parts interchangeability thread/junkyard tuning

[emkaytree]

Modification = bolt on?

[VDub2625]

Modification = bolt on?

This is supposed to mean...?

This has been a well needed thread for a long time.

Thanks, and double thanks for the helpful info

By "grab handles", I meant the ones in the door. Is this what you were referring to also? The passat door grab handles fit? Or did you mean oh **** handles?

Ah yes forgot the bubble AC, defrost, and rear window switches. I'm not sure what you mean by PCB/resistor based, but I do know that the early switches had AC NORM and MAX (AC+recirc), instead of just AC and RECIRC. I perfer the later style All heater panels have the "AIRcondition" logo, but it's blacked out with tape on cars with the "AC" switch, and lights up on the cars with the NORM/MAX switch.

I did not know Mk4 wheels fit easily. I'm intrigued. I'd love to have wheel-mounted light up cruise, if possible. Did Mk4s have a 3 spoke with wheel-mounted cruise? What mods are required for a Mk4 wheel swap?

"RPM window switch to have the shift rod active", do you mean the runner length flap mentioned earlier? I agree, I wonder how hard it would be to build an RPM switched relay.

What do you mean by rotor offsets? I was talking about swapping the whole suspension in for bigger brakes, the knuckles and all are required for 11" 5 lug?

I'll go back and change my first post once these are sorted out

[corrado1013]

Have Drivers Edition parts been mentioned?

Also, are you trying to keep it to strictly VW parts? There's the whole Audi/VW thing too.

Either way, some mid-90's Audi models had Girling 60 dual piston calipers and will work with your 4-lugger as long as you have the Audi (or Corrado G60) carriers and rotors.

[JohnStamos]

By "grab handles", I meant the ones in the door. Is this what you were referring to also? The passat door grab handles fit? Or did you mean oh **** handles?

Sorry, I assumed you meant the Oh Sh*t handles.

There are 2 styles of the door grab handles as well. One is a 2 piece setup, and was on the early cars, and the other is one piece. They interchange with each other.

Ah yes forgot the bubble AC, defrost, and rear window switches. I'm not sure what you mean by PCB/resistor based,

Inside the switch, they are built differently then the other switches, and a a much larger PITA to change the LED color in.


What mods are required for a Mk4 wheel swap?

You have to drill a few holes in the base plate so the Mk3 clockspring fits, so the airbag will work. Takes 5 mins to take care of. Same as B5-B6? Passat wheels, many Audi A3/4/8 ect wheels, ect ect.

"RPM window switch to have the shift rod active", do you mean the runner length flap mentioned earlier? I agree, I wonder how hard it would be to build an RPM switched relay.

Yep. Its super easy. Just use any old adjustable RPM switch. MSD makes a few, both pill style, and rotary style. Use it to trigger a vacuum solenoid (you can use the Mk4 one, or any really), and you are done. No need to relay it, its a super low amp draw solenoid.

What do you mean by rotor offsets? I was talking about swapping the whole suspension in for bigger brakes, the knuckles and all are required for 11" 5 lug?

For the base suspension cars, the easy option is G60 front brakes (4bolt 11"). To swap to early 11" or late 11.3" 5 lug, you need to go full plus suspension. Control arms, sway bar/endlinks (if running one), knuckles, axles, hubs, balljoints, ect ect. You also can't use early 11" Vr6 parts, with g60 rotors on a base suspension car, as the rotor offsets, and the caliper/carrier offset/opening are different.

[JohnStamos]

Either way, some mid-90's Audi models had Girling 60 dual piston calipers and will work with your 4-lugger as long as you have the Audi (or Corrado G60) carriers and rotors.

Those aren't an upgrade. They add a TON of unsprung weight, the pads don't fit the rotor correctly, they ruin the pedal feel with the stock size MC, and they offer no increase in braking over stock calipers with the tiny swept area present.

[corrado1013]

Those aren't an upgrade. They add a TON of unsprung weight, the pads don't fit the rotor correctly, they ruin the pedal feel with the stock size MC, and they offer no increase in braking over stock calipers with the tiny swept area present.

Good to know. You may have just saved me from wasting my time rebuilding a set

[VDub2625]

Have Drivers Edition parts been mentioned?

Also, are you trying to keep it to strictly VW parts? There's the whole Audi/VW thing too.

Either way, some mid-90's Audi models had Girling 60 dual piston calipers and will work with your 4-lugger as long as you have the Audi (or Corrado G60) carriers and rotors.

Driver's Edition (and fake DE) parts would be:
Red or blue stitched steering wheel, shift boot, and e-brake boot
golf ball shift knob
silver e-brake button
and??


Audi parts are welcome! When working with Audi brakes, though, you need to remember the FWD models used 4x108 usually, and the quattro 4x100 models used some odd parts sometimes. Here's a thread from the Mk2 forum I made:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5397876
As you can see, I like these kinds of threads

THough, as mentioned in the thread I linked above, I think VR carriers are the same as 4 lug, meaning all you'd need to swap to 11" 4 lug is a set of VR carriers, and Corrado rotor and pads (autozone), the caliper is the same. Any confirmation on this? i took apart a set in the junkyard once and IIRC it fit.

[MKIIIGloryDays]

Even though MYGTI_MA found one in a junkyard, I'm still not 100% convinced, as it's the ONLY time i've seen it on a seat... it leaves the trunk completely unsecure. It could have been modded from the console fairly easily.

I can verify the lower left driver's seat trunk release switch. It's in a '94 Jetta GL that I'm parting out. It threw me a little when I was trying to get the trunk open as I'd never seen it before. No evidence of modding on this car, owned by an older lady. Pictures if necessary?

The electrical system on the car is still mostly intact, is this something I should check out? (roll window down, lock car, try to release trunk with button, etc?)

[VDub2625]

If you could, it'd be nice just to see. Also if you can get the part number from that seat plastic that'd be fantastic.

[JohnStamos]

Though, as mentioned in the thread I linked above, I think VR carriers are the same as 4 lug, meaning all you'd need to swap to 11" 4 lug is a set of VR carriers, and Corrado rotor and pads (autozone), the caliper is the same. Any confirmation on this? i took apart a set in the junkyard once and IIRC it fit.

Early Plus suspension carriers differ between Vr6 Corrado/Passat and 93-95 Vr6 Jetta/Golf. The Jetta/Golf have a different offset then the Corrado/Passat carriers needed for 11" on base suspension (TDI/ABA/1.8 8v) There are also 2 different styles of early 11" Mk3 carriers.

The Base calipers are also thinner then the calipers needed for 11"(Vr6 Passat/G60&Vr6 Corrado), as they are designed for a thinner rotor. The 93-95 Vr6 Jetta/Golf Calipers are unique to themselves.

With wornout junkyard Pads/Rotors, it will all fit together, but not with brand new parts.

[VDub2625]

I'm a little confused... I tried a late passat (B4) carrier on a Mk3 and it lined up good. I don't think it would be bad to shave some pads down if this worked.

When you say 11", you mean VR6 5 lug brakes, right? Becuase 11" G60 and 11" VR6 Corrado are very different setups too.

[MYGTI_MA]

If you could, it'd be nice just to see. Also if you can get the part number from that seat plastic that'd be fantastic.

i can get the parts number as well.

[MKIIIGloryDays]

If you could, it'd be nice just to see. Also if you can get the part number from that seat plastic that'd be fantastic.

I'll try it sometime this week...

[VDub2625]

I found out that the rearview mirror is NOT a hardtop/Cabrio thing, but in fact a 93-95/96-02 thing. Later cars used the "hidden" mount style rearview mirror. What else changed at that time? I know it was a lot (OBD1/2, cluster, front strut mounts, etc).

Can someone offer some details on speaker grilles? The door and dash are plastic in my Cabby, but it seems all other dash speakers use metal grilles? I've also seen metal door grilles, but mostly plastic ones. Any details on this?

I also forgot to mention door pockets. THe (front) door pockets of US cars seem to come in several styles:
leathergrain, with or without light and carpeting
sandgrain (for Mk3.5), without light and carpeting, but with or without lock button (99.5 has no lock button, 00-02 do).

[vacuumnoise]

great thread, subscribed

[87veedub]

I have Audi 90 seats in my car which was a direct swap.

[LG6R]

I found out that the rearview mirror is NOT a hardtop/Cabrio thing, but in fact a 93-95/96-02 thing. Later cars used the "hidden" mount style rearview mirror. What else changed at that time? I know it was a lot (OBD1/2, cluster, front strut mounts, etc).

HA! What else changed? Holy crap where to begin...
While I realize much of this might have already been covered, bear with me. I'll try to imagine walking around the car in my head. And of course I'll still miss a bunch of things or it'll come to me later.

Exterior:

96: changed front grille from square 2-piece grille to 1-piece curved grille
97: changed hubcap style
94.5: changed moldings from clip-in textured to stick-on painted
97: removed the gas door lock actuator (earlier cars has gas doors that locked with the central locking system)
96: changed the JettaIII and GOLFIII emblem to plain old Jetta/Golf
97: changed the third brake light from the long and thin brake light to the boring short and fat brake light
96: changed the fender-mounted antenna from a sleek telescoping antenna to the fixed ugly 1-piece
97: changed from awesome adjustable 2-nozzle windshield washer nozzles to non-adjustable flat-stream nozzles

Interior:

97: changed steering wheel and airbag style from square to more rounded and bloated style
94.5: changed from bubble dash to standard dashboard
94.5: changed from bubble cluster to standard cluster
96.5: added low fuel light and rear fog light icon to instrument cluster, while doing away with the "VDO electronic" logo on the face.
96.5: Airbag light was relocated from next to the headlight switch to the instrument cluster
97: silver-faced cluster became available on special trim models
94.5: headlight switch changed from 3-position to just Off/On
94.5: DRL's added (parking lights only, no headlights)
96: DRL's changed from parking lights only to headlights only
96: No longer an option to have power mirrors with manual window cranks
96: changed wiper relay from the awesome #99 programmable intermittent wiper relay to the crappy fixed 6-sec intermittent #19 and #196 wiper relay
94.5: upper glovebox went away to make room for an airbag
96.5: lower glovebox appeared. It took VW 2 years to figure out how to put a glovebox into a car
94.4: seatbelts changed from automatic shoulder belts to manual belts with introduction of airbag
94.5: center console and rear cupholder assembly changed
94: changed location of OBD port from behind A/C switches to above cigar lighter
96: central locking button added to dash
96: changed rear reading lights from being on all models to only special trim models
96: changed rear speaker location from the doors to the rear parcel shelf
96: removed tweeters from rear door cards
94: changed door cards from all-fuzzy to half-fuzzy
96: removed carpeting and reflector from bottom of GLX door cards

And then there's the Mk3.5 cabrio stuff. A proper cabin filter, blue-lit black/red needle clusters, 3-spoke steering wheel and airbag, red lighting, chrome ebrake, chrome door handles, chrome locks, dimple dash, different front end, different rear end, blah blah blah you guys know the story.

[LG6R]

97: Remote keyless entry became an option
98: Remote keyless entry became standard

[VeeDubGolf]

Awesome thread.

[VDub2625]

Damn, thanks for all that info! I'd love to pick your brain more, you seem to know about the Mk3s like I do the Mk2s

[Mowgli87]

Great thread guys!

I just picked up a Jetta that needs some TLC, so I'm kind of new to the mk3 world. I'm familiar with the mk4 and mk2 platforms.

One question/suggestion: I'm not sure how much goes into a front end swap. I currently have a Golf hood, but no grille or headlights. What else do I need?

[TheJungle]

If your tired of the sh*tty vr6 coil pack, a coil pack from any v6 ford newer than 03 will bolt right on with a little wire splicing and a little bracket. Even uses the stock spark plug wires
Oh and you can get almost 30mpg ON A VR6!

[Hurt]

Great thread guys!

I just picked up a Jetta that needs some TLC, so I'm kind of new to the mk3 world. I'm familiar with the mk4 and mk2 platforms.

One question/suggestion: I'm not sure how much goes into a front end swap. I currently have a Golf hood, but no grille or headlights. What else do I need?

You'll need a Jetta/Golf hood, headlights, and grille. If you want GTI dual chamber headlights, you'll need to switch your headlight harness.

[vacuumnoise]

I have Audi 90 seats in my car which was a direct swap.

[VDub2625]

I forgot to mention, that 91-92 GTIs in Canada (both 8v and 16v) came with a Mk3 red "Golf GTI" badge, it even has a Mk3 part number. Would be fun for a badge swap

[Hurt]

I have Audi 90 seats in my car which was a direct swap.

Is that the Audi 90 backseat, too? I know the fronts from the quattro 90 are an awesome upgrade from the MK3 seats, but getting a backseat to match the goofy fabric is hard. If I can get a audi 90 backseat to work.. well, I'll be very happy.

[leecatd8209]

Are Cabby doors one off?

I'm having a hard time finding Cabby parts around here and I need a driver's side door. Can I just put a 2dr Golf door on?

[JohnStamos]

Are Cabby doors one off?

I'm having a hard time finding Cabby parts around here and I need a driver's side door. Can I just put a 2dr Golf door on?

Both the doors and fenders are Cabby only.

[leecatd8209]

Well that's a downer

[QuantumSyncro]

I have a non Airbag 94 Jetta, it has the trunk pop in the glovebox.

That's where mine was, I had a 94 Golf in dusty mauve with beaver dash and door mounted belts. The console / steering wheel was like the one in the brochure picture.

Also, some Canadian mk3's got another non-airbag wheel, three spoke type, you don't see it very often. I've seen a few on here FS in leather.

Also, there are at least two upper glovebox doors, one with center pad and one without, and I've seen one with an oddly placed handle too.

I've also seen a couple vento dash cars that came with light switches with fog option even though the cars didn't have fogs. I've also seen the std headlight switch too.

[VDub2625]

I keep forgetting to mention this, but I think that the Mk3.5 alarm modules are a slightl upgrade for Mk3 owners becuase they dim/delay the dome light like Mk4s and the remotes shouldn't cost any extra, as long as you get the right FCC ID.

Also, the 00-02 alarm boxes do have a slightly different connector, so be aware of that. They come with external antennas to amplify the range. I just added a wire to my existing antenna and I can get my 99.5 alarm box from a good distance.

[VrFiend]

Where is the external antenna for the alarm module? Is it connected to the radio antenna? Curious about the wiring for this since my alarm only seems to work within 5 feet of my car with new batteries and good known working remotes.

Are we doing bolt ons only or are we including modified parts?

Modified, a mk2 canister coil works as a replacement for the aba coil. Following the msd canister diy, I managed to use a mk2 canister coil for my 00 cabby and it has been extremely more reliable than the mk3 coils.

[VDub2625]

Funny, I installed a Mk3 ABA coil in my Mk2 becuase it looked better A 16v coil is a better choice as it includes the power stage unit on the coil bracket.

I have not payed attention to the antenna in Cabbys, though the wiring diagrams suggests it's loose.

[87veedub]

Is that the Audi 90 backseat, too? I know the fronts from the quattro 90 are an awesome upgrade from the MK3 seats, but getting a backseat to match the goofy fabric is hard. If I can get a audi 90 backseat to work.. well, I'll be very happy.

Sorry for the super late response No that is not an Audi 90 backseat. It is a gti leather seat and no it doesn't match exactly

[VDub2625]

Bump to this... found soemthing very interesting in the junkyard but I'm going to wait until the mod is done to post...