Is this even possible? I'd like to do the job myself but don't want it looking like a hack job when it's done. BTW, I already have the OEM top and plastic window so I am not looking for where to buy, just whether or not I should do the install myself. Additionally, the installers around where I have checked don't give me the warm fuzzies with their level of skill on a 99 996. Thanks.

 

It's time consuming and not easy , I've seen them pull off my top to replace my back window with a tinted one , pay the money and have it done right maybe 2-250 at shop

 

$200 - $250? Are yous sure? I keep getting estimates of $1500 - 2000 just for the labor.

Where did you get yours done? Maybe I'll take mine to Illinois.

 

i have a friend who works for riggs bros, and he put in a new tinted back tinted for i think 400 and he had to take the whole top off and sew in the new window,(more time consuming than just swapping out tops, so at most maybe 500, but 1500-2000 there crazy!!!! lol, good luck and if u want to come to chicago my friend can do it an the side ( hes a profesional) let me know

 

I just got a quote from a guy in Kansas City to sew in a new plastic window. He quoted $800. That also means cutting the headliner and letting it "hang" after he's finished. That didn't sound too attractive to me.

The factory plastic is bonded to the canvas with heavy-duty adhesive. Over time, and temperature changes, plastic stretches and shrinks. Why Porsche put in a plastic window on the "oh so new body style 996", is beyond me.

http://www.turnerupholstery.com/ also said there's an aftermarket top made by http://www.gahh.com/ that DOES COME IN GLASS, but a lot smaller than the plastic one. Check it out... little under $2k -- http://www.gahh.com/store.php?cPath=...ts_family_id=1

 

Doing the canvas is no big deal just take your time. Burning in the new window properly is another thing. The dealer uses a burner to heat the adhesive then a jig that keeps the window clamped in over night. I don't know how you'd do that yourself, nor would I trust a independent shop to do it unless they had a lot of experience. Unfortunately dealer Price to do a top isn't cheap.

 

I think that might explain the price difference. However, I am thinking of just having the window sewn in instead of the glue since the last one the fell off while sitting out in the sun one afternoon. I've been driving around with a make shift window for now.

Do you know of any instructions on doing the canvas by myself and maybe I can have some one sew the window in place before I install the top - Or I might just take Omarcoolguy up on his proposal.

 

The average quote in LA is about $600 to remove the top and sew in the replacement window. It is actually about $100 more to install a new top since the installer actually has to properly align and make the screw holes in the new canvas top.

TDK