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General Information => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: theman53 on March 16, 2011, 07:53:25 am

Title: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: theman53 on March 16, 2011, 07:53:25 am
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
(http://i6.ebayimg.com/08/i/001/21/43/edc6_1_sbl.JPG)
Title: Re: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on March 16, 2011, 09:19:14 am
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..
Title: Re: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: Quantum TD on March 16, 2011, 10:42:41 am
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!
Title: Re: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on March 16, 2011, 11:22:04 am
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.
Title: Re: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: theman53 on March 16, 2011, 04:06:19 pm
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.
Title: Re: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: theman53 on March 17, 2011, 05:24:42 pm
(http://a2.l3-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/114/712787fdf160493c807188b4b92277c9/l.jpg)
This is what I got. What do I need?
Title: Re: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: Quantum TD on March 17, 2011, 06:38:51 pm
(http://a2.l3-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/114/712787fdf160493c807188b4b92277c9/l.jpg)
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.
Title: Re: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: theman53 on March 21, 2011, 07:50:11 am
(http://a3.l3-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/136/e1b8dadf1458467bbb7ae4cfce9759d7/l.jpg)

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
Title: Re: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: Quantum TD on March 21, 2011, 09:47:50 am
(http://a3.l3-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/136/e1b8dadf1458467bbb7ae4cfce9759d7/l.jpg)

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.
Title: Re: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: rabbitman on March 21, 2011, 12:03:12 pm
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.
Title: Re: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: theman53 on March 21, 2011, 07:23:35 pm
Thanks and great!
Title: Re: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: theman53 on March 21, 2011, 08:08:34 pm
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
Title: Re: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: theman53 on March 23, 2011, 03:56:28 pm
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.
Title: Re: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: bajacalal on March 29, 2011, 10:23:44 am
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?



Title: Re: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: theman53 on March 29, 2011, 07:53:19 pm
NO
I still need it. Called 3 places today. One place in AZ has 3, but won't ship.
Title: Re: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: Baron VonZeppelin on March 29, 2011, 08:26:10 pm
Wish i could help, completely out of undamaged lenses.
Haven't been boneyarding in months either - no idea whats come and gone lately.

I'll get you a guys contact info in Winston Salem who can probably fix you right up.
Title: Re: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: Baron VonZeppelin on March 29, 2011, 09:22:06 pm
Sent him a message asking about lens.
If he has one, i'll P/M you his contact info.

He ships.
Has tons of spare parts.
Runs a VW specialty garage in Kernersville NC.
Title: Re: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: theman53 on March 30, 2011, 04:50:44 am
Awesome. The small bumper has always been the look I like, why it is so hard to find parts doesn't make sense. There should be them all over since people like the big bumpers. Oh well
Title: Re: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: Baron VonZeppelin on March 30, 2011, 11:08:47 am
Says he is fresh out of small turns.

They're still out there, right person just hasn't seen your needs yet.
Post in the For Sale / Wanted.

And i'll have more options to check on in near future also.
Title: Re: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: bajacalal on April 01, 2011, 10:51:40 am
Anyone able to answer my question (big 1990s bumper on older mk2 Golf)?
Title: Re: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: Baron VonZeppelin on April 01, 2011, 11:44:00 am
Big bumper bolts right up if you have it complete.

Think the metal reinforcements on smalls are diffy - but might could be improvised to hold a big skin.

The fenders have diffy support perches and maybe an extra mounting hole.
But if you pull a complete one off a car yourself - you'll be able to get everything you need and see the minor upgrades.

Turn sigs from 88 up have diffy pigtail connectors into the harness.
Splice as needed.
Title: Re: How do I know which bumper I have
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on April 01, 2011, 12:46:10 pm
the fenders are indeed shaped differently, and you need everything to make it work..

the bumper, and the fenders, along with all the bracketry..

i imagine you could make a big bumper work on small fenders, but it wont look right, and the bumper ends wont be supported..