rocketeer928 - My 2003 VW Jetta TDI

[shizzler]

Man, that car is freakin buried. Why did you run the snowthrower so close ?!?

Guys... just think how angry his wife is going to be if you validate his TDI blogging obsession by paying him for it!?! haha.

 

[rocketeer928]

Why??? Because I'm a stupid idiot, that's why! Just dumb, dumb, dumb. I bought a new set of clear side markers yesterday to replace the one I broke.

I need validation, and a little extra cash would be nice.

 

[NewTdi]

Payments will gladly be accepted from anyone. Just PM me and I'll give you my PayPal account information.

Check your Paypal ...

 

[rocketeer928]

Dude!! You sent me a buck. That's too funny! Thanks, friend.

Anybody else want to contribute? Ha, ha!

BTW, my Jetta lives again...

 

[NewTdi]

A buck for a good story teller in nothing! Now let us see your car living again!

 

[tothemax]

Karp... This is AWESOME!!! Just like up in the great white North when I was a kid... I have not seen snow like that since I was 14....

Make sure you enter that photo in next year's TDI Fest photo contest..

Now that you completed all the shoving... is she still pulling hard?

 

[rocketeer928]

Actually, we have had lousy weather (snow, ice, and even more snow) here for a few weeks now. So, instead of risking crashing my car (yes, I have snow tires) or hitting its lower lip on a chunk of ice and damaging it, I've been using my pickup for a while now. I'm sure the TDI still pulls hard, but I haven't experienced it much lately.

Remember the picture in Post Nr. 623 where I hit 500 miles while the fuel gauge needle was at the ½ mark? That was back on Dec 16; over a month ago. Well, due to the weather, doing a little work on the car in late Dec, and a 2-week winter home vacation, I still haven't filled the tank (it's around 680 miles now). That's how little I've been driving my TDI.

My dad thinks I should put the TDI in the garage for the winter and just drive my truck, due to how much time and $$$ I've put into the Jetta. He has a good point, but 18 mpg vs. 45+ mpg is a big hit in the wallet. Hopefully, we'll get a stretch of decent weather soon, so that I can plug in the Frost Heater and hit the road again.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Winter never lasts that long in So. New England. My wagon is actually my winter beater. The M-B gets parked. I would vote with your dad to keep the Jetta inside, however.

 

[rocketeer928]

Actually, what I would like to do is get a cheap, stock TDI as my winter car. But, my wife said "NO"...

 

[tothemax]

Actually, what I would like to do is get a cheap, stock TDI as my winter car. But, my wife said "NO"...

Stock !!!! HA HA HA!!! It would probably stay stock for the first five minutes after you bring it home ! Your wife's got you figured out!!

 

[rocketeer928]

Maybe 15 minutes... Her response is "why do we need a 4th vehicle"? Answer - Why not? If I was to get a beater then I would likely keep it "nearly" stock; honestly.

 

[1tdi]

You could just use the Taco on the days it actually snows, my dad has used the jetta for 90% of the winter so far, and takes the 4runner or Discovery on the days we get a blanket of snow. And the jetta doesnt have snow tires.

 

[rocketeer928]

That's basically what I do also.

 

[shizzler]

? why not still keep the jetta in garage... ? Do you have to go out and scrape the jetta windows, and start it dead cold, when you actually want to use it in the winter time?

Keeping your daily garaged in the winter time is the only way to go, IMO.

 

[rocketeer928]

Admission time

I actually value my Tacoma more than the Jetta TDI, so my choice is for it to be in the garage, along with my wife's car. I bought my black Tacoma 4×4 new in 2003, and it's been our third vehicle (yes, I'm spoiled/blessed) ever since. I have less than 24,000 miles on it, and plan to keep it for a very long time, Lord willing. Also, because we lived in Deutschland in 2007 for my work, the Tacoma and my wife's car didn't see any mileage, as they were stored on jack stands. I bought the Jetta TDI five days after I returned from the Fatherland.

So, the Jetta is relegated to the outdoors to shiver (she's covered with a new blanket of snow right now). I do have a Frost Heater, so the engine starts right up when I use that, and if needed, I have a very long, low-gauge extension cord to reach the Jetta in the far corner of my driveway (best place when snow throwing). Besides, the Jetta is much easier to clear the snow off of compared to the Tacoma with its height (I'm a short 5' 7"; my parents fault) and it Tonneau cover. Also, the book value on my Tacoma is much more than the Jetta, even though they are the same age.

Ideally, I want to build a workshop/New England country barn out back with an additional one bay garage. But, that's a few years away, if ever.

 

[shizzler]

Blasphemy! haha. It's ok rocket... we still accept you... I think.

Have you modded the tacoma at all? It's ok to post some pics of your other rides here too, IMO.

 

[1tdi]

You should just drop the ALH into the Taco, then you can have practicality and economy I know i'm still debating to throw one in the 4runner.

 

[rocketeer928]

My Tacoma

The only modifications are fog lamps, Line-X sprayon bedliner, and TruXedo tonneau cover. I use AMSOIL for the engine, transmission, and differentials. This spring I will be changing the timing and drive belts due to their being 7½ years old. My Tacoma now sports Firestone A/T tires, which are a huge improvement over the BF Goodrich tires that Toyota had installed.

I wish my truck and other vehicles were clean like this right now. It's one thing I don't like about winter.

There is a guy on-line that does professional conversions of the Tacoma to the diesel engine used throughout the world in the equivalent Helix. But, he wants over 10 grand, so that's not an option.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

A good friend of mine has exactly the same truck, TRD, same color. His has 23K on it. It looks as clean as yours most of the time. I think that body style Tacoma is one of the best small pickups ever.

 

[Bob_Fout]

When I was new-vehicle looking back in 2003, I really wanted a V6 Tacoma. (Was selling my 84 Jeep CJ-7 I'd bought from my dad). No one would loan me the $25K for one though.

 

[KITEWAGON]

Wow, very Tacoma. I think that you own the two vehicles with the highest resale value in the world (not that you'd ever want to sell). I desperately wanted a Tacoma for my spare 4x4 vehicle a couple years back but the resale values are just so high that I couldn't swing it. Ended up with an '02 Mazda B3000 instead. Nice enough truck, but it's no Tacoma.

 

[rocketeer928]

Chrysler Sebring Antenna

I read somewhere on the forum that the Chrysler Sebring mast antenna fits on my Jetta and can receive radio signals better than the OEM whip antenna. Since I primarily use the radio, as compared to other media, I decided to check it out. I stopped by the local dealer and ordered one for less than 5 bucks, including my contribution to Governor Malloy's budget.

So far, I'm pleased. I think the reception is a little better than before.

If you're interested, I bought Part Nr. 5064253AB

 

[n8ronJ]

The mast as in just the whip part? Or replacing the whole base too? Sounds very tempting for only $5. And I don't have to contribute to Gov. Malloy, I get the honor of contributing to Mr Cuomo (part 2...).

 

[rocketeer928]

Just the whip antenna that unscrews from the base. The original base is still there.

 

[AUGSX]

Your Car is amazing and this how to thread is also amazing. Ideas ideas ideas...

Now I just need to replenish the car fund, 5 spd swap has made the fund take a big hit.

 

[Nash_TDI]

Your Car is amazing and this how to thread is also amazing. Ideas ideas ideas...

Now I just need to replenish the car fund, 5 spd swap has made the fund take a big hit.

You are on the right track. You already have an 11mm pump in there!

 

[AUGSX]

And a few other things...

Thanks Nash.

 

[rocketeer928]

Your Car is amazing and this how to thread is also amazing. Ideas ideas ideas...

Now I just need to replenish the car fund, 5 spd swap has made the fund take a big hit.

Thanks friend. Except for installing the WaveTrac LSD I bought late last year, I'm pretty much done modifying my TDI. I have a woodworking project I MUST complete before the LSD goes in.

 

[AUGSX]

Ya I have a few projects I have to fit into the modding as well. New Baby, my honey do list just got multiplied by 10 but I must say she makes me very happy so it's all good.

 

[dieselfuel]

rocketeer928,

I just searched your thread here and couldn't find it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought I remeber you using the Evans HDTC waterless coolant and then draining it out and going back to G-12.

Wasn't that you?