2004 tdi beetle: taller coil springs/struts, other VW part numbers?

ArchivalAudio

Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2016
Location
Eugene, Oregon
TDI
2004 Beetle TDI Malone 1.5 Tune
Lifted 2004 tdi beetle: with taller coils struts and shocks

Well, I am in need to lifting or raising my 2004 Biodiesel TDI Beetle, soon to have a Malone stage 1.5 tune.
I tow a couple of small trailers on occasion ( a 5x10' teardrop or a 4x8' utility) and like to visit some less than paved roads here in Oregon on occasion.
I've been searching and reading a ton of threads and posts, but I am hoping someone else with knowledge can point me in the correct direction. I have fount a ton of lowering kits but I need to go the other way, I've already damaged my front grill in a farm field "parking lot" and had my skid-plate torn off due faulty installation after an oil change at a dealer and then driving on some bumpy grass and gravel roads.
Preferably I'd find complete assemblies Struts and coils that can be installed in my beetle from another VW model that could give me a 2" lift. Or perhaps the taller coils and struts to be assembled, I'd prefer to not need a spring compressor tool, but will go that route if necessary.
That being said I'd also prefer not to use spacers such as the Metal Nerd http://www.metalnerd.com/cat05.htm or the
http://www.evolutionimport.com/1-inch-Lift-Kit-for-MK4-Golf-Jetta-New-Beetle-p/c1006.htm , though I have some interest in them...
I'm looking for something like the 2" FRANKENBUILT MK4 Lift Kit2" FRANKENBUILT MK4 Lift Kit
or part numbers to produce this myself.
Found this thread for lifting a Golf http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=313121 and wondered what numbers to search to lift my beetle.
Any insights would be helpful.
Thanks in advance.
--Ian
 
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ArchivalAudio

Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2016
Location
Eugene, Oregon
TDI
2004 Beetle TDI Malone 1.5 Tune
so I found a couple of options on IdParts dot com
a complete spring set for the Jetta wagon:
http://www.idparts.com/complete-spring-set-a4-jetta-wagon-p-4822.html

and this Lift Spring Set (A4 Jetta Wagon) which might have more promise:
http://www.idparts.com/lift-spring-set-a4-jetta-wagon-p-5966.html

They state:
This is a lift spring set of HD & towing springs for an A4 Jetta Wagon. This kit will provide about a 1" lift in front and a 1.5-2" lift in rear.

Front springs are from a VR6 Jetta Wagon automatic, the highest-rate OE front springs ever made. The rear springs are the highest weight-range springs from the European HD/towing package.

For maximum front lift add the strut spacers available below.
simple front spacers here: http://www.idparts.com/strut-spacer-individual-a4-p-699.html

Will these springs fit a 04 Beetle GLS TDI?

Anyone with any experience lifting a beetle?

thanks
 

AnotherPerson

Veteran Member
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Oct 24, 2015
Location
New Orleans
TDI
1999 Beetle
I have the suplex vr6 springs on the front of my beetle. Debating the tow springs they list for the beetle for mine to add some stiffness to the back. I also didn't want to go the spaced route. Vr6 springs and bilstein a4 struts on the front turned out nice for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

ArchivalAudio

Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2016
Location
Eugene, Oregon
TDI
2004 Beetle TDI Malone 1.5 Tune
I have the suplex vr6 springs on the front of my beetle. Debating the tow springs they list for the beetle for mine to add some stiffness to the back. I also didn't want to go the spaced route. Vr6 springs and bilstein a4 struts on the front turned out nice for me.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks I'll see if I can find a number for the a4 struts... If you have any further info that would be appreciated.
 

AnotherPerson

Veteran Member
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Oct 24, 2015
Location
New Orleans
TDI
1999 Beetle
Sorry for the delay. Just noticed this post in the odd forum. Idparts.com and look under front springs vr6


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Drnknmnky13

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2010
Location
D.C.
TDI
2002 Golf 5spd, 2014 Passat DSG
Another- what are you using for the rear? I'm fine with stock spring rates up front. But want some stiffer springs out back for towing.

Although that kit from ID looks promising.
 

ArchivalAudio

Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2016
Location
Eugene, Oregon
TDI
2004 Beetle TDI Malone 1.5 Tune
I found this DIY thread else where, though the video shows an older jetta with slightly different struts. http://www.myturbodiesel.com/wiki/strut-and-shock-absorber-replacement-for-mk4-vw/

I was hoping to find a shop locally here in Eugene to perform the replacement of stuts/shocks and coils. that does not seem to be a reality so I may be doing it myself.

I have contacted ID Parts and will be using the following:
Front Springs PAIR (A4 Jetta Wagon VR6)
SUPLEX Germany
OEM Part Number: 1J0411105CD
Manufacturer Number: 39287 2blue2white
http://www.idparts.com/front-springs-pair-a4-jetta-wagon-vr6-p-4368.html

Rear Towing Springs PAIR (A4 Jetta Sedan)
SUPLEX Germany
OEM Part Number: 1J0511115AN
Manufacturer Number: 39193
http://www.idparts.com/rear-towing-springs-pair-a4-jetta-sedan-p-4225.html

in front also :
Strut Spacer Individual (A4)
OEM VW
OEM Part Number: 1J0412311A
Manufacturer Number: 1J0412311A
http://www.idparts.com/strut-spacer-individual-a4-p-699.html

Bilstein HD Strut and Shock Set (A4)
Bilstein
Manufacturer Number: VE34407 BE32623
http://www.idparts.com/bilstein-hd-strut-and-shock-set-a4-p-593.html

Suspension Installation Kit with Mounts (A4)
IDParts
http://www.idparts.com/suspension-installation-kit-with-mounts-a4-p-4806.html

Possibly
3/4in LIFT Rear Spring Spacer pr, Mk4 (Polyurethane)
http://autotech.com/index.php/new-beetle/1-8t/suspension/3-4in-lift-rear-spring-spacer-pr-mk4-polyurethane.html

Also getting these tools:

Metalnerd Strut Spreader Tool (A4)(A5)
Metalnerd
http://www.idparts.com/metalnerd-strut-spreader-tool-a4a5-p-400.html

Metalnerd 21+22mm Strut Wrench
Metalnerd
OEM Part Number: MN2122
Manufacturer Number: MN2122
http://www.idparts.com/metalnerd-2122mm-strut-wrench-p-932.html

Likely this spring compressor:
OEMTOOLS 25550 MacPherson Strut Spring Compressor
https://www.amazon.com/OEMTOOLS-25550-MacPherson-Spring-Compressor/dp/B000CMDPLM/ref=pd_lpo_469_bs_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=ZJGA5Z3PQGNBHYMAPDXQ&th=1

Any tips or suggestions to removing or installing front struts and coils? and or rear shocks and coils?

thanks
--Ian
 

ArchivalAudio

Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2016
Location
Eugene, Oregon
TDI
2004 Beetle TDI Malone 1.5 Tune
Ian, how did this work out?
I wish I could say it was done and it went great. However I am currently involved in multiple home projects...
I will be waiting until the days of cold rain and snow are behind us. Likely I won't tackle this project until April. I've got to make room in the garage to do this project as I know it will likely take 5x longer then I expect and will happen over the course of multiple days.


Again... any tips or suggestions, especially for the front struts and coil removal and installation would be helpful.
--Ian
 

RexNICO

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2013
Location
South West OH
TDI
2011 Tiguan, 2011 Q7
I wish I could say it was done and it went great. However I am currently involved in multiple home projects...
I will be waiting until the days of cold rain and snow are behind us. Likely I won't tackle this project until April. I've got to make room in the garage to do this project as I know it will likely take 5x longer then I expect and will happen over the course of multiple days.


Again... any tips or suggestions, especially for the front struts and coil removal and installation would be helpful.
--Ian
To be honest, I'd suggest sourcing knuckles with the removable caliper carrier and build the complete assembly to be swapped in all at once. I'm talking from ball joint to top of strut. Of course if you've recently replaced some of these parts I won't makes sense, but if you haven't replacing all of this at once will give you a fresh front suspension and allows you to work on the pieces as time allows.
 

eddieleephd

Top Post Dawg
Joined
May 27, 2012
Location
Battle Ground, Wa
TDI
2002 jetta Wagon
My .02:
Don't forget to add the installation kit and replace everything attached.
http://www.idparts.com/suspension-installation-kit-with-mounts-a4-p-4806.html

I would also do the perch's
http://www.idparts.com/front-spring-top-perch-a3b4a4-p-1193.html

No reason to leave parts out!
This way you can assemble the struts ahead of removing the wheels and easily do the front install in just a few hours using the strut spreader.

I did the steering knuckle and not having the spreader made it a PITA. Next time I know.

You could get away without the perch.
I would never, under any circumstances, recommend not to replacing the parts included in the install kit when doing new suspension!

How happy would you be if you had to pull them out just to do the bearings?
 

bobbiemartin

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2012
Location
Jacksonville, FL
TDI
2010 Tiguan TDI 4Motion, Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD
If you buy the spring perches, get a pair of these nuts as well. With all the parts you can assemble the struts before you start on the car. Then all you have to do is remove the entire strut assembly and fit the new assembly. Saves a lot of time.
 

eddieleephd

Top Post Dawg
Joined
May 27, 2012
Location
Battle Ground, Wa
TDI
2002 jetta Wagon
If you buy the spring perches, get a pair of these nuts as well. With all the parts you can assemble the struts before you start on the car. Then all you have to do is remove the entire strut assembly and fit the new assembly. Saves a lot of time.
I thought those nuts were included in the installation kit as complete bolt set. Correct me if I am wrong because I need to know if they're not too.
But after looking again I believe your correct in recommending them.
 

bobbiemartin

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Location
Jacksonville, FL
TDI
2010 Tiguan TDI 4Motion, Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD
I thought those nuts were included in the installation kit as complete bolt set. Correct me if I am wrong because I need to know if they're not too.
But after looking again I believe your correct in recommending them.
You can call them and verify but I do not believe they are included. Typically you reuse the nuts and spring perches.
 

ArchivalAudio

Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2016
Location
Eugene, Oregon
TDI
2004 Beetle TDI Malone 1.5 Tune
My .02:
Don't forget to add the installation kit and replace everything attached.
http://www.idparts.com/suspension-installation-kit-with-mounts-a4-p-4806.html

I would also do the perch's
http://www.idparts.com/front-spring-top-perch-a3b4a4-p-1193.html

No reason to leave parts out!
This way you can assemble the struts ahead of removing the wheels and easily do the front install in just a few hours using the strut spreader.

I did the steering knuckle and not having the spreader made it a PITA. Next time I know.

You could get away without the perch.
I would never, under any circumstances, recommend not to replacing the parts include
d in the install kit when doing new suspension!

How happy would you be if you had to pull them out just to do the bearings?
Thanks, Yes I already was planning on ordering the Suspension Installation Kit with Mounts (A4). I did not have the perches in my list but that makes sense to replace them too.
Appreciate it.
Also found that I might want to get, Rear Lower Spring Seat (A4)
http://www.idparts.com/rear-lower-spring-seat-a4-p-1345.html?osCsid=93d05453d77f064f9b55148cff01c288

--Ian
 

ArchivalAudio

Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2016
Location
Eugene, Oregon
TDI
2004 Beetle TDI Malone 1.5 Tune
If you buy the spring perches, get a pair of these nuts as well. With all the parts you can assemble the struts before you start on the car. Then all you have to do is remove the entire strut assembly and fit the new assembly. Saves a lot of time.
Yes, of course, I found these in a subsequent suspension search, Also good to get new top nuts, and replace new. You never know when you can run into issues removing a nut not so neatly and it ends up totally mangled.

Great tip.
Thanks
 
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ArchivalAudio

Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2016
Location
Eugene, Oregon
TDI
2004 Beetle TDI Malone 1.5 Tune
Finally did int lift... installed;
Front Springs PAIR (A4 Jetta Wagon VR6) SUPLEX + Strut Spacer Individual (A4)
Rear Towing Springs PAIR (A4 Jetta Sedan) SUPLEX
Bilstein HD Strut and Shock Set (A4)

see:

I realize the camera angle is not the same , or int he same place / view, but you get the idea.

I have others photos of the install but not many useful ones. I will post a few more of the install soon.

My takeaway is that yes the front passenger side strut was a pain to remove and then re assemble that side of the car... I started there. Then the rest was easier. the rear springs were taller and a bit difficult to install too but easier then the front passenger.
 

ArchivalAudio

Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2016
Location
Eugene, Oregon
TDI
2004 Beetle TDI Malone 1.5 Tune
Lifted is the way to go! I made my lift for my wagon... Check out this page! Your Beetle looks Great! https://www.facebook.com/groups/555752681247650/
Thanks!
I think I am going to like the extra clearance... my lower grille would often run into curbs or parking bumpers if I pulled into a parking space too far. Should happen any longer.

Very nice lift on your wagon!
Sent request to join FB group
--Ian
 
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ArchivalAudio

Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2016
Location
Eugene, Oregon
TDI
2004 Beetle TDI Malone 1.5 Tune
Here is the 2004 VW beetle TDI malone 1.5 tune Lifted with our 2012 LittleGuy Silver Shadow teardrop on the way to the coast for Mother's Day weekend. Loaded and level!
 
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