Bavarians Cab hardtop hardware install

[MikeA]

So Bavarian.... did you get your hardtop hardware installation done in your 2004 C4S Cab???? I am anxiously waiting to hear how it went, if it was difficult and if you completed it. Please post all details so I can decide how to proceed with mine. I too just bought a hardtop for my 2004 and discovered that I am missing the hardware to secure the rear section of the top.

Thanks for ANY help with this annoying problem.

[bavarian]

So Bavarian.... did you get your hardtop hardware installation done in your 2004 C4S Cab????  I am anxiously waiting to hear how it went, if it was difficult and if you completed it.  Please post all details so I can decide how to proceed with mine.  I too just bought a hardtop for my 2004 and discovered that I am missing the hardware to secure the rear section of the top.

Thanks for ANY help with this annoying problem.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mike--I am still waiting for the parts. I guess UPS is slow this month. I will let you know as soon as I can.

John

[MikeA]

Thanks so much, I appreciate any help.

Mike

[bavarian]

I received some of the parts today. The new locks which replace the ones on the hardtop and now match the post 2001 version (without the red and white markings). I installed them quite easily, although the left one with the electrical connection for the heated rear window was quite difficult: you have to remove the inside cover which is held in place by some very tough snaps, and there is almost no play in the wire.

I will find out tomorrow when the fittings for the back of the car will arrive.

John

Just found out parts are coming in from Germany midweek--there was a screw up at the parts dept. (?).

Edited December 14, 2004 by bavarian

[bavarian]

Well, I got the parts today and did the install. It took a while, only because I did not have good instructions from someone who had done this before. In that sense, I would be happy to share my experience with anyone contemplating this mod. The one missing item would be two extra 6x20 hex bolts which are required but were not included.

Fortunately there appears to be a suitable connector for the heated rear window wire on the left side--I will only know if this is functional next time it rains. The whole job can be done in less than an hour, and requires the removal of the cover over the roll bar (the lowered soft top has to be raised about a foot). It is not a difficult job.

The car looks great and I think winter driving will be a lot more enjoyable.

[MikeA]

Great info! My hardtop parts are on order and will probably be doing the install soon. The only question I have is regarding the locks on the hardtop. My dealer insists that the locks on the hardtop are all the same across all the 996 series cabs. I called a second dealer and asked them the same question without telling them what the first dealer said. They also insist that the locks are the same across all years. I guess I will wait and see. If the top will not fit with the existing locks (hartop is off an MY99), I will buy new ones.

Thanks again John

Mike

[bavarian]

Great info!  My hardtop parts are on order and will probably be doing the install soon.  The only question I have is regarding the locks on the hardtop.  My dealer insists that the locks on the hardtop are all the same across all the 996 series cabs.  I called a second dealer and asked them the same question without telling them what the first dealer said.  They also insist that the locks are the same across all years.  I guess I will wait and see.  If the top will not fit with the existing locks (hartop is off an MY99), I will buy new ones. 

 

Thanks again John 

 

Mike

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mike, the dealers are both wrong. In 2002 Porsche replaced the current hardtop locks with a newer version which has teflon coated interior parts and differs on the outside by not having the red and white dots which show when the lock is engaged. There is a TSB (6117) on this website. If you check your hardtop you can see whether it has the red/white markings around the locking mechanism. If it does not, it is either newer than '01 or someone already made the change. Apparently there is no problem in using the old style locks with the new fittings. Good luck!

Edited January 5, 2005 by bavarian

[bavarian]

Here are the instructions for future reference by anyone else who needs to install the hard top fittings in '04 and later 996s:

1. Open conv. top all the way, then raise it about 1 foot.

2. Remove the 2 small roll bar covers (insert butter knife etc. from rear and pry up)

3. Unscrew 2 Philips screws now exposed in roll bar openings

4. reach into exposed soft top area and pry out 4 black plastic plugs holding grey felt cover

5. Separate the grey felt from large roll bar panel to expose center Philips screw (facing soft top) and remove

6. now the complete roll bar cover comes off

7. Both L and R hard top fittings are now exposed. Unscrew the 3 10mm bolts (6x20) holding a black plastic insert which is in place of the hard top fittings. (The two bolts facing the center are holding small L brackets into which the Philips screws of (3) fit.)

8. Slide the RIGHT fitting into place and screw in the 3 bolts (10mm) from step (7)

9. Do the same to the LEFT fitting, but first plug the electrical connection (for the heated rear window) into the socket which is on the back of the panel facing the stored soft top (it is about 4 inches down and a bit awkward to reach).

10. Replace the roll bar cover, slide in the grey felt, replace the plastic plugs and 3 Philips screws, then the small roll bar covers and you are set. The whole job should take 20-30 minutes.

I would also get 2 extra 6x20 10mm bolts because there are 4 threaded openings in the new fittings, and there are only 3 bolts (but 4 openings) in the car.

If you need to replace the locks on the hardtop, it is very easy but the left side is a bit tricky because of the wire for the rear window. You have to remove the cover which runs along the edge of the rear window

Once it was installed, I just pushed the hardtop down and it practically locked itself.