Backstory
In April 2003, I traded my 120,000 mile 1995 Passat in for a brand new campanella white 2004 Jetta GL with 36 miles on the odometer. The car came with all GLS options except alloys and remained stock until 2009.
My pictures of the car start after the first 4 mods so I'll lump them together.
First Round of Mods
View attachment 7544
Begone Orange Bumper Markers
I had to do something about the orange bumper markers, so I hit them with nightshades.
View attachment 7545
Second Modding Rally
More Performance Mods and More Black
Next came a couple performance mods as I would soon be hauling around a baby. I sold my 3 JL Audio 10" subs for some spare cash and got some oomph with it.
Replace Coolant Temp Sensor
As it says, I just put it here for completeness. Easy, took me 20 minutes, and no more CEL.
New Tail lights
Since I wasn't satisfied with the outcome of my tail light tint, I bought a set of Depo crystal smoked taillights, and got my windows tinted with 35% (to protect the baby from the sun).
View attachment 7550
Stainless Brake Lines
Had to change my brake fluid so I did this as well. Awesome mod, simple to do (with a Mityvac) and worth every penny they cost.
Spark Plugs
Couldn't stand the pinging anymore when going up hills at too low of RPMs so I swapped my spark plugs with NGK Laser Platinums. AWESOME PLUG. Best I've tried in 14 years of VWing. Able to get up hills at lower RPMs and with no pinging.
Kind of a pain, but I did it without removing my intake.
Rear Ended
This was actually a blessing in disguise. A few years back, I didn't have a garage door opener and I slammed the door on my back bumper. The scratch polished out, but the chrome had a huge gouge in it. I got hit from behind (don't tailgate you stupid a**holes... things jump out from the sides of the road without warning) so it got replaced...sort of. The body shop put the vinyl on as directed, but replaced my molding with the paintable kind instead of chrome. Hopefully that will be sorted out this month, HOORAY for lifetime warranties.
View attachment 7556
The HID Fiasco and New GLI Headlights
One of my PIAA Extreme Whites went out last December so I had to do something quick. I'm embarassed to say I bought a drop-in HID kit to replace it. I didn't do any research prior to buying it, and while it's a great quality kit, the reflector housings scattered the beam everywhere.
I was going to do a projector retrofit, and still probably will, but I got scared and just ordered a set of stock GLI headlights from ECS with Ziza ion yellow fogs, and Sylvania Xtravision bulbs. Might still build the retrofit to sell if anybody interested.
I must say the Euroswitch is a must have for a MK4. Disabling the DRLs can be done by the switch. No wire hacking required. I only wish I had gotten the chrome accented one.
View attachment 7552
I originally put a vinyl strip on the top of the lens as you can see, but I've since taken it off.
Back in Chrome
Vinyl on the chrome trim has come off as well. After seeing the white Phaetons I had to go back. Plus there was a scuff in the front one, that I couldn't get over. Nobody else could see it, but I don't want to risk a judge finding it.
No More Nite-Shades
I redid my side markers and they actually looked like they weren't even paint. I felt the chrome went better with the clear look, so wiped them down with alcohol and polished the lenses. Looks brand new. Then the fender markers got wrapped in Vinyl, since I don't have bulbs in them anyways. Planning to make clear lenses for them. We have a local plastics place and we used to do this back in the day on MK3s.
Polished Intake Manifold Runners
I started sanding my lips to get the curb damage out and repolish them. I thought to myself, I could polish my intake manifold by hand. So I did. I'm going to have to touch up the right 2 runners, but after countless hours of hand sanding, my hand needed a rest. Pretty good for now though.
View attachment 7551
Next Up
Next up will be finishing the curb damage, painting my interior trim gloss black (in progress) to stop the peeling (don't say eww until you see it), tinting the top of the windshield, making clear bumper lenses, and polishing more aluminum I find in the engine bay.
In April 2003, I traded my 120,000 mile 1995 Passat in for a brand new campanella white 2004 Jetta GL with 36 miles on the odometer. The car came with all GLS options except alloys and remained stock until 2009.
My pictures of the car start after the first 4 mods so I'll lump them together.
First Round of Mods
- First mod as always was a K&N. I have never owned a car without one.
- EVO super stubby antennae. This one came about when I used to work at Perrin Performance and got it for free.
- Hyper black PIAA Super Rozzas fell into my lap, literally. They were laying in the warehouse and Jeff said I could have them if they fit my car. Bald front tires (Kumho Ecsta MX) and lots of curb damage, but I bought new front tires and am currently working out the curb damage by hand. They are 18x8 in front and 19x8 in back.
- H&R Sport lowering springs at a %60 employee discount brought me 1.5 inches closer to the ground.
View attachment 7544
Begone Orange Bumper Markers
I had to do something about the orange bumper markers, so I hit them with nightshades.
View attachment 7545
Second Modding Rally
- H&R rear 25mm swaybar (%40 employee discount).
- Black vinyl over chrome trim. This idea came from the Alta (Division of Perrin) JC Cooper Mini sitting around the shop. They took black vinyl and covered the chrome strips.
- Attacked the sidemarkers with Nite-Shades.
More Performance Mods and More Black
Next came a couple performance mods as I would soon be hauling around a baby. I sold my 3 JL Audio 10" subs for some spare cash and got some oomph with it.
- Polyurethane dogbone mount, but don't remember where it came from.
- ABD big bore intake
- Assaulted my airbox with a power drill.
- Tried tinting my tails to look like the GLIs.
- Put PIAA Extreme whites in my headlights since a stock one went out.
Replace Coolant Temp Sensor
As it says, I just put it here for completeness. Easy, took me 20 minutes, and no more CEL.
New Tail lights
Since I wasn't satisfied with the outcome of my tail light tint, I bought a set of Depo crystal smoked taillights, and got my windows tinted with 35% (to protect the baby from the sun).
View attachment 7550
Stainless Brake Lines
Had to change my brake fluid so I did this as well. Awesome mod, simple to do (with a Mityvac) and worth every penny they cost.
Spark Plugs
Couldn't stand the pinging anymore when going up hills at too low of RPMs so I swapped my spark plugs with NGK Laser Platinums. AWESOME PLUG. Best I've tried in 14 years of VWing. Able to get up hills at lower RPMs and with no pinging.
Kind of a pain, but I did it without removing my intake.
Rear Ended
This was actually a blessing in disguise. A few years back, I didn't have a garage door opener and I slammed the door on my back bumper. The scratch polished out, but the chrome had a huge gouge in it. I got hit from behind (don't tailgate you stupid a**holes... things jump out from the sides of the road without warning) so it got replaced...sort of. The body shop put the vinyl on as directed, but replaced my molding with the paintable kind instead of chrome. Hopefully that will be sorted out this month, HOORAY for lifetime warranties.
View attachment 7556
The HID Fiasco and New GLI Headlights
One of my PIAA Extreme Whites went out last December so I had to do something quick. I'm embarassed to say I bought a drop-in HID kit to replace it. I didn't do any research prior to buying it, and while it's a great quality kit, the reflector housings scattered the beam everywhere.
I was going to do a projector retrofit, and still probably will, but I got scared and just ordered a set of stock GLI headlights from ECS with Ziza ion yellow fogs, and Sylvania Xtravision bulbs. Might still build the retrofit to sell if anybody interested.
I must say the Euroswitch is a must have for a MK4. Disabling the DRLs can be done by the switch. No wire hacking required. I only wish I had gotten the chrome accented one.
View attachment 7552
I originally put a vinyl strip on the top of the lens as you can see, but I've since taken it off.
Back in Chrome
Vinyl on the chrome trim has come off as well. After seeing the white Phaetons I had to go back. Plus there was a scuff in the front one, that I couldn't get over. Nobody else could see it, but I don't want to risk a judge finding it.
No More Nite-Shades
I redid my side markers and they actually looked like they weren't even paint. I felt the chrome went better with the clear look, so wiped them down with alcohol and polished the lenses. Looks brand new. Then the fender markers got wrapped in Vinyl, since I don't have bulbs in them anyways. Planning to make clear lenses for them. We have a local plastics place and we used to do this back in the day on MK3s.
Polished Intake Manifold Runners
I started sanding my lips to get the curb damage out and repolish them. I thought to myself, I could polish my intake manifold by hand. So I did. I'm going to have to touch up the right 2 runners, but after countless hours of hand sanding, my hand needed a rest. Pretty good for now though.
View attachment 7551
Next Up
Next up will be finishing the curb damage, painting my interior trim gloss black (in progress) to stop the peeling (don't say eww until you see it), tinting the top of the windshield, making clear bumper lenses, and polishing more aluminum I find in the engine bay.
