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YOUR RESEARCHHardtop for a cabrio
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Install $150 electric winch
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Installed a $150 electric winch from HF, and it has made the install/removal process a one man show.
Leading evidence: 'Install $150 electric winch' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check defroster' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Mine was the same when I bought it - used Gummi Pflege on the rubber multiple times on both the hard top seals and any rubber on the car that touches the hardtop.
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No leaks on mine unless I use a high pressure water spray when washing then you get some water dripping in.
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Mine was the same when I bought it - used Gummi Pflege on the rubber multiple times on both the hard top seals and any rubber on the car that touches the hardtop.
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Suggestion
One of the things I was looking for when I was shopping for my 996 cab was a car that had the hard top included, - well the reality with my 2000 996 cab is that the hard top really sucks - it leaks really badly and it squeaks every time that I go over any rough patch or bump - my soft top does not leak or make any noise at all so I have stopped using the hard top,
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I hadn't thought much about a hardtop as I have only had the car for 6 months. But I am thinking now with winter coming, it might be a good idea.
Can anyone with experience give me some feedback about doing it? Is it easy to put on (with the proper tool)? Would you do it again?
If you can find one locally they are nice to have, mine came with one which was a nice bonus. It is relatively straight forward but it is a bit awkward as space in the rear is tight. There are two caps on either side of the rear seats that pop off and have allen bolts in them. They will lock and unlock the rear mounting points and then there is the front lock in the rearview mirror area. You will need two people to remove it as it is a bit heavy and awkward. My wife and I can do it and she weighs 110 pounds but we are young. You can get a cheap hardtop dolly off ebay for $100 bucks to store it on.
So you just leave the soft top in the down position with no other modifications?
Is there a safety switch or something that disables the cabrio top when the hard top is on?
Is the headroom the same?
Sorry for all the questions but one just popped up in a search and it is fairly cheap at $700. Came off the same year / model / color as my car.
Here is a video for you
You Tube
I am average height 5'8 so I have no problems not sure about it for taller folks. As for safety, I am not sure, the locks are pretty tight, I am not sure if there is a lockout mechanism or not but I haven't had any issues that would make me push the top button with the hardtop on.
Again sorry for all the questions but I am pretty excited, but cautious. These should be my last questions:
* I am 6"3 and I just barely hit my head getting in with the Cario roof up. I just want to make sure it's not any worse with the hardtop.
* I thought the rear windows stayed locked down when the top was down? Obviously that would be a problem for a hard top so I assume there is some other mechanism to let it know it's OK to let them go up
Disregard below if you have already looked into it:
* confirm your car already has mounting hardware installed and
* verify what style/type you have (i.e. bayonet or screw)
* ensure hardtop you are buying has "matching" hardware for your car
* function check the defroster on hardtop before you pay/drive away
* there are miscellaneous "bits" that are NICE to have, look here for photos:
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...-question.html
Good post, I think the early cars came with a matching hardtop but the later ones it was an option. I am not sure how far into North Jersey you are but you are welcome to come to sit in mine if you want to help put the hardtop on. I am guessing you are probably 1-.1.5 hours from me.
Well I decided to go for it, even without checking all the items listed by Kromdom. For $600 I couldn't go wrong, even if it doesn't work and I have to resell it:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hard-Top-fo...kAAOSwY7ZdTNsI
It's also in my color and was on the same exact model / year.
Hey Tom, first, congrats on your purchase! I just picked up a hardtop for mine last weekend. Super easy to install. The factory tool is just a long handled 6mm allen wrench essentially. I don't have the factory one but a ratchet and 6mm hex socket worked fine. You will notice it is a bit quieter in the car, and headroom is actually improved, as the hardtop arcs up more. I am looking forward to it for DE events as I am crammed with helmet on.
As others have said, retract the roof as normal. Pop off the little round plastic cap next to where the roll bars deploy behind rear seats. Lift the roof into place, first fitting the front tongues into the slots on either side of the windshield frame, then lower the back down so the pins drop into the holes where you removed the covers. Take your hex key and turn the two rear pins till they click into place....about 3/8 of a turn as I remember. Then go to the front and pull the front locking clamp into locked position. You will have to raise the side windows normally as they wont automatically be up. Easy, peezy.
No, sorry Tom, I wasn't clear. What you should see in the holes is the receiver (like mechanical hole a pin would go into). The hex part is on the roof and rotates a pin with two little ears at the end that goes into the receiver in car, it rotates to lock the ears into the receiver.
The one on the right is likely what you have if your car is a 996. “C” is the roof part that you rotate with the hex socket, “D” is the receiver on the car under the little circular covers.
I'll echo JTT's comments. My car came with a hardtop. You'll appreciate it during the winter months.
The tool is shown below - far left (still on the tool roll). As noted, a 6mm allen tool can be adapted to work.
Get ready to spend some significant amounts to get the parts your need. I am not sure if Porsche still sells the old style hardware.
Here are links for the mounts but I think they are the new style.
https://www.sonnenporscheoemparts.co...MtNGwtaDYtZ2Fz
https://www.sonnenporscheoemparts.co...MtNGwtaDYtZ2Fz
Here is a eBay listing for the old style mounts.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Por...IAAOSwX6VdAtpI
And here is the upgrade kit for the new style mounts, OUCH! I remember when you could by this kit for only a couple of hundred dollars. I was always think of upgrading my mount, but not any more,.
Good Luck.
https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/PK997HTM.html
Yes, you do not need the tool, just an allen key will work. That is a good pick up, finding one local that already matches your car makes life a lot easier. Always a nice bonus to have if you sell the car as well.
So, here is what my access hole looks like:
Apparently it should look like this (from the car that the top is coming from):
Either way, looks like I would need to buy a mounting kit.
Can anyone tell from the picture if it is the threaded or bayonet style?
Further to that, any suggestions besides spending $1,000 at Suncoast? i.e. maybe there is a list of part numbers I could get. Perhaps I might be able to find a salvage yard with the parts...
Bummer all round...
This is what mine looks like. 2001.
C/D match with what I have and what Tom needs. Didn't Dharn find a place with those parts for $399? Not cheap - but you've got nothing without the receiving end.
This is where they are:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Por...4/183847203123
Would this be all that I need (excluding mounting bolts)? If so, I could deal with that, considering the top was only $600 .. and the color is correct already.
This is the new style bayonet?
There are also these. They look the same but have a .01 instead of a .00 at the end of their part numbers:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1999-2010-P...6/153516618512
and
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1999-2010-P...6/163722727529
Same overall price but these may be newer?
Parts in the last 2 links look like the same part but you reference old and new. I was under the impression that the difference between old and new was threaded versus bayonet?
These are even less expensive but I hesitate based on old versus new definition:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/02-Carrera-...1/303223495689
One of the things I was looking for when I was shopping for my 996 cab was a car that had the hard top included, - well the reality with my 2000 996 cab is that the hard top really sucks - it leaks really badly and it squeaks every time that I go over any rough patch or bump - my soft top does not leak or make any noise at all so I have stopped using the hard top,
I have tried using dry lubricants on the rubber surfaces to eliminate the squeak's but nothing has worked
I dealt with all of this when i purchased my car last year. There are 2 different version. The Bayonet is the first version. It just turns and locks - very simple. However tons of people complained when the cars were new about noises. Porsche then redesigned it to the second "Screw" type that you tighten to a torque spec. Most 996's were installed with the bayonet style. The one picture you show above from the donor car is the older bayonet style. The ebay listing from your post above is from the same company i purchased mine from. They know there stuff and are easy to deal with.
Click the make offer button. They will accept ANY offer you send. I got mine for like $100.00 from them
. They even were cool enough to send the mounting bolts with it. Install took me less than 15 to 20 mins.
I believe the ones in the above ebay listing are the exact ones you need. Looks like they even have the bolts in them for mounting. And yes there is a protection feature to prevent the soft top from being able to operate. The 2 wire cable you see in the photo serves 2 purposes. 1 is for the defroster in the back window of the hardtop. The other is when its hooked up the car understands it and locks out the button on the dash from working the soft top and windows.
Mine was the same when I bought it - used Gummi Pflege on the rubber multiple times on both the hard top seals and any rubber on the car that touches the hardtop. Windshield header, rear areas. It made a huge difference - the top still groans when driving on a really rough road, but on normal roads it is much improved. Really surprising how quiet it makes the car - I enjoy driving mine now with the hardtop installed. But it may take several applications of the Gummi Pflege before the squeaking goes away.
Daryll
The bayonet stye are what my 2000 came with from the factory. The screw type is the newer style. Somewhere about 2001 or 2002 they made the hardtop an option, in earlier years the hardtop was standard and delete was an option. I use my hardtop every winter. I have never had a leak in 19 years but it does squeak a lot. I use a lubricant on the seals which helps some. As I said before I was always going to upgrade to the newer/screw type mounts when it was only a couple of hundred to do so, but at $999 no way. Maybe I should try a wrecker that has a newer cab with the hardtop.
Great advice. I'll definitely make an offer and see what happens.
As for the squeaking, everything on my car squeaks. My indy actually laughed at me when I asked if he could fix it.
But now, I don't even hear it anymore!
BTW - Do you have instructions on how to install?
Its been a year so i cant find the site i found that had a great DIY.
Here
is the one i just found. Its for a 997 but it is exactly the same setup. It really is simple. Just be carefull because all the crap for the soft top is all plastic and old. Be gentle.
My cars noise is exactly the same with the soft top vs hardtop when it comes to squeaks or rattles. But road noise is night and day difference. Neither my hartop nor soft top leak water. Once in a blue moon the hartop will drip once or twice where the top meets the windsheild and door glass. But thats rare. The only complaint i have is the backglass is the biggest pain in the butt due to the built in package tray. Drives me nuts.
I found a used hardtop locally on CL . Guy had it in the basement. I offered $200 He took it. I guess it was sitting down there for many years. It was his girlfriend's car and they forgot the hardtop when she sold it. Luckily I had all the hardware on the car and I just put it on! I know I know I got really lucky with the find but he was asking a $1000 and I just lowballed.
I have one and believe it or not have had it on continuously for about 18 months now. Funny thing is I have a hoist where taking it on/off takes seconds and I can do it by myself. I just don't put the top down that often anymore.
It does squeak when pulling out of the driveway where the road dips but other than that is quieter than without it.
No leaks on mine unless I use a high pressure water spray when washing then you get some water dripping in. But in regular rainstorms I see nothing.
I picked mine up in Montreal, installed it and drove back to NS...1200 kms, through rain, brutal Quebec roads and wind. No leaks, barely a squeak (only on worst of bumps) and definitely quieter.
Are automated car washes ok with the hard top on? I know with the soft top on, it is not recommended.
I wouldn't do it regularly but for just the winter time.
Tom,
I ran my hard top equipped C2 through a car wash a few times during winter driving. No problems with the car or hard top. However I found out that many of the car washes really scrape up the inside edge of the driven rim. I had winter tires mounted on some beat up rims so I wasn't very upset about it.
If anyone knows where we can get those little round plastic plugs for the hole, please pass on. Somehow I lost one of them and it's such a piddly little piece to find anywhere.
Our hardtop looks great, has a perfect liner and one tiny nick on the surface, is a little lighter in color than the body I presume due to less sun exposure, and it rattles and groans and needs the rubber strip or lubricant. I dream of changing car's color to Zanzibar Red, and if we do that will have to sell mint hardtop.
Tom,
Where in northern NJ? We just had a CC meet in Chester where two 2004 cabs showed up. One with hardtop delete and one with the mounts. you could have eyeballed both.
Frank
I have one from a 2001 with bayonet style hardware. Its Arctic silver and has a few flaws but works well. I don't need it as my new 911 came with one. Pm me if interested I'm in VA.
Got my mounts for $225 and put them in today. A little PIA as the top wouldn't stay half open. It kept falling down, almost pinching my hand a few times.
Anyway, picking up the hard top tomorrow. Supposed to be in pristine condition (might make the rest of the car look bad...lol).
Well I just got back from Brooklyn, picking up my hard top. Seller never drove his car in the snow so he figured he didn't need it.
Well, all I can say is WOW!!
* Not a single squeak or moan driving home. My convertible is squeaking and making noise all the time.
* Easy on / off
* MUCH quieter on the roadway. Unless you have driven a cabriolet, you just can't appreciate how quiet your car is.
* Way more headroom then with the soft top on. Soft top down .. well .. you know
* Seller was surprised how good it looked and almost had sellers remorse.
* I highly recommend for any of the above reasons
Just wait for the winter. My car is a year round daily driver. A little rough around the edges but its bones are solid, especially with the IMS Solution, new RMS and new AOS.
Only problem now is I can hear the front suspension squeaks, usually drowned out by the cabrio squeaks. lol
Well, now, you will have the quiet hardtop and you'll hear the suspension even more.
Your plan to go with 18" wheels for your "winter" tires is, in my opinion, better than the 19s you have on now. Your suspension has been abused a bit more with the smaller sidewall of the tires. You may end up keeping the 18s on year round. My set is also Continental. I have no plans to use them in the snow - though they did get me home the night I bought the car; in a snowstorm.
Love the look of the 19s (fat rear end on a 4S with 305s...ahhh) but they are a problem for finding snow tires. Especially when the rears are 11.5 wide!!
And to boot, the original tires were mis-sized, setting off my PSM warning lights and possibly frying my viscous clutch .. I hope not but I will find out this winter with my proper 18s.
But this is a Cabrio > Hard Top thread. So glad I got mine.
Even though I don't have the car anymore... I agree, the hardtop transforms a Cabrio into a coupe. I also like how much visibility you gain out of the rear window.
Yes - I've been following. It came together quickly and seems to be fairly well sorted, already.
But you brought up the suspension noise... :
Wait. Did I just paraphrase this?
