5stud / plus suspension conversion

[thai-wronghorse]

I posted this over on UKmk3's Facebook page but I'm left with a few uncertainties now so thought I'd ask here as well before i dive into it this week...

So the wagon has just been for it's first MOT in my ownership and failed on a few bits as I expected it to tbh, especially as I've hardly touched it since i bought it a couple of months ago.
Anyway the combination of sh!t brakes and potholed damaged tyres means that my 5stud conversion courtesy of the 16v will need to be brought forward as i refuse to pay for crap I essentially already own.
I've done a fair bit of reading up on the swap but was wondering if you guys had any tips worth noting to assist with the transition?
The doner 16v has ABS, my TDI estate doesn't. Also the 16v doesn't have a rear pressure regulator...I think the wagon does? (not checked yet)
I've been told my regulator won't be of any use as it was designed to be used with drum brakes but why would that make a difference?
Also im getting mixed opinions on using the track rod arms, many threads mention to swap them but a couple of people have said it's not necessary...obviously if i can get away with not changing those as well il be happy.

Parts i'll be transferring are:

wishbones
hubs
discs / calipers / carriers
driveshafts
anti roll bar (what's the easiest way to remove this?)
track rod arms (are these a straight swap?)
rear stub axles
handbrake cable
master cylinder
wheels

Is there anything I've missed out?

[gazareth]

the brake pressure regulator should be fine if its adjusted properly.

[thai-wronghorse]

Well that's what I was always lead to believe. I really dont want to start chopping up the brake lines either to make these work properly.  Its been many years since I tinkered with car with a pressure regulator on the rear beam, how do you set them up with the correct bias?

[thai-wronghorse]

found this which is pretty helpful.

http://www.clubgti.com/showthread.php?220814-THE-%28long-overdue!%29-Definitive-Wide-Tracking-FAQ&p=1952935#post1952935

[VW BUSH]

What about abs? might be a pita but well worth having if you uprate the power, and you already have it

[thai-wronghorse]

As much as i would like it im not sure i can arsed with fitting it tbh, that would mean major brake pipework and wiring surgery and the car would need to come off the road for longer.

[VW BUSH]

Yeah I know, I couldn't just throw it away if it was me
Most of the pipework is there and you will be swapping the master and brakes, that's the easy part.
Question is does the wagon have ABS points already in the loom or is it cutting and joining in etc etc, that would be the fag in my opinion and the place enthusiasm might evaporate

[thai-wronghorse]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the ABS wiring entwined with the nearside dash to engine loom? Because if that is the case there's f**k all chance of me even considering it after seeing the wiring carnage in my 16v at the moment. 

[thai-wronghorse]

ABS aside, im still unsure if i'm going to need to swap my track rods over. I've just been trying to cross reference the part numbers on both cars and im stumped as there are variations on which rack the car was fitted with eg. TRW or ZF
I'm hoping they should be the same though seeing as they're both late mk3's with PAS....or do i just need to change the track rod ends to suit the 5 stud hubs?

[VW BUSH]

ABS aside, im still unsure if i'm going to need to swap my track rods over. I've just been trying to cross reference the part numbers on both cars and im stumped as there are variations on which rack the car was fitted with eg. TRW or ZF
I'm hoping they should be the same though seeing as they're both late mk3's with PAS....or do i just need to change the track rod ends to suit the 5 stud hubs?

Offer them up and see what happens, its not to much work to try them on