Change from early to late spec side trims

[Silky]

How easy is it to change from the bigger early side trims to the later spec 90+ smaller side trims ?

Also, is it easy to fit the side skirts/arches from the 90+ mk2's to the earlier ones, say 89 ?

[rubjonny]

Pull of old ones, fit new ones Well, depending if you have the holes in the doors or if they are stuck on, I think some EARLY MK2s had stuck on trim.  Arches are attached with rivits, you'll have to drill the old ones off and reattach with rivits or self tapping screws.

Skirts are attached with sticky pads and screws, GPC do a fitting kit.

[Silky]

My side trims at the moment are clipped on, so should be an easy change then, can i use the same clips do you know ?

Thanks for the info on the arches and skirts, doesn't seem a hard job.

I take it the small bumper to big bumper swap is just as straight forward... !!

[rubjonny]

If you don't brake the clips getting them off yes
Rear big bumper os 4 bolts, easy.  Front is harder, you need to drill an extra hole in the front wing to mount the big bumper clips.

Some people say you need to support the engine when you take the front bumper off, some say you don't depends who you ask!  I would for piece of mind, and either way you normally need to anyway to make the bolt holes line up.

[Fielder5757]

^ No need to be drilling anything, Just go to a bodyshop and give them ?2 in exchange for two round single hole clips that work just as well.

[rubjonny]

What are these round single hole clips you speak of? Tell me more

[Silky]

What do you mean when you say support the engine ?

[rubjonny]

Well some people say that some of the bolts that hold the bumper on also hold the front crossmember, so you have to put a jack under it to stop your engine falling out
But others say you can get the bumper off without unbolting the crossmember, (But don't drive it like that!!!) but if it was me I'd support it anyway just in case.

Even the Haynes manuals are unclear on the issue, the older books didn't mention the need for engine support, but the newer ones say you do!

Either way you normally have to lift it up slightly to get the holes to match up, as the front drops slightly with the bumper off.  This is all based on what others have said when doing the conversion, its not something I've done myself!

[Speedydub]

Theres a book you can get in halfords about modding golfs??? Maybe worth a look??

[rubjonny]

Just rembered, matey-matey have a guide:
http://www.matey-matey.com/big_bumper_conversion.shtml