As a proud new 996 Cab owner (YES, Pics SOON!) I am considering buying a hardtop. Local price is good. Checking my option tag my car didn't have the hardtop option. Is there much to do to install the required hardware and is it expensive? Further, any Cab owners install the Remote Top mod that allows the top to be operated from the key fob? Thanks... The info from this forum is keeping from making mistakes....

 

You'll find that hardtops are fairly rare--even more rare on the 997s. I believe that all the 996 models were wired for a hardtop, and that all you need to do to confirm that is to pop those caps off the back and look inside for a female thread. The driver's side will have a couple of electrical contact points around it.

I also installed the Smart Top module in my 997 (assume they also work on the 996) and it's one of the best mods that you can spend your money on. Occasionally there are group buys--but you see them more on the 997 forum these days, than on the 996. I really like having a hardtop option!

 

beautiful pic Dan

 

I also installed the remote top on my 996 Cab, great mod and super simple to install. It also allows you to open the rear small windows with top up or down and with hard top on.

My 996 purchase sticker specified "hard top delete" but it came with one the PO had purchased. In other words, I believe all 996 Cabs came with the hard top UNLESS ordered with "hardtop delete." Therefore, as the previous poster noted, all the wiring is already there (interior light, rear window defogger, etc.) and it should plug right it. Make sure you get the plastic center console cover (pushes on) and the hex head tool to tighten down the rear mounting points. Also, do not lose those plastic covers (toss them in the side door panel).

 

Don't.

 

That might be the case in sunny California, but here in the Northeast, 996 hardtops are not hard to find at all. The hardtop was standard on the 996, so there are a lot of them kicking around unused in the garages of owners who long since sold their car. The challenge is that you have to find one locally in the right color because they are basically unshippable.

Also, I understand that the 996 hardtop fits the 997 with relatively minor modification (I think you have to swap the posts out - the top itself is exactly the same).

 

One of the things Porsche mentioned in their early 997 literature was that they retained commonality of the 996 top for the 997. I believe they did mean the hardtop as it is a form, fit, function piece.

Check things like Craigs List in your area, as well as eBay. Several of the NY state dealers started moving them out of their tight storage space several years ago when they discovered eBay. Shipping is, of course, nuts. (I don't think you could crate it up safely enough without spending a fortune in shipping and handling charges). Sometimes you can consider DRIVING to pick it up, but you would have to work closely with the seller to ascertain that when you arrived, you had about a ten minutes installation job and that was it.

I also highly recommend the E Z Top motorized hardtop hoist. Search within Rennlist for more on these. A little pricey, but it is definitely a one-person job with that device.

If you have a fairly common color, you stand a reasonable chance of finding one. If you have something one-off (like me) forget it. Plan on painting it.

 

My brother in law just bought a 997. The dealer told him they have several hard tops that were from leased cars, and that he would install one for "a few grand". So the dealer is a good place to check for a hard top. I wouldn't live without one if I had a cab.

 

What year is your 996 Cab? Starting in 2003 the attachment hardware for the hardtop was not installed at the factory if the hardtop was not ordered.

Depending on the used hardtop you buy, there are 2 types of attaching hardware, one is a twist pin mount and the other is a screw mount. This will determine which type of receiver hardware you will need to get for the car. Installation of the receiver hardware is easy to do. The screw mount hardware was introduced in 2005, and is the same for 996 or 997s.

I would recommend using the screw mount hardware as it is less prone to rattles.

If the hardtop you get has the twist pin hardware, there is a kit to upgrade the mounts to the screw mount.

Here is a picture of the older twist pin hardware.

 

The latest screw in ones take a torque of 34 ft lbs.

 

It was mentioned above to keep the plastic caps (from the rear attachment point) in the glove box. Actually, these fit back onto the hard top at the same location, covering the hole to the lock screw that holds the top down.

 

My car didn't have them but I got a set from the dealer for about $20. Nobody wants to waste a $20 but if you do lose them they are readily available. Car looks terrible without them

 

Keep a look out in the "For Sale Ads" forum. I found one there a couple of years ago for $100, including a hoist system. It was in perfect condition. It had been hanging in the members garage for years and he was ready to get rid of it. There are a couple posted now.

I just put it on this week for the first time since I bought it. I'd forgotten how different the cab looks and sounds inside with it on.

My '99 was a hardtop delete but everyting for the top was there and it fit like a glove.

 

I contacted my local dealer and inquired through service. They had a bunch and one in my color, $500. Be sure to check interior color as well. I think headliners are all the same color but the plastic trim pieces coordinate with the interior color.

 

I just installed all the hardtop mounting hardware (used Porsche "retro fit kit" 9With all new "screw type" hardware). The only thing I can not figure out is how to remove the old Banonet sytle mounting pin w. lead to read window defrost. I can take the bolts of, yes but how do I gain access to remove the old wire lead and install new?? I'm stuck...