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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

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::::::: 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
#2,710 ·
=================================================
::::::: Mod Name: Match Painted Plastic Strut Caps
::::::: Why Worth It: Looks cleaner
::::::: Cost: $30 for a can of match spray paint
::::::: Where to buy: local auto parts store
::::::: Time required: 2hrs
::::::: Difficulty: 3
::::::: DIY:
-fill in dimple in the center of the cap with some type of body filler or putty coat
-sand with 400grit and primer
-sand again with 400grit and paint with match paint
::::::: Picture(s):



=================================================
 
#2,712 ·
=================================================
::::::: Mod Name: Match Painted Plastic Strut Caps
::::::: Why Worth It: Looks cleaner
::::::: Cost: $30 for a can of match spray paint
::::::: Where to buy: local auto parts store
::::::: Time required: 2hrs
::::::: Difficulty: 3
::::::: DIY:
-fill in dimple in the center of the cap with some type of body filler or putty coat
-sand with 400grit and primer
-sand again with 400grit and paint with match paint
::::::: Picture(s):

=================================================
Looks good, but what happens when you need to take out the suspension? Something to think about.
 
#2,724 · (Edited)
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::::::: Mod Name: Black Sunvisors
::::::: Why Worth It: Cheap alternative to gli sunvisors
::::::: Cost: approximately $8
::::::: Where to buy: junk yard or eBay
::::::: Time required: 1 hr
::::::: Difficulty: 3/10
::::::: DIY: http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5504805-So-you-want-black-sunvisors-eh-(DIY)
::::::: Picture(s):

=================================================
 
#2,731 ·
just the bulbs i did it to mine. but dont think the highbeams will look yellow from every angle. it pretty much only looks yellow when your right in front of the car and your head is level the your headlights. like the angle that the picture above is taken in.
i might bo taking out my headlights and just painting the highbeams reflective chrome stuff with transparent yellow spraypaint so itll always be yellow. gotta be careful though that chrome is real delacate it comes right off if i mess up haha[/QUOTE]

yeah because it looks sweeter if the whole high beam lens is yellow, does it still look good on different angles?
 
#2,732 ·
yeah because it looks sweeter if the whole high beam lens is yellow, does it still look good on different angles?
at different angles it doesnt look yellow at all. its just normal haha. once i paint it itll look like that from all angles but i wont be able to do it for a few weeks. ill see if i can do a write up on how i did it. but should be pretty simple
 
#2,733 ·
=================================================
::::::: Mod Name: BMW Wolf Whistle Retrofit
::::::: Why Worth It: Replaces the half dieing stock VW alarm/keyless entry horn
::::::: Cost: $40 for BMW siren, wire, connectors, and relay
::::::: Where to buy: BMW dealer, ebay, auto wreckers, auto parts store
::::::: Time required: 4hrs
::::::: Difficulty: 6
::::::: DIY:
-Mount relay on the back of BMW siren
-Wire in the relay
-Mount siren in desired location under hood (will not fit in stock VW location)
-Remove cowl, air box, battery cover, black cap on wire duct, ram air duct on rad support (if your installing it in the same location as mine), and any other parts that may need to be removed if you want to install it in another location
-Run wires for new siren
-Remove old stock VW horn if desired (located under cowl, next to the ecu on the driver's side)
-Enjoy new lively siren
::::::: Picture(s): Video instead...



=================================================
 
#2,739 · (Edited)
::::::: Mod Name: Engine Cover Rubber Attachments for quick removal
::::::: Why Worth It: No need to unscrew to get the engine cover off, it simply pop off with little effort :thumbup:
::::::: Cost: $40
::::::: Where to buy: Online part stores, part number is 06A103951 06A103226 (that fits TDIs but not sure about other engines), got mine here http://idparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=770
::::::: Time required: 1 hour
::::::: Difficulty: Easy
::::::: DIY + Picture(s):

Remove your engine cover and screw in the bolts


Remove the gromet on the 3 engine cover holes and expand them, I used a dremel but i'm sure you can find a better/cleaner way


Using any kind of tool, push the rubber in (I had to remove that mushy and decomposing foam lol)


Enjoy effortless removal/install
 
#2,946 ·
::::::: Mod Name: Engine Cover Rubber Attachments for quick removal
::::::: Why Worth It: No need to unscrew to get the engine cover off, it simply pop off with little effort :thumbup:
::::::: Cost: $40
::::::: Where to buy: Online part stores, part number is 06A103951 06A103226 (that fits TDIs but not sure about other engines), got mine here http://idparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=770
::::::: Time required: 1 hour
::::::: Difficulty: Easy
::::::: DIY + Picture(s):
Did this mod! such a great addition to under hood. Constantly tricks local dubbers when i go to remove the cover with a quick yank. only to reveal my Race pipe and PD150 Intake Mani.
Great Mod.

KEEP THE MODS FLOWING
 
#2,740 ·
Killmats, I love that! I remember when I first worked on my car it took me forever to get those OEM ones back on, ended up breaking one and had to buy a new one. (spent an hour looking in the engine bay for it.. no luck) Now, after countless hundreds of times needing to grab a phillips and centering them I take it as a sense of pride it ONLY takes me 10-15 secs to get all of them back on. (maybe it's me or my engine cover, but they never ever line up right and need to constantly re-lift, re-center each time for each one...)

Would buy that in a heartbeat but they are a tad expensive since I would need 4... even if they fit my 1.8T. Anyone else have a more ghetto replacement? :D
 
#2,743 ·
I'm sure you would be fine with 3 rubber and one blank hole, but agreed, $40 is kinda of $$$ for what you get. I'm sure it can be done with some cheap stuff from the part store, just gotta be creative :):beer:

Kilimats hve you seen wingnut's engine cover mod on tdi club? yours look much sleeker but just a thought http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?p=507790
Nice mod indeed, thats what i call being creative :thumbup::thumbup:
 
#2,744 · (Edited)
=================================================
::::::: Mod Name: Emergency cell phone
::::::: Why Worth It: in case of a emergency when you don't have ur actual phone on you or u don't have one at all :rolleyes:
::::::: Cost: $40
::::::: Where to buy: kmart/walmart etc.
::::::: Time required: hmmm. depends on the traffic and how long's the line at the store
::::::: Difficulty: easy
::::::: DIY: buy the phone and put some money in it (charge it) , keep it in ur car for emergency reasons (its a good thing to have a charger for it in the car as well and save some numbers in it)
::::::: Picture(s):

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