Back behind the wheel of a TDI

[DaveyT]

After selling my 2010 Jetta back to VW, I finally found a 2003 (my 3rd TDI) and need some help finding the equipment I had done when I had my 2000 Jetta.
The individual who had it before me lowered it and I can't even get my jack under it. Besides finding the OEM springs, I need help finding the skid plate I had put on my 2000 as well. Can anyone point me to a site where I can find everything TDI?

 

[StevenT]

IDParts.com Deisel Geek

 

[DaveyT]

IDParts.com Deisel Geek

Thanks a million Steven

 

[vandermic07]

Cascade German is good too

 

[DaveyT]

Cascade German is good too

Thanks, I browsed around and they seem reasonably priced with free shipping on orders above $100.
The guy I bought this 03 Jetta from lowered it and I hate it. Can't get my jack under it and can't drive through a car wash. When winter comes, I'm worried driving on heavily iced roads, possibly doing damage underneath. The Spring set I found was like $170 for all four. It didn't say if they were OEM or not. Do you know if that's all they sell? On the 2000 I had years ago, I bought an evolution atlas skid plate to comfort me while driving. I'm thinking to get one for this 03 as well.

 

[vandermic07]

That set appears to be OEM. You will need to check the the struts. They if they are coilovers, they might be causing a low ride as well. Im not too sure about lowering kits and how they work.

 

[hskrdu]

It's easy enough to destroy the oil pan at stock height, any lower is just asking for trouble (but I know the vortex scene loves to lower). I would consider doing a suspension/steering refresh, as long as you're giving it new love. New springs with old shocks/struts or worn out bushings means you may be back in there soon. If my driving area included more than asphalt roads, I'd consider raising the ride height by an inch with some towing/heavy duty springs. Skid plates are still available, both from vendors and directly from some manufacturers. The Panzer plate from DieselGeek is currently NA, but there are others, including the Atlas Evolution that you mentioned. ECS Tuning also sells a steel version, but you'll have to compare how it mounts (and ECS is not a beloved vendor). The vendors which support Fred's all have lots of spring/suspension kits available, and good alternatives to OEM springs are out there- if buying from a trusted vendor both VW and aftermarket springs should be listed and noted. In addition to IDParts and others, don't forget metalmanparts.com (Marquette Automotive), as Dennis is also a member here and just revamped his website.

 

[DaveyT]

The vendors which support Fred's all have lots of spring/suspension kits available

It's been a few years since coming back to the TDI forum so please forgive me for asking who those trusted vendors are of Fred's. I think I'm going to want to raise it that extra inch above stock height. If anyone else out there has a similar model to mine and has had this kind of work done, advice is appreciated.

 

[DaveyT]

Also, looking at engine oil, I don't remember ever seeing the brand Liqui Moly before. Is this the best oil for my 03 Jetta TDI now?

 

[BobnOH]

You may find a skid plate for sale at
Private TDI Items for Sale/Wanted
I've had 2 TDIs, a 99.5 J and my current 2003 bug. The owners manual says pretty much any diesel oil meeting some spec (CG?), which includes dyno stuff. But we all like to use full synthetic in these VE engines. I use Rotella T6 5W40, because it's readily available. Liqui Moly makes some excellent oil, high end if you will, as do a few other companies.
Here's a little diddy may not have been here back when- VW TDI Search User contributed Google hack, great resource.

 

[hskrdu]

It's been a few years since coming back to the TDI forum so please forgive me for asking who those trusted vendors are of Fred's. I think I'm going to want to raise it that extra inch above stock height. If anyone else out there has a similar model to mine and has had this kind of work done, advice is appreciated.

I think they most mentioned above:
IDParts (formerly TDI Parts) is at

Diesel Parts Online | IDParts.com - Diesel Parts

IDParts.com the best diesel parts specialty store! Parts for VW TDI, Parts for Mercedes Diesel, Parts for Sprinter Vans and Parts for all Diesels

www.idparts.com

Peter is an active member here, and loves to talk suspension and springs:

IndigoBlueWagon

forums.tdiclub.com

Cascade German (formerly BoraParts, run by BleachedBora):
Aaron is an active member here:

BleachedBora

forums.tdiclub.com

Marquette Automotive, aka MetalMan parts
Dennis is an active member here, and his website has OEM springs

Metal Man

forums.tdiclub.com

There are a few vendors which focus on injectors and nozzles, and you probably remember some of those discussions. A search will be best!

Andrew Rodriguez of FixMyVW and Tune My Euro used to be active here, but not present since 2019:

AARodriguez Corp.

forums.tdiclub.com

There are some others, and a search will reveal a few other vendors. The guys from KermaTDI and RossTech still visit, and contribute when something peaks their interest. Other people will have more suggestions. RockAuto visits us in order to drop coupons, but don't expect a lively discussion as to the best springs for a TDI, much less substantive Q&A about your particular situation. The best vendors above will provide that.

 

[hskrdu]

Also, looking at engine oil, I don't remember ever seeing the brand Liqui Moly before. Is this the best oil for my 03 Jetta TDI now?

LM is a German company that produces many high-end motor oils and automotive products. Pricey, but high quality. For your 2003 (ALH) there are lots of good choices, and hundreds of hours of fun reading in the threads. Walmart carries Shell Rotella T6 full synth 5W40 for $22 a gallon, which is hard to beat. M1, Shell, Delo, LM, and lots of other good choices out there.

 

[hskrdu]

I think I'm going to want to raise it that extra inch above stock height. If anyone else out there has a similar model to mine and has had this kind of work done, advice is appreciated.

Many of our best MkIV discussions are now in the past, so searches will reveal more (and often better) information than current requests.

Here's a few of the definitive "lift" threads:

Beef on a Budget. VR6/Wagon springs

I know there is a lot of interest on this site about suspension modifications...and especially lifting. Many of the options for a full suspension redo can be very expensive, and for someone on a tight budget like me, were not really an option. Here is how I did a full suspension redo for right...

forums.tdiclub.com

DIY: 2" Lift Kit for Under $40 - EASY!

Although the Metalnerd kit looks VERY well made and overall not a bad deal for what you get I didn't want to jump through all the hoops to get one. Soooo.....I fabricated my own kit. VERY little fabrication is needed for this kind of a lift and I found some very user friendly durable...

forums.tdiclub.com

Show what you tow!

I'm about to install a Curt hitch on my '05 TDI wagon, planning to pull a small camping trailer, though not sure which one yet. Thinking of building my own from a small cargo trailer. I'm curious what other people are towing with their TDI's, so post up some picks of your TDI-trailer rig! :cool:

forums.tdiclub.com

If I lift 2", really, what's needed?

It's pretty obvious that things like the actual lifting blocks would be needed, but having built a couple of Jeeps for offroading, I know there's usually a whole passel of little things you don't count on that will need attention. So, Metalnerd has the 2" lift blocks, so that's solved, and I...

forums.tdiclub.com

 

[DaveyT]

I think they most mentioned above:
IDParts (formerly TDI Parts) is at

Diesel Parts Online | IDParts.com - Diesel Parts

IDParts.com the best diesel parts specialty store! Parts for VW TDI, Parts for Mercedes Diesel, Parts for Sprinter Vans and Parts for all Diesels

www.idparts.com

Peter is an active member here, and loves to talk suspension and springs:

IndigoBlueWagon

forums.tdiclub.com

Cascade German (formerly BoraParts, run by BleachedBora):
Aaron is an active member here:

BleachedBora

forums.tdiclub.com

Marquette Automotive, aka MetalMan parts
Dennis is an active member here, and his website has OEM springs

Metal Man

forums.tdiclub.com

There are a few vendors which focus on injectors and nozzles, and you probably remember some of those discussions. A search will be best!

Andrew Rodriguez of FixMyVW and Tune My Euro used to be active here, but not present since 2019:

AARodriguez Corp.

forums.tdiclub.com

There are some others, and a search will reveal a few other vendors. The guys from KermaTDI and RossTech still visit, and contribute when something peaks their interest. Other people will have more suggestions. RockAuto visits us in order to drop coupons, but don't expect a lively discussion as to the best springs for a TDI, much less substantive Q&A about your particular situation. The best vendors above will provide that.

That's all really helpful information. I think I'll reach out to Peter