DIY Addition: Jti/Jolf Getta Swap Step By Step

[the six]

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EDIT: Pictures are currently down (I closed account on my server). If you want them, send me a pm.
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My little addition. If you see any errors post and I will edit them. It has been like 4-5 months since I did the swap, but I think I got everything down perfectly.

Since everyone has been posting asking how to do the front-end swap for a while, I decided to get up and type something up quickly for you guys/gals. What I have noticed with previous write ups (found this out first hand) is a lot of them provide correct information, but do not give the important details. So I tried to cover everything in this:

Step 1: Remove the hood

What you want to do first is simply open the hood. On the far left side you will see plumbing going into the hood for the window washer unit. Pop the rubber cap off and give this a little pull. Next disconnect the sprayers (Pull down from the hood, will pop off with some force) and disconnect the hosing (Warning: if yours have headed nozzles like mine did, we simply cut the wires and reattached them later on. If you have a better way to do it, be my guest). Once the washer units are disconnected it should slide right out of the hood.

Then simply remove the 4 bolts (13mm) holding the hood on (two on the left, two on the right) and remove the arms on the right that props the hood open (will be a bolt on the top holding it to the hood).

Step 2: Removing fender lining

Like the hood, this is another easy removal process (we recommend removing the front wheels to make this step easier). The fender lining is the plastic liner under the fender which keeps dirt from entering the bay. Holding this on is 12 t25 torx bolts holding this on (on each side, 24 total) which can be easily removed. One off the fender liner should simple slide right out.

Once the fender liners are off you can easily remove the side markers which release by popping them in. I also recommend not removing the turn signals which you remove by pushing the corner in, sliding it forward and it should pop right out. Simply remove the plug from the back and lay these somewhere.

Step 3: Removing the front grill

This was most likely the least written about subject and one that gave me the most problems. In order to remove the grill you must snap it out of place (do not be afraid of breaking it).

On the top left and right of the grill are 4 snaps. Simple pry them off and it will snap lose, same goes for the bottom snaps. Now in order to remove pull tab for the hood (when you pop your hood, the little handle pops out to open the hood)… at the end of the tab (part connected to the actual mech.) you will see a metal clip, pry the clip back and then pull the tab off the two plastic prongs (may take a few tries. we found it best to remove by putting a piece of metal like a small wrench in between the two connectors and turning it to an angle to pry it apart. May take a few minutes to get it off).
After you do that the grill will slide right off.

Step 4: Removing the front bumper

The front bumper is pretty simple to remove. It is held on by 5 bolts found where the grill used to be and 2 bolts found on the bottom of the bumper where the plastic inserts are (located on the outside inserts, no need to remove middle insert). To remove the plastic inserts simply pry the top down until it snaps off. After the bolts are removed the bumper should slide right out.

Step 5: Removing the lights

To remove the lights there will be 2 bolts on the top and 1 on the bottom (I cant remember if there are others because I did not do the lights, Kenny did, but I remember there only being 3). The lights should slide right out with ease.

Step 6: Removing the fenders

This is the hardest and most time consuming part… Holding the fender on will be 4 10mm bolts on the top of the engine bay where the hood used to rest, 4 bolts behind the bumpers, and 4 inside the wheel well where the fender liner covered.

The bolts in the wheel well will give you the most trouble. Covering these 4 bolts is a hard dried compound of undercoating which has to first be removed. The most talked about method is heating it up with a hair dyer and then scraping it off. But we decided to just chisel it off (high highly recommended, because it’s fastest and who cares since its all covered by a liner anyways). To chisel it off we used a screwdriver and a hammer. Rest is self-explanatory.

Step 7: Installation

Once you have done this to two cars it gets rather easy. So in order to put the car back together you simply reverse the steps. Save the fenders, this is the most time consuming step. Most of the pieces such as the fender, bumper, and hood have to be lined up so it all matches, which tends to be a 2 person job. And we recommend placing some fabric where the hood used to be for when you reinstall it or you may chip a lot of paint.

Step 8: Enjoy, take pictures

Unfortunately, every site out there which told you how to do the swap either told it incorrectly or left out major key notes. Hopefully this helps you get it done fast and not become the 5 hour job from hell which it became for me.

Modified by the six at 4:34 PM 8-27-2004

[the six]

Ohh yeah, as a little side note post. Last night while driving home I hit a deer... full thread I made is here: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1274051

But to summarize, I wad cruising, saw a bunch of deer and pretty much swerved hard into the center grassy area to save my front end. I inturn got the side of my vw rammed and left with a dented door, destroyed side mirror and my window has problems rolling down.

But my front end is safe. All that matters.

[kURTA]

Sweet THANKS!!!!

[Dan Halen]

Quote, originally posted by the six »

Ohh yeah, as a little side note post. Last night while driving home I hit a deer... full thread I made is here: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1274051 But to summarize, I wad cruising, saw a bunch of deer and pretty much swerved hard into the center grassy area to save my front end. I inturn got the side of my vw rammed and left with a dented door, destroyed side mirror and my window has problems rolling down. But my front end is safe. All that matters.

Gotta love it. At least you are okay, and it seems that your spirits are good about it. I guess you really like your new front end.

[TMTuned99.5Golf]

MUCH appreciated post THANXS!!!

[71sbeetle]

Thanks a lot PERFECT just what we needed

[Nik S.]

Another great guide, I love a well written DIY!

Hope the damage from the deer is an easy fix

[AF2nr]

Thanks so much for this informative "how to" post. I will let you know how mine goes in a week or so. The colors are the same as well. Thanks again!

[03rabbitgti]

awesome....cant wait

[McLovin]

this should got into the mkiv faq

[the six]

I sent a message to tatge and he said he will add it tomorrow.

[AF2nr]

One quick question, what tools do you need, are there any special tools you need ? Thanks again for this post.

[akila aipa 1]

i heard some place that you have to change the wiring as well, can you show some pics for that too or is it pretty simple?

[VRtripleSIX]

i hear dfenders need moding is that bull?

[the six]

Quote, originally posted by VRtripleSIX »

i hear dfenders need moding is that bull?

Nothing on the car needs any modification. It's a straight unbolt, bolt back affair.

[mitchelmandelker]

[GTIce]

very nice

[maxam]

sweat

[18TVeedubber]

wow.. silver gettas are soo hot.. nice job dude

[71sbeetle]

[kidistight]

Question, after you do the conversion do you have to buy a jetta front bumper for your golf?

[VRtripleSIX]

Did the conversion a while back..its super easy literaly just swap the parts around. For the "stuff" on the fenders heat gun and gental pulling worked for me.

[gteeiguy]

yay

[KFKMF]

Quote, originally posted by the six »

Nothing on the car needs any modification. It's a straight unbolt, bolt back affair.

So if we want instead of the stock bumper we can just install any front bumper that fits a Jetta such as a projektzwo?

[turboostdgti]

Quote, originally posted by KFKMF »

So if we want instead of the stock bumper we can just install any front bumper that fits a Jetta such as a projektzwo?

correct!

[GTI 3 3 HEAVEN]

good work nice write up

[Sputterputz]

SO instead of using a stock golf bumper I am thinking a rieger rs rx any complications forseen?

[QVB20L8V]

To have it professionally done.......How long do you think????

[QVB20L8V]

[huntergti]

awsome

[Ducky 2.0T]

Quote, originally posted by QVB20L8V »

To have it professionally done.......How long do you think????

do it yourself.. But a 2-3 person pro team can do it in under 2 hours..

Key points to note..

DON'T DROP BOLTS IN THE ENGINE BAY

Also the hood is def a two person job.. one to hold it and one to tighten..
The undercoating can also be sliced with an exacto knife (but we used a torch...)

Be careful with the hood latch pin, one was broken when we did it..

and make sure that you have a pad somewhere to set the parts on, so they don't get scratched on the edges..

i swapped 2.5 years ago and havent looked back

Also make sure you have lots of


Modified by DuckyGTI at 4:11 AM 6-12-2004

[NYC GTI]

good stuff

[klukfam]

what happens to the lights in the fenders on the jetta. how are they plugged in?

[Ducky 2.0T]

Quote, originally posted by klukfam »

what happens to the lights in the fenders on the jetta. how are they plugged in?

they snap in just like they do on the GTI

[projektscirocco]

nice, always had a soft spot for jolfs and gettas