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Mechanical Mods

I had contemplated what kind of bicycle/cargo carrier I'd like for my Jetta.  After years of using roof racks (and growing tired of either marring the paint or the hassle or installing/removing the rack),  I became interested in a cargo/bike rack that doesn't touch the paint.  The addition of a 1¼" hitch receiver allows me to use a ETRAILER CARGO CARRIER (pictured).  The addition of BikeTight fork-mount bike carriers allows me to carry bicycles in the car's draft without marring the paint.  The Hitch Haul is especially handy if my bikes or clothing are muddy.  Nothing stinks more than  muddy bicycles dribbling all over a perfectly clean car.  I can even squeeze the tandem back there with both wheels removed.  Best of all, the rack is easily removed within seconds of unlocking the receiver.

European Lighting

Since I do a lot of driving on dark roads, I had always considered upgrading my headlights.  I had filed an insurance claim to repair sandblasting damage from a few windstorms.  Much to my surprise, my insurance company paid for a total repaint (to include the removal of all rubber and trim)  and the replacement of all front glass.  What a great time to upgrade the headlights!  I chose a set of European Vento headlights by Hella to maintain the factory appearance.  The lighting pattern is vastly improved and the bulbs are upgraded to H4s with "city lights."  I bought my kit from PARTS4VWS.COM, aka "Potterman's."  I had previously added factory foglights, too.  Instead of using a factory wiring harness, I set up a relay network that allows me to either turn on the foglights independently via switch or automatically whenever I turn on the high-beams (hey, when I want light, I want LIGHT).   Overall, I'm thrilled with the results.

The Future...

The future holds minor upgrades.  Having the least-potent of the American TDI powerplants, my TDI is making about as much power as it can without sacrificing reliability or re-engineering the intake/exhaust manifolds.  Still, I contemplate a big turbo swap from time to time.   Naturally, a tuned TDI is a pleasure to drive.  Although the "horsepower-bang" from my K03/K04 hybrid is small and my turbo upgrade is easily-concealed at SCCA events, I autocross my TDI in the Street Modified category, a category full of high-horsepower brutes such as M3s, STIs, and Evos.   Regardless, I'm still competing against other economy cars in my mind  and comparing raw times.  Regardless of competitiveness, I love my TDI and enjoy turning heads with a definite underdog.  In addition, my TDI will always APPEAR stock.  After all, it's what's inside that counts.  Isn't that what we're taught as children?  :-)  Read discussions about my TDI at TDI CLUB and VW VORTEX.  Check out the "Videos" link at the bottom of this page for features of the build-up of this car.   THANKS FOR VISITING!

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