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Unpackaged this morning. It survived the trip overseas with just a few scuff marks on the top which is to be painted anyway. It’s much lighter than expected! Even the glass panels are light weight (OEM). Car is going in for another shot at transmission repair tomorrow so the soft top removal has to wait a few days.
Progress. And some difficulties. Today I spent about 5 hours - removing the soft top, installing the hardtop for initial fit and mechanical attachment so I can drive it across town to the body shop. I have some fitment issues with the rear brackets which had been a point of concern with the previous thread on this subject. I even raised this as a concern when ordering, so I'm pretty disappointed they let this happen. I may be able to salvage one of them, but the two side brackets are pretty far off. I am excited about the look, and looking forward to getting some paint on it. Deliver to the body shop tomorrow.
Looks great! I had the same issue with the rear connectors. Can't remember if they sent me new ones or I had my shop just bend them to fit, but seems like that's been a problem area for them for at least the last 6 years (or alternatively, our cars aren't consistent enough!).
Looks great! I had the same issue with the rear connectors. Can't remember if they sent me new ones or I had my shop just bend them to fit, but seems like that's been a problem area for them for at least the last 6 years (or alternatively, our cars aren't consistent enough!).
They are sending me the 993 brackets. Seems like a small enough item they could include both in the kit. I'm a little annoyed as we had discussed this prior to shipment. Apparently there are two possible locations for the bolts on the rear shelf.
Did you do any sanding or shaping of the edges on your top to keep the gaps consistent? Mine are looking pretty good but without the brackets I can't check too closely.
Also wondering if the front brackets really need the two washers behind them. The gap is close there. I probably should just leave well enough alone. It just seems a little hokey to have those spaced out. A full flat spacer for that part would be easier to work with and be more stable. Maybe I will create some one day. haha.. probably not tho. I'm almost convinced a single screw would be a better solution.
I didn't do any additional cutting/sanding of the top - with the rubber gasket and the bolts adjacent to the front seats, you can tighten/loosen to make microadjustments to the gaps, but overall it has always fit ok. I've washed (including pressure washing) the top/car a couple times and I will get a little water in through the top window gaps, but otherwise it's been great fitment out of the box...excepting the obvious part where they don't include/send the wrong parts
Dropped off the car with hardtop today at a local body shop for paint match, glass installation and final fitment. They may grind the edge to fit the curve in the rear a little better. I think I'm in good hands. Should be sporting a new top mid-next week depending on how long the new brackets take to get here. Supposedly they shipped today but I don't know if there could be delays with customs or anything like that.
I’m having some difficulty with the hardtop supplier. There does not seem to be anything in the kit that will seal the rear glass. As I understand it, this is the same installation as the 993 glass yet there is no seal from the glass to the body (top). It’s been a week of emails to get an answer that yes they include one but as yet no picture of what it looks like or concern that I can’t find it in the kit.
probably going to have to purchase one myself which after what I’ve spent is pretty discouraging from a service standpoint.
Have you thought about deleting the 3rd brake light?
A few people suggest that. I haven’t thought much about it. Actually just repaired it. I’m afraid in Miami traffic I might be an easy target. Going to keep it for safety and originality for now.
I would keep all the government mandated lights - after accidents, guilty parties are known to use such modifications as an excuse to avoid liability. This argument is also applied to darkened/tinted taillights etc, could not see the car braking - not responsible for rear-ending.
You might want to explore an option of installing the couple light under the rear glass.
A few people suggest that. I haven’t thought much about it. Actually just repaired it. I’m afraid in Miami traffic I might be an easy target. Going to keep it for safety and originality for now.
Also not worth deleting if you plan to occasionally return to the soft top.
06-21-2021, 12:23 PM
