My version of "Overhaulin"
 

My Son got deployed from Gulf Port MS to Kuwait this past month. He did not want to leave his 92 Golf down there so I towed it back to MI when we went down to see him off.

My plans are to first get the car mechanical safe so he can drive it back down there when he gets back in March 12 Since the mechanical was not that bad what I plan to do is get all the brake system back in good shape then I want to paint the car this summer. Some of it has been touched up and a lot of the paint is faded.

The inside needs a bit of work also. A lot of little do dads are missing but I did find a nice old 1988 GTI that will supply all the missing parts. I was lucky to find a decent headliner which his was missing.

I hope he is surprised when he gets back, at least he will have a good reliable car to drive now!

Towing it home:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/756e61b6.jpg

Donor Car:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/5998f250.jpg

His Car:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/2844821b.jpg

Sounds like fun and a great gift for him. Tell him thanks for serving!

Great plan Dad!! Happy Fathers day!

There's a bunch of good karma out there looking for you......

Great project!!! He'll love it because you did it for him!

Man, that is COOL!!!!

If he is like me, he will be happily surprise :)

More people need to think like this. Keep us posted on the progress and delivery.

+1

is that car lowered? Maybe even upgrade the brakes, can never have too much whoa.

MK2 Styley... love it. You son will get years of dependable service with that car.

My car is a 94 VR6 and has done about 270,000kms...

I recently found a complete 98 VR6 that has been written off for about $1,500. It's only travelled about 90,000kms.
It was hit in the back so all the good stuff is untouched. Lots of usable parts and the engine and gearbox look so cherry. Looks like I'll have my old girl for a while yet. ;)

I have been thinking about a new daily but the Golf is hard to beat.
What I love about VWs is once you know how to fix them you can keep them going indefinitely.
It's a shame their build quality has slipped recently. I wouldn't consider anything newer than the MK4.

------------------------------------

How about some Fuchs love? These would look great on a MK2.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1308544042.jpg

911
 

Assume your son is in the Air Force?

What's he do?

Have a son that's at Gulfport......just got back from Afghanistan late May.

He'll be there for around three years

Great project........bet he'll be surprised

(i wonder what happened to courtney hanson?)

great project dad!

Great job dad!

He is with NMCB1 the Seabee group as a mechanic..

I'll see if I have any Mark II stuff left, I know I have a lower strut brace.

Cool, I miss my 92...

I've got a brand new Euro "Golf GTI" badge I can donate if you want? Its sorta rare, and IMO cooler than the big Black and Red GTI badge.

Also, I can recommend some paint shops, as I have a few buddies in the Biz in your area. (I grew up in Caledonia)

Ferg

Craig,
If you need help for a day, I'll drive out there and lend a hand. If you're doing an engine drop or anything like that and could use an extra set of hands, I'd be happy to help!

I wonder if cabriolet rocker panels would work for you? Checked the only yards that I would know to have this stuff, and not a single GTI left . The one yard does have a cab, he is calling me back in the morning to verify they are still there. Cabriolets did have the flares, and rocker mouldings from what I remember. Not sure if they are the same though. Will know tomorrow.

Not the same, the Cabbies were still based on the Mark I chassis, just enough to be different from the Mark IIs..

Grab the running gear & brakes out of the GTI and build it up for your sons car.. Wish I was close enough to help..
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1308623747.jpg

Is there any difference in the brakes besides the rear disk on the GTI? Do I need the complete cross axle or just pull the rear brakes and mounting plates? Front disks should be the same on both?

It has been a while, but I think they are slightly bigger, but it is easy to build that set on the bench while the car is still on the ground.. Axle should be the same, so you can just pull the brakes..

My old truck.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1308633334.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1308633426.jpg

I have been really focusing on the mechanical right now. I got the engine pretty much done except for a new o2 sensor. All new belts, timing belt and cam set correct, timing cover that was missing, water leaks fixed, fan temp sensor, relays, wiring fixed etc. Even go the AC working and blowin cooooold. Next is to pull the front suspension and replace all the rubber bushings, ball joints and tie rod ends, kind of tighten it up.

Maybe a little bling with the power coating of a few engine parts yet too!

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/DSC_0003.jpg

I got the headliner glassed back up so its solid again and put in new padding, next is to glue back in the headliner.

Taking next week off to get the car ready for paint, hopefully paint it next weekend!
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/4e01d7d2.jpg

Getting it stripped down, I think I will leave the side glass in, I can run some cord inside the rubber to raise it away from the body for painting!

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/587ceed3.jpg

check it out, GRM did one sort of like this
Volkswagen Golf: Project Cars: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

Painting the off the car parts: Bumpers go some bulldog adhesion promoter:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/9881addc.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/ab5cc441.jpg

Very nice...

not sure where you at with the project but it would be a great idea to remove the interior as much as possible prior to painting,
everything will have a layer of red and clear on it

Its ready for paint this Wednesday if I get the shop cleaned up!

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/cc1d8133.jpg

That is really looking good!

On its way to our paint shop, should be a perfect day for painting tomorrow!

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/54c8e2ba.jpg

can't wait to see it.... great thread...

Its all red again! Didnt turn out too bad but I think I will color sand it and buff it out since I have the time:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/79876f24.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/1c741882.jpg

Very nice!!!

Cool!

Great job! My A2 Golf GT (couldn't afford the i) was my favorite. This project is looking very nice.

Didn't notice until this picture - the shade of red - how close is that color to guards red? That's the stock VW color?

Its a stock VW color used for a lot of years, its Tornado Red.

Nice Craig!!!! You work fast. What kind of paint did you use? Nearly every car I have ever painted has at least a touch of orange peel... Wet sanding and buffing sucks, only you can decide whether it needs it or not.

I want to get the over spray and some orange peel, it was hot today, off the surface so some 1500 and a good compound should do it. I have found that if you get it within the first 48 hours its a heck of a lot easier to buff out!

Nice work and nice gift!!