A lot of tedious but important and informative disassembly again today. With some help from my wife, we traced down, labelled, and removed several sections of wiring harness. We got the roof liner out, sunroof removed, and cleaned up more glass shards. I punctured a finger pretty bad to start things off today, so I'm really recommending trying to remove the glass with the laborious seal-cutting tools. They're a bit tough to use, but I'm going to borrow or buy a set and remove the rear glass that way and let you know how it goes.
Also, I found I don't have the special tool to remove the rear doors. All the door hardware has what looks to be a TX-40 size bolt only with 12 splines ("star" or "torx" bits have 6). I didn't find one in the VW tool kits I have. Any recommendations before I have to go buy those bits? I'm not sure if we're re-using those particular bolts or using ones provided by Mark for the subframe. If not, I'm using my extractor on them instead of buying a special tool. I'll talk with Mr. Smith and update this when I find out. Of course you other betas who have already been here can comment to let me and my readers know too.
Another idea I have that may be helpful . . . (posted here only so I can remember to do it) I will begin to put a tool list together of all the necessary tools required for the build so far. Again, other betas you should feel free to add helpful suggestions if you've found some tricks by now. I'll probably try a post here first and keep it updated until it gets crowded out by progress. Then I'll probably put a link to the post in the side bar for easy reference.
Okay, so 3.5 hours today requires some kind of list to make me feel like I made good progress:
Removed:
Visors, Handles, & Dome Lamps
Headliner
Sunroof
Headlights
Front & Rear Bumpers
Antenna
Trunk Lid Wiring Harness (& labelled all connectors separated so far)
Headliner Wiring Harness
All Doors' Weatherstripping
& various other pieces of trim, connectors, and hardware here and there in prep for more removals
. . . the pile is getting higher = )
Other than the fenders, inner fenders, front seats, carpet, rear window, and un-piping some more wiring harness, I'm really getting close to needing some instructions on what and where to mark for the cuts. I'm still want to leave enough in tact to run the engine for now as I have some engine work to do. I'll try to do everything possible without pulling that if I can. Beats an engine stand with electrical and fuel hookups any day.
Intended to track progress, time involved, expenses, and other details of my first kit-car build in order to share valuable insight to encourage and help other builders to do as well or better and to entertain those who aren't building their own car. My build begins with a stock 2000 VW Jetta with a VR6 12V engine. It will emerge as a Smyth Performance G3F, oozing with awesomeness!
Thought you were in for a bloody battle ... taking out the windshield by mallet :-) Yikes. Definitely invest in the cutter tools. Should come out in one piece! and no blood letting! Saw many done in our Chrysler Proving Grounds shop with that tool... it works!
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