MK2 body and interior parts interchange

[bajacalal]

How similar are MK2 cars across models and years?

I'm looking at replacing my door panels/skins and I found some I like on a late MK2 Jetta 4 door. Will these fit my 1985 4 door Golf? They sure look similar but I haven't been able to verify if they will line up and fit correctly on my doors without taking my old panels off for comparison.

Does anyone know roughly what can and can't be swapped out among different models and years, aside from the obvious things (2 door vs 4 door models)?

[Dakotakid]

By "late model," does this donor car have the big front glass windows (no little pseudo-vent window)?
Those front liners would be your only hitch.....and they might work on you older model. I've salvaged several of these later model liners...but, I never had or took the time to do the comparison.
Back doors are all the same as far as I know.

[bajacalal]

I think it might have the long front windows.

The rear door panels are my biggest concern. They are in the worse condition than the front panels.

Thanks.

[Dakotakid]

I think the only difference on the rears is if they are electric or not....I don't/won't own anything except manual windows with cranks. Well, got to go eat some raw meat now......

[bajacalal]

For the record, I did not get the door panels off that car. It was a 1988 Jetta GLI. The windows were electric and I completely agree with your preference. Since I have manual windows, the door panels would not work without modification. Otherwise, they looked great.

I did get the whole rear axle, the GTI/GLi type with the disc brake setup and anti-sway bar thingy that runs down the center of the axle.

I also got some nice genuine leather wrapped accessories (steering wheel, shift knob, e-brake) and I got them free because I made a stink about the $190 after-tax price of the axle assembly (same price for a pickup truck live axle at this junkyard). The cashier girl working started cussing at me in Spanish and muttering idiota when I politely mentioned that the price ought to be lower. Well, I'm white but I speak Spanish fluently and I wasn't happy with her remarks so she let me take them if I didn't throw a fit. Of course, I drop the wheel and scuff it getting into my car but I think shoe polish might take care of it.

I would still like to know what interior and body parts interchange among mk2s. Headliners? Doors? My interior is not horrible but it looks like VW made it out of old pants and burlap potato sacks. I have been slowly replacing a lot of interior stuff for a more contemporary look. I also want to know what kind of canine the PO had. I found a lot of white fur and most of the plastic bits were chewed.

Raw meat you say? DO WANT!