casioqv
Veteran Member
I like to go camping in remote places with my 2001 Golf TDI, and thought it would be useful to make a thread where people can share advice on driving techniques and modifications useful for this. I will try to update this first post with links to comments later down which are particularly useful, and maybe create a FAQ later on.
Here are some notes:
ASR/EDL traction control by swapping ABS pump
You can substantially improve the traction of your MKIV TDI at low cost by just swapping the ABS pump as described here (http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=37354). ASR limits the throttle to control wheelspin by comparing front and rear axle speeds. EDL simulates a differential lock by applying the brakes to a spinning wheel, transferring the power to the other side.
After doing this I have found that the EDL isn't very aggressive on these cars, and you need to use high throttle to get lots of wheel speed on the spinning wheel before any substantial torque is transferred. The EDL system also totally fails when you are in deep mud or water, as the brakes don't grip well when submersed (first hand experience, unfortunately). Supposedly, the combination of EDL plus a limited slip differential will together allow much more effective torque transfer than either device by itself. Read my post below to see more about how the EDL works: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.php?p=5486755&postcount=8
Suspension flex
The MKIV/A4 cars have very little suspension flex, but so much weight in the front, that both front wheels will stay planted with uneven terrain, lifting only the rear wheel when flexed out, which really gives great traction over uneven surfaces. If you have too much weight in the back, you will lose this ability. You can also disconnect the front swaybar to increase flex, but again both front wheels will stay planted even without this.
As a test, I have driven one front wheel of my TDI golf up a steep loading ramp, and was able to get the car nearly 45 degrees, with both front wheels still planted and having full traction. One rear wheel was very high in the air.
Larger tires
I haven't tried this myself, but after reading all of the posts I could find on this, it seems that larger tires can be fit with the following progression of modifications:
205/70/15 on a stock car
205/75/15 with a 2" lift (e.g. Metalnerd kit)
215/75/15 with custom modified front struts, and working fender liners via heat gun (see here http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=423878)
Lift kits (suggested by BobnOH)
I haven't done this, but here are links to two commercial kits, and one DIY one
Metalnerd 1" and 2" kits: http://www.metalnerd.com/vwaudi-accessories/lift-kits
Evolution 1" lift kit: http://www.evolutionimport.com/1-inch-Lift-Kit-for-MK4-Golf-Jetta-New-Beetle-p/c1006.htm
DIY 2" Lift kit: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=264494
idparts lift springs + spacers
Chains/spikes spiders
I carry Spikes Spiders in my TDI. They are really good for snow/ice, but I found that they probably aren't useful for getting un-stuck offroad, because they are hard to get on if the wheel is sunk down in mud or sand. If you put them on before going through a low traction area, it will probably help a lot. They take under a minute to install and remove, and can be found cheap nowadays in MKIV/A4 wheel sizes, which are no longer very popular sizes on newer cars.
Skid plates and rock avoidance
A must for the TDI, as the oil pan is extremely fragile. Still, this is no replacement for carefully choosing a line that avoids rocks with the oil pan. It's essential for the driver to know where the lowest most vulnerable parts are (e.g. oil pan location) and choose a line through obstacles which protects them.
Recovery
Winches are hard to mount on these cars, and you will probably never find a situation where it would be useful. When you are stuck the weight is probably on delicate parts instead of the wheels, and pulling with a winch will cause damage. I really like the combination of three things: A Hi-Lift jack, a "lift mate" which lifts the wheel instead of the body, and some wood or ramps to put under the wheels. Edit: The 36" (shortest) Hi-Lift jack will fit width wise in an MKIV trunk, and can be safely strapped to the cargo hold-downs with motorcycle straps.
Here is a photo of successfully using this recovery method in soft sand, far from the road in Baja with my stock '87 Volvo. This worked immediately, after over an hour of trying to use a come-a-long/hand winch and getting nowhere. I've actually never had to do this in my TDI, it doesn't get stuck in sand as easily as the Volvo.
Links to other useful/related threads
Raising Car for Off-Road Crawling or Rally https://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=269310
Please post your experiences and information!
Here are some notes:
ASR/EDL traction control by swapping ABS pump
You can substantially improve the traction of your MKIV TDI at low cost by just swapping the ABS pump as described here (http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=37354). ASR limits the throttle to control wheelspin by comparing front and rear axle speeds. EDL simulates a differential lock by applying the brakes to a spinning wheel, transferring the power to the other side.
After doing this I have found that the EDL isn't very aggressive on these cars, and you need to use high throttle to get lots of wheel speed on the spinning wheel before any substantial torque is transferred. The EDL system also totally fails when you are in deep mud or water, as the brakes don't grip well when submersed (first hand experience, unfortunately). Supposedly, the combination of EDL plus a limited slip differential will together allow much more effective torque transfer than either device by itself. Read my post below to see more about how the EDL works: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.php?p=5486755&postcount=8
Suspension flex
The MKIV/A4 cars have very little suspension flex, but so much weight in the front, that both front wheels will stay planted with uneven terrain, lifting only the rear wheel when flexed out, which really gives great traction over uneven surfaces. If you have too much weight in the back, you will lose this ability. You can also disconnect the front swaybar to increase flex, but again both front wheels will stay planted even without this.
As a test, I have driven one front wheel of my TDI golf up a steep loading ramp, and was able to get the car nearly 45 degrees, with both front wheels still planted and having full traction. One rear wheel was very high in the air.
Larger tires
I haven't tried this myself, but after reading all of the posts I could find on this, it seems that larger tires can be fit with the following progression of modifications:
205/70/15 on a stock car
205/75/15 with a 2" lift (e.g. Metalnerd kit)
215/75/15 with custom modified front struts, and working fender liners via heat gun (see here http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=423878)
Lift kits (suggested by BobnOH)
I haven't done this, but here are links to two commercial kits, and one DIY one
Metalnerd 1" and 2" kits: http://www.metalnerd.com/vwaudi-accessories/lift-kits
Evolution 1" lift kit: http://www.evolutionimport.com/1-inch-Lift-Kit-for-MK4-Golf-Jetta-New-Beetle-p/c1006.htm
DIY 2" Lift kit: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=264494
idparts lift springs + spacers
Chains/spikes spiders
I carry Spikes Spiders in my TDI. They are really good for snow/ice, but I found that they probably aren't useful for getting un-stuck offroad, because they are hard to get on if the wheel is sunk down in mud or sand. If you put them on before going through a low traction area, it will probably help a lot. They take under a minute to install and remove, and can be found cheap nowadays in MKIV/A4 wheel sizes, which are no longer very popular sizes on newer cars.
Skid plates and rock avoidance
A must for the TDI, as the oil pan is extremely fragile. Still, this is no replacement for carefully choosing a line that avoids rocks with the oil pan. It's essential for the driver to know where the lowest most vulnerable parts are (e.g. oil pan location) and choose a line through obstacles which protects them.
Recovery
Winches are hard to mount on these cars, and you will probably never find a situation where it would be useful. When you are stuck the weight is probably on delicate parts instead of the wheels, and pulling with a winch will cause damage. I really like the combination of three things: A Hi-Lift jack, a "lift mate" which lifts the wheel instead of the body, and some wood or ramps to put under the wheels. Edit: The 36" (shortest) Hi-Lift jack will fit width wise in an MKIV trunk, and can be safely strapped to the cargo hold-downs with motorcycle straps.
Here is a photo of successfully using this recovery method in soft sand, far from the road in Baja with my stock '87 Volvo. This worked immediately, after over an hour of trying to use a come-a-long/hand winch and getting nowhere. I've actually never had to do this in my TDI, it doesn't get stuck in sand as easily as the Volvo.
Links to other useful/related threads
Raising Car for Off-Road Crawling or Rally https://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=269310
Please post your experiences and information!
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my wife's car is a dream in the snow and on the beach. Kind of why it's her car. That way I don't have to worry about her getting stuck. One of these days if I ever get ambitious enough I might import a 4motion super golf straight from Germany.
