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YOUR RESEARCHdetachable hardtop query
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Check mounts
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Sounds like you already checked the mounts on the top and bought the correct/matching hardware for your car.
Leading evidence: 'Check mounts' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check mounts' (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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Suggestion
You could use the hardtop without them, but it would be pretty ugly.
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Suggestion
You use your round caps on these to cover the access for the wrench which is only a allen fitting.
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Just purchased an '04 Carrera cabriolet hardtop delete, my first Porsche-ah (am retraining my pronunciation), as a 70th birthday present to myself. Since it lacks a hardtop, I want one. Just acquired ownership of one, also from an '04, from eBay. Received a set of the car body female anchor hardware by UPS today. The top is in another state. I've a trucker buddy who makes runs down there (Miami) and can pick the hardtop up. However, I wouldn't mind the drive this time of year. Question: would this otherwise sound hardtop be a snap-on fit such that there would be little risk in driving my Porsche-ah down and bringing the top back affixed to the car? I'm moderately clever in some things. Mechanics isn't one of them. Thanks! Dave Fox, North Carolina
You need to make sure your car has the two anchor receptacles installed and your front latching mechanism is in place at the top of the windshield, you will also need the proper Allen key wrench to lock down the two rear anchor pins once the hard top is in place.
Yes it should be little risk, however you may not want to take the chance something goes awry when you try to fit the sight-unseen hard top, that's the last thing you need while out of state, especially when you have the option from your buddy to bring it for you.
I would forgo the risk and get your buddy to bring it to you.
Whoa! THAT gets my attention. Is the front locking mechanism on a hardtop-delete 2004 different than one equipped from Stuttgart with a hardtop? Please tell me there's no difference!
Hey Dave, where did you find the hardtop? I am also looking for one for my 02 Cab that I purchased a couple of weeks ago for my Mid Life Crisis. I am also that magic age of 70. I am in Fl. Keys.
rbc
Shouldn't be, but it's not the kind of things you want to assume then find out to be contrary.
That said, I have not yet read anyone having issues with the front locking latch when they bought a hardtop from someone else when their own car did not come with one, so it's probably pretty safe.
All I'm saying is that you have self-proclaimed to be not proficient in mechanical side of things, do you really want to gamble not running into any issues two states away, when you have a viable and maybe even free option to have the hardtop brought to you, so you can sort out any issues that do come up locally at your convenience and leisure?
BTW, we need to see pix of your and rbs123's new acquisitions, else you WILL get the dreaded "This Thread Is Worthless Without Pix" mob ganging up all over you.
Dave, I remind buyers of hardtops to also get the following (very UNLIKELY to come with the hardtop)
* front latch cover
* cover for rear mounts (#7 and #8 in diagram below)
* plastic piece that goes over the mounting holes (see pic below)
Last but not least, make sure the rear defogger in the top works.
P.S. Sounds like you already checked the mounts on the top and bought the correct/matching hardware for your car.
It took a long-suffering granddaughter a world of sighs and eye-rolling to teach me to post a photo on Facebook, a place she was responsible for my being, anyway. You show me a tutorial on photo posting on this site understandable to my Yorkie, and I'll essay posting a photo.
Are the odd bits mentioned above necessary for top installation or are they eyewash? Is it the consensus that a hardtop delete '04 cabriolet will tolerate, without modification beyond adding the rear body attachment points, attachment of a hardtop?
I'm pretty-much resigned to having the top trucked up here (for free!) so it can be sorted out by a guy with "Porsche" embroidered on his work shirt. Arguments above make good sense, photos or no.
I actually just posted the below instruction in another thread:
So let's see some pix.
I would estimate a solid 80% probability you should not have an issue once the receptacles are installed, but do keep in mind there are two types of pin and receptacles, I am not totally up to speed on that since my came with the hardtop so everything was working already.
Smart move, it's the prudent approach and that's what I would do without any reservation.
The latch cover is cosmetic, though the latch is somewhat unsightly without the cover. My hardtop didn't come with it, and I haven't decided if I think it's worth the $70 to get one.
The few hardtops I'd looked at for sale all included the pieces labelled 7 and 8 on the diagram, so when I bought my hardtop it had never occurred to me that they might not be included. Fortunately, they were. From looking at several hardtops for sale on eBay, it seems as though these pieces are much more likely to be included than the latch cover. You could use the hardtop without them, but it would be pretty ugly.
From what I've read, I'd concur with the previous poster ... add the receiver mount kit to your car (and your hardtop, if it has the older style mounts) and you should be good to go.
Parts 7 and8 look like speaker grills and are attached so they will be there. You use your round caps on these to cover the access for the wrench which is only a allen fitting. No need to buy their tool. Search the size. Maybe a 6 or 7 mm. The front latch cover is almost no ever with the top and costs a lot. Nice but not necessary. Same with the little half circle pieces. They are protection for the canvas is you are careless lining up the back on installation.
Top takes 5 minutes to install.
Any one have an extra front latch cover they would sell?
The front is the same as the soft top latches on. The rears could be:
1) missing because of the delete.
2) Bayonet type. Standard for your 2004
3) Changed to the updated screw type.
Attached is a pic of the 6MM allen tool
check out post #23 here for the new vs. old type of mounts to make sure you bought the correct matching hardware
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...a-997-a-2.html
In case you have not seen this, good DIY to retrofit the hardware to your car:
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...t-a-997-a.html
P.S. I have a spare Porsche hardtop stand and cover for sale in case you're interested
Definitely acquire an official OEM Allen wrench; they're cool; and install a ceiling hoist in your garage to facilitate storage and installation/removals. With some practice, placement and removal is a one person task. (FYI-the aluminum hardtops weigh about 75 lbs.)
relinuca
Thanks for the input. Alas, my automatic garage doors preclude a hoist. Would otherwise rig one, certain-sure. Thanks for the offer, but I've a cradle stand left over from my last ride (an '05 Thunderbird), which I believe will work. The fellow from whom I'm obtaining the hardtop (from an '04, same year as mine) states everything that should be there is there. I'm presuming it has the bayonet rear attachments: he didn't upgrade. He's even got the wrench. I was the only bidder on eBay, and snagged this top for $200(!), so I hope it works out. I'm riding down with a trucker-buddy, perhaps just after Christmas, for pick up. Delivering North Carolina apples to the Miami area and bringing back produce and the hardtop. 1,500 miles round trip. Sleep in the cab and wee-wee in a Gatorade bottle. Geez, the things car guys will do. Shall report updates and learn to post pictures for the reading-impaired.
$200? That's outstanding!
FWIW, I am completely sold on the hardtop ... I was out today in 35 - 40 degrees and intermittent rain. The car was warm, dry, and quiet. My bad-weather car is an AWD SUV, but the hardtop and snow tires make the 996 much more of an all season driver.
Somewhat off topic, my one other piece of winter gear was a set of Lloyd Rubbertite floor mats. They're not heavy duty floor liners, but the fit is good, they look OK, they keep a lot of crud off the floors, and they were only about $50 for the fronts.
