ride" with the top up. 99% of the time, the top is down unless I get caught in rain or until I drive to its winter indoor heated storage. I always store it with the top up.

Rob175, I have a 2002 Boxster which needs a rear window replacement. I also live in the north suburbs of Chicago. Can you share the name of the repair shop that did your repair? It sounded like it was a good experience. Jeff

riemerj ..... I just sent you a PM (private message) R

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What's the secret? Share, Bro. Share.

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^ this is correct, but don't forget to remove the microswitch from the convertible frame (or disconnect it).

I will add for those that find this thread later, I did NOT find the glass window worth the extra money when I replaced my top. I should have stuck with plastic window.

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This is valuable feedback. I’m debating what to do for my top and aside from the visibility trade offs am also concerned about the service position issues. I realize people have adapted to these limitations.

A glass back window would be a nice mod... if it were the same size as the plastic window. To my eye the glass window's smaller size makes the top seem out of proportion. On the other hand, I like the stock Turbo Twist wheels and I don't mind the "fried egg" headlights, so it's all a matter of taste.

For me, glass was a deciding factor from the start. Knowing that they were different, I sat in (didn’t drive) on with a plastic window and then got up, walled across the used car lot lot at the old Paul Miller facility, and sat in one with a glass window. My conclusion was that both of them were problematic when compared to the Saab 900T I’d been driving, and so would require some getting used to. Given that, choosing glass over plastic was easy and worth the price premium (this was in 2006). My $0.02…

Consider this too.....the glass window has "defroster wires" in it. My base model 98' was built with the electrical connections on the rear deck and a defroster switch on the dash panel. I'm assuming that since my 98 is a base model other models and years are the same. Really convenient to have a defroster when needed. btw....my mechanic doesn't have a problem accessing the top of my engine with the glass window top installed.

Do not pay $1200 for that. I paid $400 for a top and frame from a 2003 or 4 model year with the larger window so there are definitely ones to be had for cheaper. Edit: just realized I replied to a 2 year old post, sorry lol

Obviously buying a 20 year old cloth top will save you money, compared to the price of a new cloth top . But ,for me, my 22 year old cloth top w/plastic window NEEDED to be replaced and I wasn't going to replace it with another OLD cloth top no matter what I might be able to save......LOL

Good point, but the post I was (mistakenly) replying to was already going to buy a used top for triple the price I paid for it. Either way my used glass top cleaned up pretty nicely and the fabric quality is nicer than my ~5 year old plastic window top the PO replaced it with, which was already decent quality anyway. Plus it had a fully intact headliner which my previous top also didn't have.

I realized this is an old thread that has recently been active......The top with plastic window on my 1997 needs to be replaced. Am looking for sources of both new and used replacement tops with a glass window. One of the authors in this thread mentioned getting a top from a 2003? Does that work? Any mods to make it work or 'drop in' so to speak. Is the top replacement a task a shade tree mechanic can do? Thanks

WillyT, to be clear, there are two types of glass window conversions available for pre-2003 boxsters: buy a fabric top with a small glass window instead of the larger plastic window, or buy a top frame from a 2003-2004 boxster that incorporates a larger glass window. Mine came with plastic and it was the first thing to wear our. I have replaced the top a couple of times with the smaller glass. I don't really have a problem with the reduced viz but that may be a factor for you. It also lessens the space you have for engine service but I have not found that to be a game changer either. I would never go back to plastic. If you are reasonbly patient and have basic mechanical aptitude, you could change your top in a weekend. Good, thorough instructions abound. If you can find a 2003-2004 frame with a good top, the swap is not difficult and easier than replacing just the fabric, though I have not done this swap. I would consider this myself for my next top replacement but the frames are hard to find.