85 cab top replacement info needed

[dsmyth]

I know many say that this should be left to a professional but I am determined to do this myself. Does anyone have any materials or pictures with any tips or instructions that would help me for this project? I have also been told that the 83-85 has a wider window than the 86 on and requires a different top. I have found a source for the original German material. Nylon or brass zipper, any comments thanks Doug ( 85 widebody Ottawa Canada )

[3.2 CAB]

Do Not Get A Plastic Zipper!!

[3.2 CAB]

Doug, I have looked for the pictures that I took when I replaced my top. But, I can't find them, I will keep looking. It was before I had a digital camera, and I took all of the photos with a Minolta Advantix Camera, the one that there are no negatives loose in the pack. It keeps the exposed film inside the film canister. I will keep looking.

I will tell you, you need to take a lot of pictures, before you ever even start removing anything! Take outside shots, top, front, rear, both sides, then inside shots the same way. Then, only after you make sure you have the prints or digital images, you can start to remove the hardware, along with taking more photos along the way. Each time you go to remove a parts group, take pictures before you do, then after you remove them. You WILL NEED these for the re-installation. You also need to have an assortment of containers, to store the different parts groups that you remove, be sure to label them, 1,2,3, etc. because you will be putting them back in the reverse order. I can't emphasize enough, the importance of all of these photos. Take pictures before and after you remove every parts group!
How do I know this? I screwed up, and removed just a couple of items, at the beginning of the work, and I didn't take pictures of the little, plastic or nylon, "large pie slice" looking pieces, that mount where the top section will meet the downward section of the top. Also the little screw that holds the tensioning cable, along with the little spring, it is also on both sides. By the time that I was ready to do the re-installation, I could not remember just how some parts were supposed to be. But, I lucked out on getting the pictures that I needed, of several items, one being that "pie slice" part, because I went to one of the S. A. Spurs NBA Championship finals game in San Antonio,TX.(I lived there for many years) and I knew some of the players, and I knew that one of them, would have his Porsche there. I had already arranged with him before the game to be able to have a "photo shoot" of his cabriolet top, to get the pictures that I was missing. It was a win-win deal, they also won the game. I will keep looking for the pictures or the film canister, if located, I will let you know. Good luck!! Tony.

[anthony 911]

i done mine a year ago took about 40 hrs not too hard just time consuming.just make sure the top is center and take your time.a good top will fit better