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The Official Cheap Little Mods Thread

6M views 3K replies 784 participants last post by  EmperorV 
#1 · (Edited)
FYI this thread will not be sticky-ed but it has been bookmarked in the DIY sticky thread

Viewer Rules:
1- Keep the thit tchat to a MINIMUM (no childish talk here)
2- Viewing is nice, contributing is better, get creative and post something new too ;)
3- Enjoy


Contributor Rules:
1- The mod cost less than $100 (if more use the expensive little mods thread)
2- Check the Index below before posting your mod to avoid duplicates (press CTRL+F to search)
3- If the mod hasn't been posted yet, create a new thread on this forum and come here to add your entry.
4- Use the template below

=================================================
::::::: Mod Name:
::::::: Why Worth It:
::::::: Cost:
::::::: Parts needed:
::::::: Where to buy:
::::::: Time required:
::::::: Difficulty:
::::::: DIY Link: (no external website link, you must provide a link to a thread on this forum)
::::::: Picture(s): (1 picture required, 3 max)
=================================================

GLOSSARY (please report invalid link)

Exterior - Bodykits, Bumpers, Side skirts, Valances, Badges, Front End Conversions, Wipers, Mirrors, Windows, Sunroof

Smocked Front License Plate in lower grill
Front End Swap
Rear Emblem Background Removal
Euro Image MK4 Rear Wiper Delete
Rear wiper delete
Roof Rack Paint Proctection
Front Tow Hook With Bumper Vent
Votex Look-A-Like Mod
Painting Mirror Caps
Painting Emblem Background
Avus's Emblem Swap For GTI/Golf Mod Only)
Front License Plate to Vent relocation
Steve's Spoons (Smaller Mirrors)
DIY Eyebrows
Black Out Grill
Painted Rocker Black
Blacked Out Pillars Between Side Windows
Front Plate Relocation
DIY Big Mud Flaps
Coolant Heater Lower Grill Outlet
Painted Side View Mirror Caps
OEM Votex Rood Rack Second Skin
DIY Skid Plate
Front License Plate Hole Filler
Textured Rubstrips
DOT Reflectors
Another License Plate Hole Filler
Painted Front Emblem
Sleek-Look Windshield
DIY VAG Jackpad
Metal Hood Latch Pull Tab
Wood Roof Rack
Carbon Fiber Mirrors
Front Plate Hole Delete/Cover Up
Cracked Front Lip Zip-Tie Fix
Custom European License Plates
Rain Tray Painting
Porsche Turbo emblem
LED's Behind Front Emblem
Replacement Rubber Trim for OEM Roof Racks
Debadge
Stubby Antenna
Paint bumper grilles color of your choice
POLISHED HOOD/HATCH STRUTS

Exterior Lighting - Headlights, Tailights, turn signals, side markers

Yellow High Beams
Parking Light LED Upgrade
Bumper marker replacement
Brake Light Flasher Module
Black Folder Headlight Insert
Red Tint Your Taillights R/R/R/R
LED Lower Grill Amber Turn Signals (MKIV MK4 Golf GTI)
Smoked or amber sidemarkers
Clear Headlight Protection Covers
Disabling DRL's
Side View Puddle Lights
Amber City Lights
DIY Fog Lights
Christmas Lights on Roof Rack
Clear Side and Rear View Mirrors
Dual Blinker Mod
Turn Signals as DRL's
Smoked Headlight Turn Signals
Dual Turn Signals
Blacked Out Turn Signals and Side Markers
Glowing Trunk Emblem
LED Bumper Daytime Running Lights
Smoking and Blacking Out Side Markers
Removing the Amber Color From Tail Lights
Red/Clear/Red Tails
LED Lit Trunk/LED Trunk Lighting
Taillight Tint
HID Upgrade


Interior - Rattles, squeaks, shift knobs, steering wheels, trim kits, gauge clusters, gauges, seats, alarm, heating and A/C, interior disassembly, interior lighting

Flat Trunk aka Rear seat Delete (with custom floor carpet)
THE FAKE CAR ALARM LED LIGHT
Trunk Wood floor
Custom Door Sills
Interior Refresh (Fabric Wrapping)
Under Dash Neons
Painting Rear View Mirror
Fire Extinguisher Safety Mod
GPS Mounting In Empty Button Blanks
Interior LED's
Sound Activated Neon Light
W8 Console
Glove Box LED Lights
Glove Box LED Strip
Air Ride Compressor Box
Cell Phone Holster
Brushed look Door Pulls and Steering Wheel Emblem
Door Pin Delete Mod (aka The Brody Mod)
Bullet Casing Door Pins
Red Stitched Interior
Boost Controller in Cup Holder Mod
Cup Holders in Arm Rest Mod
5 Panel Mirror
Fire Extinguisher Trunk Mounting DIY
Armrest Delete
Sock Mod
Matching Seatbelt Clasps
iPhone/iPod Holder
Forge "Big Knob" Shift Knob Install
Passat Look MkIV Cluster
DIY Camera Mount
Arm-rest Tool Box
Rear View Mirror Glasses Holder
Steering-Wheel Cover
Golf Ball Shifter (With 6th Gear Delete)
Flip Key Holster/Protector
Flip Down Visor Plate
Cracked Front Lip Zip-Tie Fix and Red Accent Shift Knob
Crown Royal Shift Bag
6" Under Dash Interior Neons
The Shoe Polish Restore (Leather Seats)
Free Key Badge Replacement!
Sticker Bombed Center Console
Grip Tape On Pedals
Ashtray iPod Holder
iPod / iPhone Functional Dock in Ashtray
Automatic Shift Knob/5 Speed Look Exchange
20th Inspired Painted Interior Pieces
Patterned Mirror Mod


Interior Electronics - Audio/Video, Subwoofers, Radar Detectors, MP3 Players, GPS, Keyfobs, Alarm modifications, window controllers, cruise control

Neons Trunk Lighting
Extend Keyfob Range
Cheap iPod Interface Using CD Changer Port
AUX In Filter
Dual Siren
P.A. Speaker
COGA-PA Public Address and Musical Car Horn
Instant Hidden Radio Faceplate
Back-Up Sensors
Back-Up Beeper
DIY Louder more Masculine Lock Horn
Vag-Com
JB Mod - Aux Input Via Tape Deck Hack
Flush Double Din
Cigarette Lighter Stereo Hissing Sound Magic Trick
Sub Immobilizer


Suspension - Shocks, Springs, Coilovers, Swaybars, Strutbars, Stressbars
Front Upper Stress Bar (Strut Bar)
Sway Bar Delete
Rust Proofing Coilovers
Rokkor Coilovers
Prevent the Front Sway Bar (FSB) / Axle From Rubbing
Airlift 1000 for Lowered Car


Wheel and Tire

Wheel Well Vent
Audi TT Style Vent Mod
Painted Winter Steelies
Resprayed Wheels
Wheel Adapters


Brakes - Calipers, carriers, rotors, pads, brake light switch

Paint Your Calipers


Transmission - Automatic and Manual, Starter

OEM Shift Knob on B&M Shifter
DIY Short Shifter
Custom Shifter Assembly


Drivetrain - Items/Issues that are common across drivetrains (Engine/Transmission). Fault codes, coilpacks, 02 sensors, EDL and ASR, Oil, battery, engine mounts, bushings, bearings and hubs, axles, fuel filter.

Vacuum Reservoir relocate(1.8T)
VF Dogbone Mount
ECS Dogbone Mounts
Renewing Your Engine Bay
DIY Detailing Your Engine Bay
Lower Control Arm Bushing Install
Coolant Heater Install
Protecting Ignition Coil Harness
Trash Can Heat Shield
JohnsonMOD (One Way Check Vavle, DV Modification)
Sexy Valve Cover
Smooth Lower Engine Cover
Boost Hose Kit & Turbo Inlet Hose
Front Mount Intercooler
Cheap Catch Can Mod


Intake and Exhaust - Cold Air Intakes, airboxes, CAI's, filters, exhaust systems and components

Stiffen Exhaust Hanger
Custom SRI Air Intake
Mini Keg Heat Shield
Intake Bore Out Mod
Resonator Delete
DIY Polished Intake
SAI Breather Filter


.
 
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1
#1,853 ·
I did something a while ago, but I imagine most of you will shun it. I dont have pics, but I sprayed the sliding door that covers the ashtray black with white and grey pinstriped-plaid. It looks pretty good. I only did it because when I bought a new center console, the cheap bastard didnt include the cover, so I had to salvage what was left of mine. I also thought of doing the same thing to all the rubbery coated stuff.
 
#1,855 · (Edited)
=================================================
::::::: Mod Name: Cigarette lighter stereo hissing sound magic trick
::::::: Why Worth It: no more hissing / revving engine sound coming from your speakers if you use an MP3 player charging on the Cigarette lighter
::::::: Cost: $5
::::::: Where to buy: any auto shop
::::::: Time required: 3 minutes
::::::: Difficulty: EASY !
::::::: DIY: this DIY only works for audio devices charging on the cigarette lighter port (you can try different application though, it's also commonly used on the MAF for accurate readings)
1- remove your audio device charging base from he cigarette lighter
2- spread some Dielectric grease on a cotton swap and apply it inside the lighter on every metal parts
3- put some too on the male connector if you want
4- replug and test. hissing sound gone !! miracle !!! :) (I got best result the next day, no idea why lol)
::::::: Picture(s):

=================================================
 
#1,857 ·
#1,858 ·
you really dont want to do that with just plain carbon steel, it'll end up rusting it pretty fast. Polished steel doesn't mean STAINLESS steel. You can fire up stainless and give it a flamed exhaust look pretty easily, but like i said with regular mild carbon steel, you'll burn the carbon out of the steel, and bring the iron closer to the surface which encourages rust...

im a metalworker btw...:beer:
 
#1,866 ·
I replaced my battery a few days back. I started to get the yellow top, but it's pricey. Instead, I got the next size up from the OEM sized one. It's a few inches longer and still has the recessed terminals like OEM. I had to remove the battery cover and side guard thing to get it in, but it still fits on the base.

I haven't googled yet but assume that a larger VAG auto will run this larger battery that I could score a cover from and pub on mine to make it look stock again. The new, larger battery has, IIRC, 100 more CCAs for the same price. Now I'll have to source a new cover.

My cheap mod of the month.
 
#1,874 ·
I think that Optima batteries only make 2 kinds. The red top(which is the smaller) and the yellow top(the bigger). Both are set up with top posts and side posts. But they can be mounted any way/where you want it. For example, you could mount it sideways in your fender well or upside down or how ever you can make it fit where ever. They're tough, too...and costs more than a normal conventional battery. Red-around the $130 mark, and the yellow-around $220 IIRC.

I had gone to a local, reputable sound shop looking for a decent capacitor so that when my L5 10s would hit, my lights wouldn't dim. Or when I operated my electric windows at night the dome light wouldn't dim...all the traits of a VW. He said he'd sell me whatever I wanted, but that it wouldn't help. He suggested the yellow top Optima and reccomends it to all his customers with big systems. Needless to say I just went on my merry way.
 
#1,875 ·
I think that Optima batteries only make 2 kinds. The red top(which is the smaller) and the yellow top(the bigger). Both are set up with top posts and side posts.
There are many types and sizes of the Optima batteries now. I have the Group 35 Red Top and it is a direct fit into the MKIV with the battery box cover and everything. There was also a Group 35 Yellow Top available when I purchased mine, but the Red Top was on sale for $120 making the $80 price difference not worth it.

Proof:
 
#1,886 ·
go wide

=================================================
::::::: Mod Name: wheel adapters
::::::: Why Worth It:looks great
::::::: Cost:$80 or more
::::::: Where to buy: if you live in SD.. go to Joe's tires in National city ...freekin great prices
::::::: Time required: 10 to 15min
::::::: Difficulty:none the guys there will install for free
::::::: DIY: make you measurements
::::::: Picture(s): yup yup
=================================================
great mod and makes you car look great...
prices may vary depending on the size you need..
the car is on 1" adapters..
they provided me with new lug nuts and let me test drive them before i bought them...

don't quote me on the price but i only paid $80 and that included install...price will vary....:thumbup:



 
#1,888 ·
yes, multiple things, everything from speed bumps at low speeds to chunks of rock out of a truck at like 50, and animals at varying speeds. no cracks but some decent scratches and gouges from the harder things.

and me living in wisconsin, ice chunks do happen in winter....
 
#1,891 ·
=================================================
::::::: Mod Name: Patterned Mirror Mod?
::::::: Why Worth It: looks cool
::::::: Cost: $3 bucks for the tape. probly cheaper if you just paint it though.
::::::: Where to buy: home depot, anywhere that sells vinyl tape
::::::: Time required: 10 mins-30 mins
::::::: Difficulty: 0-1
::::::: DIY: yeah
::::::: Picture(s):
=================================================

Another guy did this (its in the thread) and he painted his, probably looks better his way but i like it with the tape too.
 
#1,892 ·
Another guy did this (its in the thread) and he painted his, probably looks better his way but i like it with the tape too.
i was the one that did mine with paint



this guy also used vinyl tape...
kinda like painting the mirror but a lil different:
=================================================
::::::: Mod Name: Pinstripped Plaid Mirror
::::::: Why Worth It: Make Your Car Stand Out
::::::: Cost: $5-$15
::::::: Where to buy: autozone
::::::: Time required: 30 min
::::::: Difficulty: 2/10
::::::: DIY: Decide pattern and colors you want to use, pick up pinstripping tape from autozone or other auto parts store i used wide white and thing sliver. measure out where you want the the strips, cut the strips of pinstripping and apply, after trim ends with an exacto,i used the crack in the plastic to tuck the ends into and trim.
::::::: Picture(s):

=================================================
 
#1,896 ·
I did the same with vinyl. Took entirely too long, paint it :laugh:
holyjesus you cut and lined up all the little squares. i hope you were watching something entertaining.
 
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