How do I know which bumper I have

[theman53]

I have always liked VW's but never been up on what bumper is what. I have an 86 that someone told me I have a small bumper. It was made in 85... I need turn signals as mine is busted and the ones I have found say must only fit Euro small bumper. Is there a difference between Euro small and small bumper or is it all the same?
Not my car but what it looks like

[R.O.R-2.0]

US smalls, and EURO smalls are totally different, from what ive read..

just get lights from an 85-87 golf/jetta.

what side lens do you need? i have a spare..

[Quantum TD]

US smalls, and EURO smalls are totally different, from what ive read..

This is true.

just get lights from an 85-87 golf/jetta.

Ah, but you can't do that either. There are 4 different lenses for US-sold cars:

1) 1985-1987 Jetta (German Made): These housings screw in from the front of the bumper and use sockets like the Rabbit turn sockets (1981-1984)

2) 1985-1989 Golf: These mount from the REAR of the bumper and use the sockets as above. They are more square than rectangular

3) 1988-mid-1990 Jetta: They look like #1, but have a different bulb holder. The holder is smaller and has a small rubber o-ring. The bulk of the bulb holder recesses into the lens housing.

4) 1990-1992 "Big Bumper" Jetta and Golf. These screw in from the front, and are the same between Golf and Jetta. Most aftermarket manufacturers focus on these. They use a bulb holder like #3 above, but are thinner than #1 or #3, and have an angled end towards the end of the bumper.


If your 1985 Jetta has its original bumper, then you'll need to find #1 above. They are NLA at the dealer AFAIK, and most aftermarket manufacturers don't make then (tinted, clear or otherwise). If you had the right bulb holders, you could run some #3s, but they are also NLA and no one makes aftermarket.

Good luck!

[R.O.R-2.0]

yea, all my cars have option #2 and option #4..

thanks for the tid-bit of info about the lenses.. i DID NOT KNOW THAT!

and come to think about it, my golf/gti lenses do seem shorter than the jetta lenses.

[theman53]

I think I am in option 1...85 german made titled as 86 and it does have the screw in deal to hold it. I may go get a pic. All I really need is the lens since it is cracked and I don't want it to corrode and ruin the socket.

[theman53]

This is what I got. What do I need?

[Quantum TD]

This is what I got. What do I need?

You'll need to see what the bulb-holder looks like. If there is a thick, foam-rubber gasket on the bulb holder that sits on a shoulder, then you have option #1. I don't know where to point you to get the lens/housing. It's all one piece. Pull the lens/housing and take a pic of the backside of the housing and the bulb-holder. That should help others find what you need. Unfortunately, I don't have any spares at the moment.

[theman53]

Here we go. This is what I got and am trying to find. Anybody have a lens? That is all I need, let me know what it is called and what I should be looking for. Thanks

[Quantum TD]

Here we go. This is what I got and am trying to find. Anybody have a lens? That is all I need, let me know what it is called and what I should be looking for. Thanks

That's option #1. You'll need a lens from a 1985-1987 Jetta. Only those will fit your bulb holder.

[rabbitman]

There should be a part number on it somewhere. Altrom appears to have it. http://www2.altrom.com/cgi-bin/altapp.sh?&PGM=altapp~~~~~~~~~~~~~~&MAKEID=VW&MODELID=JET08&APPID=0200&PF=N&MEM=0000000321:ZMXM:U:6677:N

Part # 165 953 155

I'm pretty sure napa can order stuff from there.

[theman53]

Thanks and great!

[theman53]

found this so far, but out of stock.
http://www.carpartsdiscount.com/auto/parts/87/volkswagen/jetta/parking_lights_turn_signals/turn_signal_lens.html?3593=67565

[theman53]

http://store.blackforestindustries.com/mk2ussmbutus1.html

I don't know if these would work, but they are sold out as well.

Anyone have a yellow driver side turn they want to get to me let me know.

[bajacalal]

I just stumbled upon this great thread and it kind of helps me answer some questions about my current plans with my car.

I have an '85 Golf and I want to replace the front (and rear, but I think I have that one solved) bumpers with the style from the early 1990's mk2, likely from a Jetta. It seems like the plastic bumper cover thing and turn signals will not simply bolt onto the 1985 bumper steel, correct? However, the whole bumper assembly should fit any mk2 car, right, and should attach the same way via the same 4 bolts that hold it to the subframe? I'm guessing you would leave that original sheet metal valence panel thing off and just install the big bumper. I realize the bulb wiring itself might be different but that's really a moot point for me.

There seem to be tons of late mk2 Jettas in the junkyards around here. On that note, have you found that lens part you need?

[theman53]

NO
I still need it. Called 3 places today. One place in AZ has 3, but won't ship.