Putting hops in the Rabbit.

[Aloha-boy]

Here's a little background on me. The first car I learned how to drive on was an '88 Scirocco. In high school, my first car was a '78 Buick Regal with a FBSS 2 hydraulic pump setup. I was tottally into both the VW and lowrider scene.

Fast forward to now. I got bit by the Air Suspension bug really bad and decided to combine both worlds! So I've decided to bag my MKV Rabbit.

Here's my parts list and where/who I've ordered through:
-Easy Street Digital Air Management Kit - Ordered through Dotcomparts.com
-Front and Rear Bagyards - Ordered through Andrew@OpenRoad
-Rear Bilstein shocks - Ordered through MJM Autohaus
-Misc Fittings and Hoses- Ordered through AirRideFittings.com
-Aluminum Slim Tank - Ordered through eBay
-Amp Wiring Kit - Ordered through eBay(bad idea, buy the good stuff!)

The Rabbit in question:

-04/25/09-
Officially started today. I need to keep my spare, so like Fuxton's GTi install, by euro inc. I took the main idea and ran with it.

Fuxton's:

Mine:

Next update, I will install the Auto Pilot brain.

-04/28/09-
This is where I'm mounting the Auto Pilot brain and relay.

Cut a piece of 1/2" mdf board. I'll velcro the board to the cars carpet, so I can remove it to access the tailight bulb

Everything mounted. Wiring will be cleaned up when I start running them.

I'll have another cover carpeted to cover the electronics and wiring to clean it up.

Next update, I will be test fitting the tank.

-05/02/09-
Test fit looks good!

Next update, I will be mounting all the components.

-07/27/09-
Got the front Bagyards!

I love the Vegas theme!

-03/19/10-
After 8 months of being Mr. Mom of 2 boys(5&2) and the wife going to school fulltime, winter projects were at a stand still. Now that the wife is on break and the weather warmed up, I was able to put in some work.

I scratched the idea of mounting the brain and relay on the side in hopes of a future sub enclosure. This is the final box design with all of the components mounted.

Next update, I will be running the controller, main power, and accessory wires.

-03/20/10-
I ran all my power and controller wires down the driver side rail. I chose the cubby compartment, under the headlight switch, for the controller. I also left a lot of the slack for the controller in there. I did it so I can take the controller out and control the car from about 6-7ft from the driver door.

Here is the driver's view of the controller in the cubby.

Next update, I will be connecting all the power wires and doing a system check for leaks.

-03/28/10-
I powered up my system and tested for air leaks. I used fuse #42 for the Auto Pilot brain. It's a 30amp fuse for the Cigerette lighter and accessory outlets. I used an add a circuit with a 5amp fuse from Pep Boys. It made the install clean and easier.

All systems go!

Next update, I will be installing the rear bags, lines and shocks

-03/31/10-
Gotta love aftermarket parts!

Here's a comparison between the Ksports rear spring and a Bagyard rear bag.

Ksports rear shock and a Bilstein rear shock.

First off, the nutserts were bigger than the hole in the nub. So I had to run to Home Depot and buy a 1/2" drill bit and drill out the hole bigger. I gotta say the nutserts were a pain to install!!! That was the hardest part of the rears. Once in everything went smoothly! Bolt to bag distance.

Finished product.

I ran out of time and still gotta run the lines.

Next update, I will run the rear lines and test for leaks.

-04/02/10-
Ran the 1/4" rear lines. You know the saying, what goes up must come down! In our case what goes down, must come up or else we can't drive!

This is with around 60psi.

I left the rears aired to around 50psi overnight. I checked them this morning and I'm happy to report they were still 50psi!

Next update, I will start on the Notch, lines and fronts after Easter.

-04/05/10-
Started the notch and was completed this past Wednesday.

Next update, I will install the fronts, run the lines, and test for leaks.

-04/09/10-
Installed the fronts and ran the lines. Awesome, the fronts held air overnight!!!

Next update, I will finish the final touches in the hatch.

-04/12/10-
Made the box on the right to hold the OEM jack and other tools.

Trimmed the rear hatch cover to fit over the tank.

The final look.

All the hard stuff is done! I still have four things left to do. Next update I will cut a hole for the pump's filter, put the jack and tools in the box, velcro the boxes and tank down and camber the rears.

-04/24/10-

Did three out the four final touches I needed to do.

I measured wrong when installing the pump and the filter did not fit, so I cut a hole for the pumps filter.

I mounted the jack and tools in their box, after all what's the purpose of keeping the spare without it's tools! What I did was cut the first layer of foam for the bottom of the box. Next I layed out how I wanted the jack and tools to fit on the second layer of foam then cut that foam to their shape so they stay put. Final layer of foam is the top, to cover it all.

I painted the tank black and velcroed it down along with the component box and jack/tools box.

All that's left to do is camber my rears then I'm finally done!

Wow after almost a year of parts collecting, I can officially call my MKV Rabbit "Hops!" It is so rewarding doing this install!!!

Thanks to ALL for the compliments and answering my questions!



06/14/10
Finally dialed in some camber in the rear yesterday. First I got the right side even with the left. Then from there I did a 1/8th turn on both sides. My rear wheel's lip now tucks in the fender. I wish I did this earlier, now my driver fender is out of shape and my passenger has rubber burn marks.

[MarcosMK5]

should look good

[windsorvr]

dtm kreuz wheels?

[Aloha-boy]

Quote, originally posted by windsorvr »

dtm kreuz wheels?

Thanks, yeah I guess these wheels are old school.

Assembled a wheel yesterday.

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Tada!



Modified by Aloha-boy at 8:27 PM 4-26-2009

[Aloha-boy]

Officially started today.

I need to keep my spare, so like Fuxton's GTi install, by euro inc. I took the main idea and ran with it.

Fuxton's:

Mine:

Next update will be the Auto Pilot brain install.


Modified by Aloha-boy at 3:11 PM 4-14-2010

[lcurtisl]

the dump openings on the manifolds are on both sides. do you plan on elevating them a bit?

[Aloha-boy]

The wood frame is 1x4 and the manifolds are less than 4" tall. I plan to raise the frame another 1/2 inch to let it breathe more.

[Aloha-boy]

Finally ordered my front bags, misc fittings and hoses.

Worked on it a little tonight. This is where I'm mounting the Auto Pilot brain and relay.

Cut a piece of 1/2" mdf board. I'll velcro the board to the cars carpet, so I can remove it to access the tailight bulb

Everything mounted. Wiring will be cleaned up when I start running them.

I'll have another cover carpeted to cover the electronics and wiring to clean it up.

Next update will be the wiring and tank.

[Aloha-boy]

2 down 2 to go!

[vwnthusiast]

[BIG_ANT]

I like the boxes for the compressors and manifolds... Creative!

[chromedomewookie]

Looks good. Like what you have done with the trunk

[Aloha-boy]

Quote, originally posted by BIG_ANT »

I like the boxes for the compressors and manifolds... Creative!

Thanks guys! I gotta give credit to eurowise for the idea.

I got my tank yesterday. Test fit looks good!



Modified by Aloha-boy at 6:57 PM 5-3-2009

[Aloha-boy]

Test fitted the wheels... I like the final offset!

[melvin3582]

its gonna look good when dumped

[idk alex]

nice

[dare_rick]

Cool! cant wait to see it finished.

Im in the process of bagging my 4 dr RS rabbit.

[rockin16v]

good job on that offset.

gotta love the folks who run the same width / offset front/rear on VW's

[EurodriverMK3]

I have an 09 2dr Bunny 5spd, And I too have been bitten hard by the bag bug, I have been looking everywhere and cant find anything usefull. I'm new to bags but have a background in mechanics and plumbing and cunstruction so I dont doubt my installation abilities, I just need to know what I need to drop my bunny and where I can get perts that will fit her. If you could help me that would be awesome, THANKS!!

[Aloha-boy]

Thanks for the comments guys!

Quote, originally posted by dare_rick »

Cool! cant wait to see it finished. Im in the process of bagging my 4 dr RS rabbit.

Yeah I've seen your build... I'm glad another 4 dr is getting built. We're out numbered by the 2 dr guys!

Quote, originally posted by EurodriverMK3 »

If you could help me that would be awesome, THANKS!!

This is the very kit I ordered, click me. Cheapest digital kit I've found. As for bags, if you got the money, go with Bagyards. I have the rear bags and I'm saving for the fronts right now. For now I'm going to run the Uvair Aerosport bags over my K-sport coilovers. F_399 and charlie hayes is currently running that front setup, so ask them for more info.

[Banana.Phone]

Damn, at first I was thinking the wheels would look like ass but they turned out well.
Can't wait to see the finished product.

[crippled4life]

interested, I like the 4 door. not feeling the wheels, but Nevada stand up!

[Aloha-boy]

Quote, originally posted by Banana.Phone »

Damn, at first I was thinking the wheels would look like ass but they turned out well. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Quote, originally posted by crippled4life »

interested, I like the 4 door. not feeling the wheels, but Nevada stand up!

LOL... Honestly I had my doubts too! I figured if I didn't like it, I could always strip the powdercoat and just polish the lips. Thank God I liked the end result!

Thanks to Oscar33 for making my decision much more easier, I just placed an order for Bagyard fronts through Andrew.

[Santi]

wished the wheels tucked a bit mroe... But looks good so far..

what size/offset are the wheels? tires?

[Aloha-boy]

Quote, originally posted by Santi »

wished the wheels tucked a bit mroe... But looks good so far.. what size/offset are the wheels? tires?

Thanks, me too! The fronts will tuck, but the rears will hit rim after I get it aired. I'm hoping a little camber will correct that though.

Size: 19x8 and 19x8.5
Offset: Roughly mid 30's(haven't accurately measured).
Tire: 215/35 all around.

[Santi]

alright at least u got a little stretch.

keep up the work!!

[stealthmagic27]

Lookin great!

[diive4sho]

WOW....that is one hot lookin rabbit... I have a thing for white rabbits

[dash cunning]

i don't think i've met you before. did you just move to vegas? i'm gonna be baggin my mk2 soon i'd like to check your's out one day for ideas.

[Aloha-boy]

Thanks for the positive comments guys!

Quote, originally posted by dash cunning »

i don't think i've met you before. did you just move to vegas? i'm gonna be baggin my mk2 soon i'd like to check your's out one day for ideas.

I had an '05 USP Avant when I moved here in '06. Sold it in '07 and quickly bought an '04 Touareg with Air. Gas kicked my but when it went up to $4/gallon and traded the Touareg for the Rabbit for me and Jetta for her. I missed the Air so bad and the fact that lurking in this forum, made me do it!
I should be done with my install at the end of summer, so I'll hit you up later.


Modified by Aloha-boy at 11:43 AM 7-22-2009

[cigarnut81]

Nice rabbit! Looking forward to the finished product.

[EurodriverMK3]

i cant wait to see the finished result. looks great so far, and thanks for the help before. I cant wait to be bagged in Germany, I havent seen anyone bagged here yet.

[Aloha-boy]

cigarnut81 - Thanks man!

EurodriverMK3 - No problem, glad to help!

Quote, originally posted by andrew m. »

errol, here's a little taste of whats coming your way. andreas is a genius when it comes to graphic design. your bags shipped out this week,, i'll email/pm you the tracking information

SAWHHEEETTT!!! LOL... Andreas is very clever! Looking forward to your email/pm.

[Aloha-boy]

Thanks again Andrew!

Pure sickness!

I love the Vegas theme!

[Aloha-boy]

Being a daddy of 2 boys(5&2) and wife going to school fulltime, winter projects were at a stand still. Now that the wife is on break and the weather warmed up, I was able to put in some work.

I finally chose a final box design and mounted all of the components on Friday night.

Saturday I ran all my power and controller wires down the driver side rail. I chose the cubby compartment, under the headlight switch, for the controller. I also left a lot of the slack for the controller in there. I did it so I can take the controller out and control the car from about 4-5ft from the dirver door. Here is the driver's view of the controller in the cubby.

Saturday night, after watching Twilight New Moon with the wife, I tried to work on cleaning up the wires in the box. But when my drill slipped I nicked my left thumb with a hole bit. I would've taken a picture, but I was in shock and decided to end the night.

Question for the MKV guys: What fuse did you tap for the Auto Pilot brain?

Here's my "left to do" check list:
- Connect all the power wires and do a system check.
- Install rear air bags and run rear air lines.
- Notch, install front air bags and run front air lines.


Modified by Aloha-boy at 9:19 AM 4-14-2010