My 2002 Jolf (Golf w/Jetta front)

[SFHGolfTDI]

Figured it was time I posted some pictures. I don't have a lot of performance upgrades (yet) besides a tune, but I have done a lot to improve the aesthetics and interior with OEM and OEM+ upgrades and some other goodies over the years (see signature for a list).


(Can you find the kitty in this picture?)







It started life as an ordinary 2002 Golf from San Diego, clean, no rust. Previous owner had resprayed bumper, hood, fenders because of a minor collision, so I found a Jetta wagon owner on Vortex willing to swap front ends and got a clean original German paint Jetta front. I like the look, too (though I think Golf lighting is better):







Next up, couldn't stand the velour seats which caused me back pain and loved lint, peeling interior, etc. so installed GTI heated leather, and a mix of various GLI /.:R trim options (GLI perforated 3-spoke wheel & e-brake, .:R-line shifter w/perforated boot, full aluminum GLI trim, TT pedals, Passat rear headrests, Passat homelink visor):




9/2/2015 - Window tint, 35% ceramic all around. Critical for the CA sun:

Touareg/Q5 twin jet rear aero wiper and motor mod

Custom 2" hitch that mounts like the OEM euro hitches

 

[tongsli]

Did you rewire your headlights? How does the high beam work now?

 

[Big Swole]

Interesting..

I prefer the Golf front end but I do like things that make people go "Hmmmm!"


Thanks for sharing!


Love the interior upgrades btw.

 

[SFHGolfTDI]

Did you rewire your headlights? How does the high beam work now?

Tongsli, the high beam works as expected. If you are referring to the fact that the high beam and the headlight both use the same bulb, I think that is all taken care of in the headlight assembly wiring itself with no modification necessary. Since the car switches and lighting harness are identical between Golf and Jetta, I don't see why there would be any modification necessary. Is there something I'm missing? Many people have done this swap and I've never heard anything mentioned about headlight wiring.

The only modification I did was disable the DRL by pulling out that wire pin from the headlight switch harness connector.

Interesting..

I prefer the Golf front end but I do like things that make people go "Hmmmm!"

Thanks for sharing!

Love the interior upgrades btw.

Thanks! I've enjoyed that process but it can be frustrating finding clean parts, and of course all the plastic bits and clips can be prone to breaking if you don't remove or install things just right.

 

[tongsli]

Tongsli, the high beam works as expected. If you are referring to the fact that the high beam and the headlight both use the same bulb, I think that is all taken care of in the headlight assembly wiring itself with no modification necessary. Since the car switches and lighting harness are identical between Golf and Jetta, I don't see why there would be any modification necessary. Is there something I'm missing? Many people have done this swap and I've never heard anything mentioned about headlight wiring.

The only modification I did was disable the DRL by pulling out that wire pin from the headlight switch harness connector.



Thanks! I've enjoyed that process but it can be frustrating finding clean parts, and of course all the plastic bits and clips can be prone to breaking if you don't remove or install things just right.

On the Jetta, since the low and highs are the same bulb when you put the high beams on the lows cut out.

On the Golf, since they are two separate bulbs, you can have both high and low on at the same time.

So some people, who install the Jetta OEM HID's (which have two separate bulbs for low and high like the Golf) wire the Jetta to be like the golf in order to have both on at the same time. They are indeed wired differently.

I guess since it's the same bulb, you're technically getting power from two different circuits and the cut off is invisible to you since it's the same bulb. It's happening but you don't see it.

If you were to install HID's you wouldn't see it either since you have a GOLF.

 

[SFHGolfTDI]

On the Jetta, since the low and highs are the same bulb when you put the high beams on the lows cut out.

On the Golf, since they are two separate bulbs, you can have both high and low on at the same time.

So some people, who install the Jetta OEM HID's (which have two separate bulbs for low and high like the Golf) wire the Jetta to be like the golf in order to have both on at the same time. They are indeed wired differently.

I guess since it's the same bulb, you're technically getting power from two different circuits and the cut off is invisible to you since it's the same bulb. It's happening but you don't see it.

I see what you're saying. But I guess with normal Jetta headlights it would be impossible to have both on at the same time since they share the same bulb, right? (I would think there could be heat issues if both filaments lit up?) The wiring modification seems like it would only make sense if you have the separate bulbs like HIDs or Golf, right?

Can you explain the wiring difference in a little more detail? Does the cutoff happen in a relay or at the headlight? My experience has been that my high beams are really bright, and with the Philips 9007 X-treme Power bulbs, my headlights provide excellent light. I also have fogs in those headlamps that provide great output right in front of the car in really dark conditions (or fog of course).

 

[tongsli]

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthre...h-OEM-HIDs&p=23029023&viewfull=1#post23029023

Here's the total wiring diagram and best thread on the subject.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=388453
http://tdi.mahonkin.com/golf-jetta-crop.jpg

I believe the high beam stalk is doing the cut off(in the forward high beam position). That's why you need to connect a wire from that stalk connector(112) back to the headlight switch(106). If you look at the diagram above, I believe it's at E19(turn signal stalk) So you're connecting postion 112 to 106. I think B167 is a splice in the harness somewhere.

 

[SFHGolfTDI]

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthre...h-OEM-HIDs&p=23029023&viewfull=1#post23029023

Here's the total wiring diagram and best thread on the subject.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=388453

I believe the high beam stalk is doing the cut off(in the forward high beam position). That's why you need to connect a wire from that stalk connector back to the headlight switch

But if I understand this correctly, since I have a Golf with Jetta headlights, my headlight is ALREADY staying on with the high beam. My car is wired as all stock Golfs. This modification seems to be for those with Jettas looking to replicate the behavior of the Golf wiring. Am I understanding it correctly?

This might explain why I feel like my high beams are amazing--they are in fact both on. I don't get to use high beams a lot, living in the city, but I wonder about the heat issue if they are indeed both coming on together.

 

[tongsli]

But if I understand this correctly, since I have a Golf with Jetta headlights, my headlight is ALREADY staying on with the headlight. My car is wired as all stock Golfs. This modification seems to be for those with Jettas looking to replicate the behavior of the Golf wiring. Am I understanding it correctly?

Yes, you are right


This might explain why I feel like my high beams are amazing--they are in fact both on. I don't get to use high beams a lot, living in the city, but I wonder about the heat issue if they are indeed both coming on together.

Voltage is the same but amperage is probably kicking ass if the bulbs are a higher wattage! If you don't ride with the highs on for an extended period of time it shouldn't be a problem? Bulb might wear out sooner, but not sure.

 

[SFHGolfTDI]

Voltage is the same but amperage is probably kicking ass if the bulbs are a higher wattage! If you don't ride with the highs on for an extended period of time it shouldn't be a problem? Bulb might wear out sooner, but not sure.

Very interesting. I've been running this setup since 2012 with no issues so far with my headlights. No signs of excessive heat and no burnouts of these bulbs. Since DRLs are disabled and I don't use highs that often, there isn't a lot of stress on the bulbs in general, so that's probably why they've lasted this long.

I did just ask Jeff about it since if I ever upgrade my lights, I need to remember this issue. http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?p=4835129#post4835129

They would indeed need to be wired differently to accomodate unless I had OEM HIDs (which I don't ever foresee unless I get an amazing deal).

 

[tongsli]

Very interesting. I've been running this setup since 2012 with no issues so far with my headlights. No signs of excessive heat and no burnouts of these bulbs. Since DRLs are disabled and I don't use highs that often, there isn't a lot of stress on the bulbs in general, so that's probably why they've lasted this long.
I did just ask Jeff about it since if I ever upgrade my lights, I need to remember this issue. http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?p=4835129#post4835129
They would indeed need to be wired differently to accomodate unless I had OEM HIDs (which I don't ever foresee unless I get an amazing deal).

Jeff retrofitted a set of Jetta lights for my wife's car. When the highs are on, it triggers the solenoid for the bi-xenon's.

Because it's a Jetta, when the stalk moves forward, her lights cut out! Doh. I've been lazy and need to make the wire change. It's on my to do list.

I'm partial to the OEM HID's even-though people seem to love the retrofitted lights I still like the OEM better.

L

 

[hskrdu]

Shady! Love it! Looks great!

Outstanding scenery pix. I spot some cat like ears just behind the pasngr head rest! Looking out the window for mice?

Maybe I'll move some of my TCO thread pix over to this forum...

I think you need some VW BBS RX type wheels, the black and silver ones would match your car perfectly!

 

[SFHGolfTDI]

Shady! Love it! Looks great!

Outstanding scenery pix. I spot some cat like ears just behind the pasngr head rest! Looking out the window for mice?

Maybe I'll move some of my TCO thread pix over to this forum...

I think you need some VW BBS RX type wheels, the black and silver ones would match your car perfectly!

Thanks, Steve. You found the kitty! We went on a trip once and had nowhere to leave her, so she came along.

I've always liked those BBS RXii wheels. I've heard terrible things about clearcoat peeling though. I like the Avus for now, though if I happened across a cheap set of RXiis I'd consider it.

I think my next step will be to plasti-dip my grille like this one: http://devforums2.tdiclub.com/showpost.php?p=4622955&postcount=519. I wish I could justify some new HID headlights from Midwest Light Creations, but mine are doing great, so they'll have to stay a while longer.

 

[SFHGolfTDI]

Took the opportunity to clean out the engine compartment with Black Magic after my last oil change and sprayed it all down with WD40. Didn't know it could get so clean!

 

[Big Swole]

Looks great

 

[SFHGolfTDI]

Looks great

Thanks, looks like we have the same car (minus the front end) with very similar mileage, too. Love your performance mods though.

 

[Big Swole]

Thanks, looks like we have the same car (minus the front end) with very similar mileage, too. Love your performance mods though.

Mods was the best money I ever spent on a car. Love this thing now!

 

[SFHGolfTDI]

Mods was the best money I ever spent on a car. Love this thing now!

PM me. I'm curious how much you ended up paying for all that at AARodriguez, since you did it all at once and had it installed.

 

[hskrdu]

Engine bay looks almost new! Try Aerospace 303; It's $11 from Amazon (lasts a long time), and will keep all the rubber and plastic in good condition.

 

[SFHGolfTDI]

Engine bay looks almost new! Try Aerospace 303; It's $11 from Amazon (lasts a long time), and will keep all the rubber and plastic in good condition.

Hey Steve, can you give me a link? Coming up with way too many results for the stuff and I don't know which you are referring to. Sounds like it might be good for exterior car plastics and rubber also?

 

[SFHGolfTDI]

Bump for new window tint:

9/2/2015 - 35% ceramic all around. Critical for the CA sun:

 

[Big Swole]

Looks great. I have 20% on sides and 40% on the whole windshield.

 

[SFHGolfTDI]

Looks great. I have 20% on sides and 40% on the whole windshield.

Wow, never heard of a tint that dark on the windshield. What's legal in Georgia? My front windows shouldn't be tinted at all, but that just doesn't make enough sense for me to comply. It's also a light enough tint that most law enforcement won't bother (though I've heard California Highway Patrol can be nasty about it).

 

[Big Swole]

Wow, never heard of a tint that dark on the windshield. What's legal in Georgia? My front windows shouldn't be tinted at all, but that just doesn't make enough sense for me to comply. It's also a light enough tint that most law enforcement won't bother (though I've heard California Highway Patrol can be nasty about it).

Ha!! Not legal at all.. Lol

But I happen to be one of "them", so I kinda get a pass. Lol

Most officers have less than legal tint. But it's for safety reasons mainly. People seeing us in uniform these days, might wanna follow us home and do damage later or worse. We can never be too careful.


Few pics of mine with tint

 

[SFHGolfTDI]

Ha!! Not legal at all.. Lol

But I happen to be one of "them", so I kinda get a pass. Lol

Most officers have less than legal tint. But it's for safety reasons mainly. People seeing us in uniform these days, might wanna follow us home and do damage later or worse. We can never be too careful.

Few pics of mine with tint

That's dark! Interesting point about needing a certain measure of privacy as law enforcement. Never thought about that before. Do police in Georgia enforce tint laws much?

 

[hskrdu]

Hey Steve, can you give me a link? Coming up with way too many results for the stuff and I don't know which you are referring to. Sounds like it might be good for exterior car plastics and rubber also?

Here's the amazon link, but I think you can find better pricing. I actually found it at Walmart the first time, and that bottle lasted three years.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0004ELKC4...lid=1IDBF94H6N83Q&coliid=I1GIAYT2LOO3OD&psc=1

Some other links; The Gold e\Eagle link has some good info:
http://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-aerospace-protectant
http://www.autogeek.net/303.html?gclid=CI-f0o-P8McCFQsRHwodYhcFiA

 

[Big Swole]

That's dark! Interesting point about needing a certain measure of privacy as law enforcement. Never thought about that before. Do police in Georgia enforce tint laws much?

I do not enforce them at all. But some officers do but mainly use it as probable cause to stop a vehicle to see if there is something else going on. Most officers I know just give warnings for them.

 

[SFHGolfTDI]

The old Michelin Primacy MXV4s that I bought the car with were showing some significant sidewall cracking, even though the tread still looked good: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=447876.

Two were from 2010 (~50k miles), two from 2008 (not sure of mileage). I replaced all with a new set of Conti PureContacts in stock size. Feel good so far, but it's only been about 7 miles. I pumped them up to 44 psi.

 

[hskrdu]

Where did you mount your SG? What do you think of it now that you've had it a bit?

 

[SFHGolfTDI]

Where did you mount your SG? What do you think of it now that you've had it a bit?

Hey Steve, it is on the steering column right in front of the cluster (one of my pics on the first page shows it). It is a good place for it that easily allows you to run the wire inside the dash for a clean install. I like the SGII. It is nice to be able to keep an eye on things like coolant temp, boost, and see how driving style impacts mpgs. Overall its a nice addition.