2017 VW Alltrack - Nimble9's first Euro Car aka the DadWagon

Yeah I think it's a neat thing, but unless I'm always working on my suspension it's not worth it, plus I can't use it on my tacoma and for oil changes I use ramps for our crosstrek.

good advice thank you.

I 100% plan on going this route, as I have watched and read a bunch of installs so it looks to be the most simple way to "wiggle" the knuckle off

 

Yep, DSG. Been enjoying this transmission so far, even stock this thing gets out of its own way.
It's a 2018 SEL with 5,700 miles on it. Planning on keeping it stock until warranty is up at end of January, just in case. Then just a stage 1 and AWE exhaust. At least that's the plan. I don't need it crazy. It sat for long periods and the tech said the heater core was likely already partially plugged up since I'm not getting heat on passenger/floor. Other than addressing that and getting an oil change and maybe some new tires, seems good. I understand why these have the fan base that they do.

 

Plan to get creative with the knuckle. I've done probably 20 or 30 of these and one thing would work on one, and another thing would work on a different car. I would spray some PB Blaster around the top edge of the knuckle where it meets the strut body. I've used hammers to knock the strut loose. I've used harsh language. But once it breaks free, it breaks free. I have a feeling you're going to definitely have a fight on your hands because PA, but I hope you don't. And installing the new strut, be sure it's sitting as low in the knuckle as it can be. You can run your finger around near the bottom and feel where it sits.

Sorry, it's been a while since I've last done one and the memories are coming back a few at a time. Old sucks.

 

I swear VW underrates their engines.

 

It certainly feels that way. It's peppy for a 170hp wagon.

 

yeah, even just putting 93 in it and a few mods made the acceleration a bit quicker. Honestly I love the platform

LOL at strong language.

I'm hoping that it's not too bad, it looks like it's been garage kept and I haven't driven it in snow myself yet so I'm hoping it isn't too bad.

If my Tacoma steering shaft splines can come apart at 230k miles I'm hoping the suspension on the alltrack can at 68k

 

I'll cross my fingers!

 

I think it's a great platform as well.
I've only had it for this one tank so far and just filled with 87, but I'll give 93 a go next.
Few things I'd like to do right away before bigger items. Needs tint, the factory clear windows on the black body is a bit too much weird contrast for me. I'd like some rear hatch R side trim pieces. I think you did those? I have to hunt some down. Floor mats to replace factory carpet ones and some roof bars. Then I can start getting my head around some other stuff. Would like it a little lower. Thinking about paint matching the black plastic flaring and trim pieces. I actually like the OEM wheels so not rushing those outta here. I mean, the cool thing is these don't need a lot. You certainly can do a lot, but they're enjoyable from jump.
Oh and I'm gonna clean my sunroof drains, just in case. The pollen is starting to get insane down here, that doesn't help anything when it rains.

 

I went with 20% or maybe even 15% ceramic I think all the way around as I like it dark. Factory all weather floor mats were included when I bought the thing so that’s what I rock


I bought mine for $20 on eBay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1447827147...gkgjkzcTLm&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

and so far so good. Multiple car washes, accidental not touchless car wash once.

my car came with factory roof racks that clear the moon roof which was nice. I can dig for the part number tomorrow if you’d like.

Paint matching the plastic looks sick I say do it!


If you like turbo noises I highly recommend an open intake lol

Throttle response it’s a smidge better from that alone (it was an early mod) and boy is it addicting hearing the diverter valve

 

UV Protect that hood often before it becomes dull, yellow crack!

Resin and the sun hate each other.

 

oh that's not mine lol I'm not a fan of unpainted CF unless it's like little details!

Mine's 99% stock body

 

Thanks for the eBay link, appreciate it!
Yours looks good with that tint. I have to think about it. I know in VA 50% front is the most, but rear is anything you want. How do you like the factory rack? REI here has the Yakima setup that'll work and I have some credit there so was thinking of going that route.
Agree on the paint matched plastics, I think they can look great. Audi has it as a factory option for most of the Allroad colors, VW should've done that too. Gotta look into cost, but I think on the black it'll look clean.
Might have to snag some black mirror caps too.
Funny you mentioned the open air intake, I had just watched some videos on the APR one. Definitely seems like it livens things up!

PS- Ran across this earlier. This guys R estate looks great:

https://youtu.be/KAF4LIA8AzE?t=155

 

Re: VA tint. What's your relationship with your eye doctor like? You can get a waiver for 35% on the side windows. Anything behind that can be as dark as you want. 35% is not that bad and the darker rear windows can make it look darker. I've been running a waiver for years. It's impossible for me to drive at night without darker windows.

 

I was just was reading about it and for sedans it mentioned 50% front windows and 35% everything else, which is interesting. SUVs and vans, etc is 50% fronts and whatever everywhere else. Is the Alltrack considered a sedan in this case? I'm guessing yes.
Good question on the waiver. I do wear glasses haha, maybe I could talk to the Doc. I don't want darker than 35% anyway, but I do like uniformity and would prefer not having diff tints. I could do 50 all around and probably be okay with it, just as is, its fishbowly.

 

The definition would depend on the officer. But if you think about it, it's a lifted AWD station wagon. Which is basically what most SUVs are. It's grey. If it were me, it's a gamble I would take. And I live near and travel through one of the worst ticketing locales in VA.

I used to do 20% when the enforcement was more lax. I found as I got older, it was a little dangerous at night in dark areas. For me, the 35% is a good compromise. I've seen 50% on cars and on certain cars it's not even noticeable. I don't think I'd waste the money.

Is window tinting still a primary offense? I thought it was reduced to a secondary offense. In that, they can't pull you over for just tint. There would have to be another infraction for a stop.

 

Never knew you made a build thread for this. Read the whole thing. Before my tacoma I came from a 03 gli vr6 had it for 6 years I had it on kw coils and was turbod made roughly 350hp. But it broke axles like twigs. Unfortunately I have only 1 picture of it and the bike kinda blocks it. Was a six speed. Love how smooth the clutches were on the vw. Before the vr6 had a 99 Wolfsburg 1.8t. One of these days I will get another one. It's been sitting in the back of my mind.

 

I need tint, as it’s literally been the difference in making it home from work with a migraine before.

so today was a maintenance day for the car. Still working to find the time to swap to the gti suspension, but the TT spring pads for the rears are in.


69,516 - 3/26/2023 - Heinst oil filter, liqui-moly 5w-40 - full drain new OEM Corteco plug





Dropped the skid for a full drain this time



Only the best



Topped off the tires too



Quick trip to ikea to grab the last pieces of the nursery furniture

 

Looks like Ikea Philly. LOL!

 

That is not the VW approved method of performing an oil change!

 

Conshohocken!!!!

From the filler neck works great! i finally dropped the skid plate as I'm chasing down what feels like a driveline vibration under heavy load. like when my carrier bearing went out on my taco.

and def not VW approved, I used a phillips head screwdriver to get the plastic plug out and a new one back in. it's weirdly made for one, even though I know there is a tool for it.