1990 golf gasser parts car compatible to 1985 td golf?

[spoooner]

I Have a 1985 Golf TD, 4 door.
Craigslist offering a 1990 golf parts car, gasser, 2 door.
I need the back hatch, grill, tail lights mostly, the rest is pick and choose.
Are these parts compatible to my 85?

Thanks for the knowledge.

[R.O.R-2.0]

85-92 body parts are for the most part compatible..

the door windows are different, along with the bumpers.

what you want, should work. the grill will not be the same design as the original, but it will fit.

tail lights should be direct fit, but grab the CE2 bulb trays just to be sure, im not sure if the bulb trays are the same between CE1 and CE2.

[bajacalal]

The grill and front end parts will work if you want to change everything over to have the new style headlights (the rounded ones) instead of the square ones (the Westys) which I think were only used for 1985. Some people like the square ones. I like the round ones.

The later cars have the "big bumpers" which attach differently to the fenders (2 points of attachment on either side). They can fit the older cars but are different.

The interior electrical and doors (as mentioned) are different, as is the dash, I believe. The new doors would have the long windows without the small triangular fixed window at the front. The 2 door and 4 door parts aren't compatible anyway, except for parts like door handles and window cranks.

Seats are different because of the seat belts but can be made to work by swapping some parts.

I think the hatch will fit, it is the same shape but it's different. The later cars had the hi-mount 3rd brake light and the window wiper motor is wired differently, with different color wires and such. I have a newer hatch in my 85 and it all works (including the third brake light) but I had to do some electrical wiring and refer to a wiring diagram to get it right.

It all depends on how much extra work you want to do and how much you want to retain the characteristics of a 1985 car, which was a "one-off" car year for VW, this year was the first mk2 and yet it they changed a lot of things by 1986, so many pieces are 1985 only.

[R.O.R-2.0]

The grill and front end parts will work if you want to change everything over to have the new style headlights (the rounded ones) instead of the square ones (the Westys) which I think were only used for 1985. Some people like the square ones. I like the round ones.

i believe you are speaking about the difference between AEROdynamic lights, and rectangle 200mm lights?

The later cars have the "big bumpers" which attach differently to the fenders (2 points of attachment on either side). They can fit the older cars but are different.

you can swap big bumpers onto a small bumper car, but idk whats required bracket/fabrication wise to make it work.. smalls dont even mount to the fenders..

The interior electrical and doors (as mentioned) are different, as is the dash, I believe. The new doors would have the long windows without the small triangular fixed window at the front. The 2 door and 4 door parts aren't compatible anyway, except for parts like door handles and window cranks.

the later cars had a knee bar, instead of the cubby pockets and stuff.. also, the fuse/relay panel is completely under the dash on the later cars, all integrated into one unit.. the wiring is completely different between the early and late mk2 cars..

Seats are different because of the seat belts but can be made to work by swapping some parts.

the 90 should have dual seatbelts.. a separate lap belt and shoulder belt, and the shoulder belt attaches to the door..

I think the hatch will fit, it is the same shape but it's different. The later cars had the hi-mount 3rd brake light and the window wiper motor is wired differently, with different color wires and such. I have a newer hatch in my 85 and it all works (including the third brake light) but I had to do some electrical wiring and refer to a wiring diagram to get it right.

good call about the hatch, i forgot about the extra brake light they added in 86..

It all depends on how much extra work you want to do and how much you want to retain the characteristics of a 1985 car, which was a "one-off" car year for VW, this year was the first mk2 and yet it they changed a lot of things by 1986, so many pieces are 1985 only.

[bajacalal]

i believe you are speaking about the difference between AEROdynamic lights, and rectangle 200mm lights?

The 1985 had the same lights as a mk1 Rabbit, yes the sealed beam rectangular ones. But the grill stuff was different from the Rabbit. I believe that combination of parts was only used that one year. I meant the Aero lights but then there's the round sealed beam late GTI and "Euro" ones as well.

you can swap big bumpers onto a small bumper car, but idk whats required bracket/fabrication wise to make it work.. smalls dont even mount to the fenders..

The smalls have the round  bracket that attaches them to the fender, there is a round piece that the bumper slides over, for stability/to keep it from vibrating/idk why... but the actual structural support for the bumper is under the car where it is mounted to the chassis with 4 bolts.

Anyway, the big bumpers have elongated brackets on the fenders, not round ones, so you need to obtain those plastic brackets from a big bumper Golf and then, to fit them to your small bumper car, you need to drill a couple rather large holes in your fender. That's it. You will need the newer bulb sockets too for your big bumper's lenses. That's for the front, the rear one is easy and is a direct swap but you will need to paint your bumpers if you use the big bumpers and they are not painted the color you want.

A writeup is here http://www.matey-matey.com/big_bumper_conversion.shtml

[rs899]

I would stick with the small bumpers.  I have a '91 and the big bumpers are a PITA, if you want to get under the car, as you no doubt will want to do

[R.O.R-2.0]

I would stick with the small bumpers.  I have a '91 and the big bumpers are a PITA, if you want to get under the car, as you no doubt will want to do

i F****** HATE my big bumpers on my 92... you CAN NOT crawl under the car without it being on ramps or stands..

[fatmobile]

 Big bumpers might help with fuel mileage.

[rs899]

Big bumpers might help with fuel mileage.

Somebody needs to do a scientific study.  It would have to be 5mpg before it would be worth it to me....  As it is now, I have the lower piece removed.

[srgtlord]

I would look for a parts car up to 1987. All the body peices are directly swappable from 1985 to 1987. From 1988 to 1992 there were sublt diffences on some things. They began putting bigger balljoints, bigger bumpers, heater control heads were slightl different(although swppable as a unit). Even the dashboards began to change.The 1988 headlight switches are different than the 1985 to 1987. My 4 door 1987 and 1/2 golf diesel and my 1992 golf gl gasser shared Alll the same parts, except the 200mm drums, 100mm axles and dumbass 1992 central proportioning valve.(and of coarse the engine...lol) But still none the less, some 1985 cars shared more parts with the rabbit. I do beleive the 1985 gti' shared mirrors headlight switches, fuseboxes and even fuel system directly from the 1984 rabbit. The last part about the 1985 gti i would check on it..... But it is a vw, most MAJOR things will swap over from a differnet year and model, with some effort, but may not be a dirrect unbolt and bolt on.....  But when looking for a parts car look for a car that is closest to your own. It will save you much time sourcing those damn little peices that have seemed to vanish because nobody thought anyone would ever need a bolt or a clip....... But to answer your original question  The parts you need will bolt right up. The grill and the radiator core and the headlight will have to come out and a possible headlight stub rewire ...but yes everything else will bolt on.