The Official Cheap Little Mods Thread

[Tj_gti]

Quote, originally posted by ZGamer123@aol.com »

This thread is losing steam

x2 I almost don't want to follow it anymore

[diskostikvr6]

[kilimats]

^ lol @ you guys, it's not like the thread is gonna die, just let it hibernate a little until a new cool cheap mod is posted ;-)

edit: I have coming up, so stupid/easy mod yet so practical


Modified by kilimats at 8:30 AM 12-20-2009

[diskostikvr6]

watching again...

[White Jetta]

I have a few somewhat cheap mods i've done, just too lazy to post them up. And now with a foot and a half of snow, things are at a standstill on any car work for now.

This will be a great reference thread to use down the road

[oneder]

Quote, originally posted by White Jetta »

I have a few somewhat cheap mods i've done, just too lazy to post them up.

Thats great, thanks!

[White Jetta]

Quote, originally posted by oneder »

Thats great, thanks!

You're welcome. And what was your contribution?

That's what i thought

[Circus]

Quote, originally posted by White Jetta »

You're welcome. And what was your contribution? That's what i thought

Am I going to need to bring this?

[White Jetta]

No, he's done. And i have my own popcorn

[diskostikvr6]

moar pics of the popcorn procurement diy plz!

[oneder]

Quote, originally posted by White Jetta »

You're welcome. And what was your contribution? That's what i thought

Wow, your e-peenus is huge!
http://www.mrdaz.com/how-to-in...enis/

[rawbdee]

Quote, originally posted by diskostikvr6 »

moar pics of the popcorn procurement diy plz!

[White Jetta]

Quote, originally posted by oneder »

Wow, your e-peenus is huge! http://www.mrdaz.com/how-to-in...enis/

Thanks again. Lets get this place back on track, enough of the noob nonsense.

[oneder]

Quote, originally posted by White Jetta »

Thanks again. Lets get this place back on track, enough of the noob nonsense.

haha, touche, agreed.

[dlight88]

Quote, originally posted by Pg-Getta1.8 »

EVEYTHING IS CHEAPER IF YOU DIY! new (used trans and clutch) installed $1000...mad cheap!

Huh?

[Zyoid]

To keep this on track

=================================================
::::::: Mod Name: Armrest Delete
::::::: Why Worth It: Armrests suck, they get in the way of shifting. And its cheaper to delete than fix if broken.
::::::: Cost: $25
::::::: Where to buy: 1stvwparts.com/dealer/classifieds: Rear Console, Shelf and Mat
::::::: Time required: 20 minutes
::::::: Difficulty: Easy
::::::: DIY: Remove armrest, Insert Delete. Follow this: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=958556
::::::: Picture(s):

=================================================

[White Jetta]

::::::: Mod Name: Jetta dig out
::::::: Why Worth It: So you can go places
::::::: Cost: FREE-ish + gas + 1 snowblower
::::::: Where to buy: Sears
::::::: Time required: About an hour
::::::: Difficulty: 5/10 - People have lost fingers using these, just had 3 amputations in the ER this morning
::::::: DIY: If you're not lazy, or you can hire someone.

This mod was done to increase the chances of getting out on the road by giving the Jetta increased traction, and less resistance from the 1ft+ high snow.

First you start by clearing the driveway.....

Then you clean off the car and warm it up to melt off the offending snow before you drive away.....

Any questions, feel free to ask, although it's fairly self explanatory

[acvr6gti]

i always wondered how to do this... ^

[White Jetta]

Quote, originally posted by acvr6gti »

i always wondered how to do this... ^

And now you know, just looking out

[Brake Weight]

Here's my driveway this morning. We had a frost before the sun came up it was about 28 degrees. Now I'm back in shorts. I, too, was wondering how y'all do that.

[rwett131]

so did anyone actually ever do the street sign skid plate? if no one is gonna do it, im gonna go steal, i mean BUY, some tonight and see if i can do it.

[RED-MKFOUR]

yea what this guy is said^^.. i was looking under my car today and i see how naked that oil pan is.. sumone needs to post a cheap mod on that step by step on were to bolt it on to etc..


Modified by RED-MKFOUR at 5:09 PM 12-20-2009

[pDUBc]

ive had a street sightn laying in my back yard for a fiew months now so i could do the skidplate, but still havent figured out a good way to bold it up. someone do it! i know its been done before too

[acvr6gti]

Yes I'm quite curious myself

[kilimats]

my opinion on the skid plate sign mod is negative. How do you think the thin sign metal sheet will help protect the oil pan ?

just do it right, get a pre-made one

[squire]

Quote, originally posted by kilimats »

my opinion on the skid plate sign mod is negative. How do you think the thin sign metal sheet will help protect the oil pan ? just do it right, get a pre-made one

if i were to do this on my tdi, i would get a "bump" sign, cut part of the top off, and rivit it to the skid plate. so when people look at it from the front they see the word bump

[Brake Weight]

Two signs on top of one another would be solid. Give it a laminate advantage.

If we're ripping off someones design, anybody got specs on a Shine rear sway bar?

[Brake Weight]

I had these on my old computer but now can't find them. So I googled the same two pictures and tracked them down on some UK VW forum. It is still in inches and can be done now without all the guessing or wasting of materials in R&D. Merry Christmas.

Also, one of the Brits had taken his OEM VW plastic skid plate and use it as a template to make one out of aluminum plate. It's not as big as this one but still is better. Depending on your 'material' size, this would be an option also.

for all.

EDIT: found this sweet pic

[jayjay1]

what kinda jetta does that fit

[Brake Weight]

Quote, originally posted by jayjay1 »

what kinda jetta does that fit

I gotta build it too? It is a dieselgeek. Google it. Whatever it fits is what it fits. I would imagine all mk4 jettas and possibly golfs as well. Wagons included. Maybe not r32s and any 4motion. I'm just gonna get some 'material', drop my oem plastic one, trace it on said 'material', cut it out, bend it a little, and bolt that baby up. It'd be easier than all those angles and bends and guesswork for widths and such and...

for all good tidings.

[carpathian_basin]

=================================================
::::::: Mod Name:Reverse sensor
::::::: Why Worth It: cool factor, helps when backing into spaces
::::::: Cost: ~$50
::::::: Where to buy: eBay, Amazon
::::::: Time required: ~1 hour
::::::: Difficulty:medium
::::::: DIY:

1. Buy the kit online or on eBay (I got an Echomaster Dolphin, a $450 accessory installed at Ford dealerships, for about $20.45 on eBay <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/zeroforum_graphics/grinsanta.gif" BORDER="0">)

2. Most every kit will come with three things: Sensors, speaker, and the control module. Lay these out to make sure you have them.

3. Make marks for holes on bumper, make sure everything is level. I found it easiest to draw an imaginary centerline down the rear of the car (using the emblem as a starting point), then measuring 17" in each direction to make the marks for the sensor mounting points.

*You don't HAVE to take the bumper off, I was having trouble so I just said screw it and started drilling. MAKE SURE TO MEASURE and ALIGN!!!!!

3. Drill holes in bumper (I'm guessing if you have a GLI valance you probably will want to bring it to a body shop, I had my regular black valance and I figured if I screw it up I can just bondo and then hit it with flat black krylon to fix it )

4. Run wires into trunk compartment (I drilled a hole because I didn't want to remove all the trim in the trunk)

5. Mount the control module wherever you'd like (I'd recommend the little storage cubby to the left because it's hidden, yet easily accessible and close to the reverse lights)

6. Run the red wire from the control module to the positive wire for the reverse lights + (This can be done by following the metal strip from the right most wire to your reverse light, just solder the +/red wire onto there)

7. Run the black wire to the taillight ground (all light sockets connect to this)

8. Mount the speaker wherever you'd like (I mounted it under the rear seatbelt until I can get a speaker extension cord)

finished product:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqAtceUp3Iw

(I first put it into reverse when it's close to the garage, hence the continous beep, I start the car, pull forward, and then back up which is when you can hear the "beep..beep..beep")


Modified by pdethier at 5:46 PM 1-10-2010

[kilimats]

^ back on track, thanks pdethier

useful mod when you need to park tight, nice write up and video, thanks for sharing !

[give_it_to_dem]

Subscribing

[dubb this]

nice mod (back up mod), i'm sure it's pretty helpful.
good write up too

[GTIOMEN]

nice but i was wondering if anyone had a mod for a reverse beeper. like they have on big trucks and tractors. if anyone has a diy on how to do it and where to buy one i would love to have it.