[2010TDI]

Okay, some updates...

Decided to go with an air suspension system. The coilovers were nice but would bottom out in a low setting. Unfortunately the Touareg suffers a bit when trying to lower it with clearance issues on the front upper arms hitting the top of the fender... might have something to do with being an SUV for offroading. LOL The air suspension lets me go low for car shows and cruising around and I can lift it for snow during winter. I love the flexibility I now have with the custom height settings.

The system I used is the Autopilot V2 with Aerosport bags over coils. We are running twin tanks and compressors under the rear hatch (where the muffler used to be) so I still have my spare tire and tools. We reused the BC Coilovers since they threaded collar let us dial in the static height and the struts are adjustable for ride quality. The bags just mount in place of where the springs used to be. Below are some updated pics of the new system and my updated mods:

Exterior:
• European R-line front valance (non reflector)
• European R-line rear valance (darkened reflector)
• Hofele side skirts
• Tuning GT rear roof spoiler
• Forgestar CF5 20x10.5” deep concave wheels with custom offset in Bronze
• DDM Tuning HID headlight kit (6000k)
• Stealth Bulb turn signal and parking lights (front)
• European rear fog light
• ECS Tuning Ziza 3000k front fog light bulbs
• Painted lower door trim
• Red painted calipers with Brembo stickers
• European R-line VW emblems (front and rear)
• Porsche Cayenne dual outlet sport exhaust tips
• Anti glare (blue tint) aspherical mirrors
• Body colored front grill
• Dectane LED tail lights custom smoked

Interior:
• European paddle shifters
• Autometer boost gauge – A pillar mounted
• Custom DTC carbon fiber sport steering wheel
• Pioneer 9115BT Navigation head unit
• Eclipse EQS-1001 center channel speaker (custom mounted in upper dash)
• Hertz HDP5 5 Channel amplifier under rear seat
• Image Dynamics 10” subwoofer in custom fiberglass enclosure (rear drivers side hatch)
• European upper dash cubby bin
• European R50 shifter handle
• Alcantara Nogaro Blue custom interior (seat and door panel inserts)
• Custom built sport front seats (R50 style)with power passenger seat added(originally manual passenger seat)
• Red foot well lighting
• European headlight switch
• Door red clearance lights (instead of reflectors)
• Sport pedals (Accelerator and brake)
• Phaeton parking brake pedal
• Rennline dead pedal cover
• Custom carbon fiber door, dash, and center console inserts
• 5% limo window tint
• Boyo VTL375 rear view camera


Mechanical:
• Custom exhaust (Rear muffler removed)
• Unitronic custom tune (226HP and 402TQ at the wheels)
• BC Racing coilovers with AeroSport air bags over coils
• Autopilot V2 air suspension controller
• Twin air tanks and compressors mounted under rear hatch
• R1 cross drilled rotors with zinc plating (front and rear)
• Porsche Cayenne GTS sway bars (front and rear)
• Vag-Com coding: Transmission ROW setting, seatbelt disable, Fogs with high beams, etc

 

[2010TDI]

Okay, here are some pics of the air suspension install....

This is the main controller and manifold, it was mounted in the rear hatch on the drivers side.

Here is another pic of the controller from above.

and another show of the controller with the hatch floor installed.

These are the modified front struts using BC Racing coilover bodies with the Aero Sport bag over coils. The threaded collar was set so that in an aired out state the upper arms would just be below the fender but not hit. That way if I did have an air suspension failure it would still be drivable.

These are the two tanks run in series. The use the factory mount points for the muffler heat shielding.

and here you can see the custom made plate with the two mount points that attach to the underside bolts where the heat shielding used to be.

Here is one of the compressors (I have two) that mount underneath on the sides. The tanks mount inbetween them where the muffler would be.

And the main system controller. It allows 8 presets and manual control. I had it run to my center console so I can have it out of site when not being used.

Big thanks to Matt and team at HardParker Garage for the install!

\\/

 

[Perry01]

Nice job, it looks great.
.

 

[2010TDI]

Okay, adding some pics of the various heights I can do for reference...

Daily driver mode

Full height

Full drop (limited due to suspension clearance issues!)

And how I cruise the local malls

 

[2010TDI]

Well, the time has finally come for me to move on to a new project. Would much prefer to have a fellow enthusiast get my baby as I put much blood,sweat, and tears into her. See below for details...

http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f47/2010-touareg-tdi-custom-r-line-version-171722.html

 

[ENDEE666]

Car looks so sick man.. What is the offset on those Forgestar's? And what size tires are you running on them?

 

[2010TDI]

Hi Endee666, I believe the offset is 42 which brought the wheels flush with the fenders with no spacers. The rim size is 20"x10.5" all around running Continental Extreme DWS 295/40/20 tires. No rubbing even when fully dropped and do great in all weather including snow! The handling with the Cayenne GTS sway bars and the 295mm wide tires is very impressive for an SUV.

 

[ENDEE666]

Hi Endee666, I believe the offset is 42 which brought the wheels flush with the fenders with no spacers. The rim size is 20"x10.5" all around running Continental Extreme DWS 295/40/20 tires. No rubbing even when fully dropped and do great in all weather including snow! The handling with the Cayenne GTS sway bars and the 295mm wide tires is very impressive for an SUV.

Looks incredible man. Best looking Touareg I have seen. Did you do the sways at the same time as the rest or did you happen to get a before/after feeling from the sways alone? I have been considering GTS/Turbo sways too, but when I measured the sways I already have they were only 1-2mm different. Just not sure how much difference I would see from just that little bit..

 

[noobytoogy]

You only measured the overall diameter, not the thickness of the steel tube from which they are made...

 

[ENDEE666]

They're not solid??

 

[2010TDI]

I did this so long ago I can't remember the details... but it does make a noticeable improvement in handling that has been experienced by many on this forum who have done the upgrade... and to Noobytoogy's point, it is the strength of the bars rather than just the overall thickness that makes a difference.

David

 

[noobytoogy]

They're not solid??

No and they can rust through and snap too!

 

[Rs246quattro]

Really Cool Ride mate !

Do you remeber the ET on the rims ?

 

[2010TDI]

Latest update... made it into the "Built not Bought" section of Performance VW Magazine Feb 2015 issue.

 

[2010TDI]

Well everyone, I am officially Touaregless... ended up that a good friend of mine was looking for a family car and bought my Touareg. I had to put some of it back to stock but at least its going to a good home. I enjoyed my time on Club Touareg and the project build. Regards,

David

 

[mhastings]

Congrats on the sale, David! Your Touareg was an inspiration. Amazing work! On to the next one

 

[ColumbusTouareg]

Do you have any items you plan to sell??

 

[2010TDI]

Already sold the wheels, the only other thing I took off was the custom air suspension which is now posted in the classifieds. My friend wanted everything else I had done on it.