I am taking a serious look at an '04 Cabrio from a dealer.
If I buy it they'll hold off on redo-ing the clutch work until I provide an LN IMS upgrade. If I don't, they'll sell with existing IMS and putting in the upgrade later will be 18 hours vs 3 hours (while working on clutch anyway).

I want to be able to remove the entire convertible mechanism and manually (no battery power) put up and take down the roof. I don't mind if it's a somewhat lengthy process each time with wood holding stuff in place temporarily while I get to the other side.

The dealer said this is a lengthy process and they wouldn't consider it feasable but I'm thinking this is from a dealer perspective of get 'em in & get 'em sold sans hassles.

Without getting into the "why" of why I want to do this, the questions are:
1. Is this DIYable without having to buy additional parts to replace what's taken out?
2. Is it even possible to completely manually open and close the roof or does some battery/motor assistance always have to be present in some form?

Thanks in advance for any info on this

 

As you already know, current mechanism is hydraulically actuated. So to accomplish your vision, cables and pulleys will need to replace the function of pressurized cylinders to both open and close the top.

DISCLAIMER: I have zero engineering background, knowledge, experience.

 

Hmm I used to do this on a boxster without any problems just by disconeting mechanism driving rods. But 911 there seems to be way more complicated. I am assuming closing and opening operating could be easily done. But how would you latch the top to the windows? It's all electronic on 911 were it was manual on a boxster. Ther other part is easy just discconet all mechancial part. but you will also run into a problem of the deck not locking properly and crreating extra wind noise (ask me how I know this).

 

How would you move the clamshell cover and the "wings"?

 

What you are trying to do is in direct opposition to your screen name

 

Here's some info on how to actuate the top manually, using the "emergency" procedure in the manual. You would have to leave all of the mechanisms in place to do this. (i.e. you couldn't rip out the actuators and sell them).

Owners Manual - 996 Roof Operation 1
Owners Manual - 996 Roof Operation 2

But I have to ask... WHY?

 

Raising and lowering the top without the hydraulics is relatively easy, as long as the sensors, latch and clamshell actuator are working. If you want to do it without ANY electrical power ... different story. You can use the emergency operation for the clamshell (heh, good luck, takes about 10 minutes to wind up or down.) And you will need to rip the latch motor out and replace it with ... something of your own creation.

 

If the 996's top opening/closing sequence is similar to the Boxster's, there are parts that need to be timed/choreographed correctly to make everything work. For example, the clamshell on the Boxster needed to be open to a specific angle for the folding top to be stowed without interfering with the clamshell. I would worry about getting this sequence right every time to prevent damaging a component.

Note that I didn't ask "why..." but if you wanted to tell us anyway, I'd read it.