My "It Followed Me Home Thread"

• 2003
• Low mileage 132k kms (82k miles)
• Few things to fix
• under challenge $$$'s
• Yes, I have access to a code reader!!!
• It's a 2.0L. I avoided the 1.8T's on purpose (I have had one).

Anybody know how to get one of these with more ground clearance?

• Front VR6 springs?
• Rear Jetta springs?

I need the ground clearance for running dirt roads when I work on rallies.

Very cool. Maybe jetta wagon springs? Or upper mount spacers could net you a little

On older VWs people used Passat Springs to lift Golfs. Maybe a set of Passat 4motion springs from a B4 or B5 wagon might do the trick? Not sure what else would work for that.

Well, here it is after a little GRM'in:

• $85 for used rear Washer/Wiper motor
• $100 for full used suspension from Golf VR6 (with only 10K km on everything!). Only used the front VR6 springs for now. Keeping the rear springs and all the struts for spares.
• $28 for new strut bearings (dealer - ouch!)
• $300 in taxes and temp tag
• $15 for new RF ABS speed sensor
• So just a little bit more than $2500 into it.
• Fixed both door mirrors with JB Weld!
• Goes Monday for safety inspection

Looks good!

In reply to Woody:

Thanks!

What is a strut bearing, anyway?

DWNSHFT wrote: What is a strut bearing, anyway?

VW's have a bearing that goes between the upper and lower mount that allows the strut to turn. I think on most cars its part of the strut mount, but VW has to be different!

I guess the upside is that if it fails, it is a lot cheaper than replacing the whole mount.

talk to scott at USRT (dreadscott on here) about suspension bits, I'll warn you though he's made big HP on a stock 2.0L bottom end so be careful about falling victim to other temptations.

captdownshift wrote: talk to scott at USRT (dreadscott on here) about suspension bits, I'll warn you though he's made big HP on a stock 2.0L bottom end so be careful about falling victim to other temptations.

It's my DD and I need to get 5 years out of it until the wife's Explorer is paid for. So no engine shenanigans until then.

I wanted something that would be cheap to run and that would not burn premium (I am coming out of a WRX).

They are pretty gutless (especially compared to a Stage 1 WRX), but its a solid car.

After its done the DD thing, it may be time for a cage and rally tires.

Looks good. I always liked those body style Golf's.

. . . and the safety is passed. Plated and on to doing its job!

One of the best looking Golf's IMO. Interior's are great and this one has a fantastic interior.