[XDleader555]

3D printers are becoming more accessible to the average consumer, coming down in both price and learning curve. I personally think it's a fun hobby and I like to see new and affordable DIY mods (big or small) for our generation cars using this technology.

Post a picture of something you printed or a link to a model that you'd like to share! This way, you can actively help others retrofit their cars with DIY printed upgrades.
Don't have a printer? Suggest an idea and maybe a stray CAD modeler can fulfil your request.

I'll get the thread started with a short list of models I've made (and are free to download):
Coil Pack Adapter for Volkswagen and Audi

Printables

www.printables.com

Angled Dash Kit for ATOTO head unit and Volkswagen MKIV

Printables

www.printables.com

Grill Badge Emblem for Volkswagen MKIV Jetta

Printables

www.printables.com

Grill Badge Emblem for Volkswagen MKIV Golf

Printables

www.printables.com

Aftermarket Shift Knob Adapter for Volkswagen MKIV Golf

Printables

www.printables.com

Sunroof Motor Cover Clip Repair Patch for Volkswagen MKIV

Printables

www.printables.com

Sunroof Drain Tube Insert for Volkswagen MKIV/A4/B5

Printables

www.printables.com

Glove Box USB AUX Panel Mount Faceplate

Printables

www.printables.com

Bushing Retention Clip for Volkswagen MKIV First Gear Getter

Printables

www.printables.com

Radiator Drain Lock for Volkswagen MKIV

Printables

www.printables.com

 

[XDleader555]

Want to 3D print, but don't know where to get started? The Creality Ender 3 Pro is great entry level printer for $200 (if you wait for it to go on sale, you can nab it at MicroCenter for $100!) and it has a thriving community.

If you have a little more cash, the Prusa Mini and the Prusa i3 are both work horses with minimal maintenance.

Don't want a printer, but still want something printed? You'd be surprised where you can find them. Some local libraries have them. Universities usually have them if you're a student. You can even check out your local Makerspace/Hackerspace/FabLab and get involved with the community. Maybe a vortex member would be willing to print for you if you're local.

Of course, there's always online services which will print and ship such as Shapeways, Sculpteo, Protolabs, Hubs, and even JLCPCB (if you want to wait for shipping).

 

[XDleader555]

It's a mixture of both. For example, the grill badges are a copy of the original design, but some of the clips have been elongated for rigidity.

The coil pack adapters have to withstand the high heat of the valve cover. In this case, I use a polycarbonate blend of filament which can take up to 110°C without deforming (engine operating temperature is 190F, or 88°C).

PETG is a good everyday filament which can handle moderate amounts of heat (won't warp inside a hot car like PLA). It's also resistant to most chemicals and easy to print. I've replaced all my functional prints with PETG.

I'd eventually like to print with Nylon. It's an overall high temperature resistant, chemical resistant, and impact resistant material. The only issue is that it's difficult to print with (heated chamber required), higher cost per roll, and emits gases at printing temperatures which can be detremiental to health.

A lot of the functional injected molded plastic pieces from the factory are either Nylon (intake runners, turbo inlet pipes, brake hose vacuum lines), polycarbonate, or TPU (polyurethane bumpers)

Manufacturers nowadays make any thermoplastic into filament rolls which can be obtained with relative ease. ABS, PETG, PLA, TPU, Nylon (PA6), and even filaments with chopped carbon fiber for additional rigidity.

 

[XDleader555]

Printed and painted some winter wheel caps.

It is important to chose the right plastic for the application. The heat inside the car and weight of the GPS caused the custom stand to lean over.

Those wheel caps are sick

 

[XDleader555]

Hidden USB Panel for Volkswagen MKIV

Printables

www.printables.com

 

[XDleader555]

I have been looking for an adapter everywhere, preferably something I can 3D Print rather then buy, especially since most of them dont fit my lever. I have the weird 23mm shifter in my Golf that even finding a picture online is rare. Seems like this is for the 12mm correct?

View attachment 195264

Yeah it's for the 12mm shifter. Unfortunately the inner diameter is of the after market shift knob is 20mm, a bit too small to fit over the 23mm shifter.

I've already remodeled the entire aftermarket 20th shifter, and I could modify it to fit the 23mm shaft if you're okay with a fully 3D printed shift knob. You'd just need to buy the sticker that goes on top.

 

[XDleader555]

Highly doubt 3D Printing a whole shifter is a good idea, especially since my friend only prints PLA (No clue how strong that is). Also had an adapter in mind that would convert it into threaded to attach something like this.
View attachment 195274

However I reckon it would end up being tall as hell. And dont even know if it would be possible seeing how its push down to reverse.

It wouldn't be the entire shifter, just the shift knob which would slide over the existing shaft. Most of the force would be exerted on the shaft and not so much on the 3D printed part since it's just a cover. It would be as tall as the stock knob.

PLA wouldn't handle the heat of the car very well. It would have to be at least PETG or ABS.

You could probably do something like that photo, the push down to reverse mechanism is below the pivot ball (at least on my shifter) and shouldn't be an issue.

 

[XDleader555]

Glove Box Air Valve Adapter for Volkswagen MKIV Golf/Jetta

Printables

www.printables.com

I haven't actually gotten a chance to drill the hole in the HVAC box, but the adapter is done lol.

 

[XDleader555]

Its the hatch emblem from the back of the car. You can nab them from the junkyard or purchase aftermarket ones from eBay or AliExpress for like $10. They come with precut adhesive, so you just stick it on the 3D printed clip.

On higher trim cars like on the Passat and Audi's, there's a little vent inside the glovebox. Apparently it's to keep a bottle or unopened soda can cold for longer by turning the glovebox into a mini cooler using the AC.

https://youtu.bedmlbl5oNPhc

If you look at the back of a Golf/Jetta glovebox, there's a little template punch out for it. The valve from the Passat will fit, but the mounting tabs for the air hose are missing on the Golf/Jetta HVAC box (see the image below for a Passat HVAC box). The 3D printed adapter does away with the mounting tab and runs the hose directly to the glovebox.

I'll write actual installation post after I get to it.

 

[XDleader555]

Cable Guide 1J0971848H for Volkswagen MKIV

Printables

www.printables.com

Customized vacuum hose and cable guide for the Volkswagen MKIV 2.0 AEG engine.

When replacing the rotting braided vacuum lines which lead to the SAI solenoid, the new vacuum hoses may no longer fit into the guide. This 3D printed replacement can accommodate 9mm, 10mm, and 11mm outer diameter vacuum hoses.