996 cab hardtop info

[juanbenae]

is there any an opportunity to have the base 996 hardtop fit a 996 turbo model? in general are most of the "clip on" hard tops produced by aftermarket vendors or are they likely to be an OE Porsche piece? thanks for any experience or insight.

t

[FPB111]

All of the 996 Porsche hard tops fit all models from 1999 to 2008, probably until the 991 body style came out.
In ~2005 the mounts changed from bayonet to screw in. The new mounts can be back dated, the old mounts can be updated depending on which way makes more sense for your application. I.E. If you have a top with bayonets and a car with no mounts makes $$ sense to get bayonet receivers for the car or...

I have a 2004 turbo with a 2003 hard top. I lucked out and they both have bayonet mount hardware. The front mount on all are a manual latch.
I have never seen an after market hard top for 996.

[juanbenae]

good info! thanks.

[juanbenae]

frank, a couple follow up questions after digesting your post::

I take it the screw in or bayonet fastening systems are OE features on the car?

forgive my ignorance, but are there portions of soft lid system that need to be removed to install a hard top? not overly concerned if so, just looking for info.

looking for a 996tt and seems there are some nice cabs available for very reasonable prices compared to the coupes. also opens the number of cars to be considered after having two coupes fail PPI's in the last 4 weeks...

thanks

[cheekybird]

Car 311 - Bayonet was manufactured through 2004 and then the screw latch was 2005 and on...both are Porsche OE. A hard top came with every 996 Cab unless you optioned your car with out a hard top.
Example: I bought my C4S which had an option Hardtop Delete. Thus Porsche did not put the hardtop receiving fixtures in my car so I must add/purchase them (see part # below). Here is the part number and links to instructions. Depending on the hardtop you buy (bayonet or screw fasteners) will depend on what parts you will buy to receive the hardtop. Photo below shows black Bayonet which is attached the hardtop and the silver pieces are what I must buy to receive the hardtop. The part numbers are below.

Hard Top:
Part#: 996-561-654-03 Electric (Driver’s)
Part#: 996-561-653-05 AS Fixture
Part#: 996-563-413-01 Hex Wrench

Install:
Hardtop Install on Cab - Rennlist Discussion Forums
How to retrofit a 996 hardtop to fit a 997 - Rennlist Discussion Forums
Wind Deflec

PM me if you would like clarification over the phone. BTW, eBay has many hardtops for sale.

[cheekybird]

Just installed my hardtop and all is good. Did you figure it out Car311?

[juanbenae]

thanks cheeky, I ended up finding a 996t coupe.... had to go a few states over to collect it & trailer home,,, but well worth it thus far.

cheers cheeky!

[FPB111]

The hard top will not fit that!