Posted in 2022

Clutch Bleeder Block Replacement

I opted to replace the stock plastic block with an all-metal block from ECS Tuning to get rid of the clutch delay valve. After doing this mod I definitely felt a difference when pressing the clutch pedal. It feels lighter and now I understand what people meant when they say the stock clutch feels mushy.

Read more ...


Desk Photo 2022

After moving back to Austin and settling in my big apartment.

Read more ...


Jack Pads

This modification makes it easier to put my car on jack stands in my garage. It adds a second set of jacking points to the car so I don’t have to jack up the car from the opposite side when rotating my tires. It was really easy to install too. In fact I installed this kit without needing to jack up the car at all and removing the old trim pieces was really effortless.

Read more ...


Snapmaker Enclosure Door Reversal

I recently moved my Snapmaker 2.0 A350T printer to another part of my home. The official enclosure has a solid panel on the left side, a large door on the right, and a smaller door on the front. These panels are only designed to be installed in one specific order and orientation.

Read more ...


OEMTools 24938 Gauge Mod

I change my own oil using the extraction method. Since my oil filter is accessible from the the top of the engine bay there’s no need for me to get under the car for oil changes. One of my gripes about this method was that I didn’t know how much pumping I had to do to keep the oil flowing.

Read more ...


Snapmaker 2.0 A350T Teflon Tube

I recently upgraded from my cheap and finicky Monoprice 3D printer to an expensive and versatile one (it WAS the latest and greatest for a few weeks 😭). After using it a few times I already got the modding itch.

Read more ...


Custom Fabricated Rack 2022

I got a couple of items that warranted rewiring my TV cabinet rack: StarTech extenders and P-Link server rails. I inverted the extenders so I could recess the patch panel and switch, making room for the SFP modules and fiber cables. I can’t believe I can’t find any right angle adapters for the LC/UPC fiber patch cables!

Read more ...


HomeLink Rearview Mirror

My 2019 Golf Alltrack SE came with an auto-dimming mirror, but I wanted the one with garage door buttons integrated in it. Since my car had the rain sensor option installed I already had power available to my mirror, so this upgrade was super easy to do. No coding was required.

Read more ...


MIB2 Composition Media Hacking

My US 2019 Golf Alltrack SE came with the MIB2 Composition Media infotainment system made by Delphi running QNX 6.5.0 (with firmware MST2_US_VW_P0890D release 0890). This unit has CarPlay/Android Auto but lacks navigation or maps of its own (though it has GPS). Lucky for me, it’s possible to gain root access to the unit.

Read more ...


MIB2 Developer Mode

My Alltrack came with an MIB2 Composition Media infotainment system. These are the steps I took to enable development mode and get some information about it. Enabling development mode also lets me take screenshots by holding down the Media button for 3 seconds and have them saved to the SD card. You’ll need an OBD11/OBDeleven or VCDS.

Read more ...