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I thought to myself: "Hey, I've got this Volkswagen Flipkey laying around. Let's see about cramming a 4GB USB drive in it". The one thing I did not want is to see the USB sticking out of the key. I wanted to keep it original looking.
I thought about trying to fit my retractable Cruzer drive, but upon further inspection, decided that it would be a huge challenge, plus I wanted to keep it original looking when closed. I happen to have a male - male USB cable that a friend gave me. This is why I went with the female USB connector here.
For this Instructable, I have already knocked out the laser side-cut key that went to my friend's new Beetle. I used a the key for my 1991 VW Golf and trimmed it to fit in this Flipkey.
Additionally, I was at a big box retailer and found a Kingston 4GB Micro SD w/ USB adapter. The USB was normally $25 - Marked down to $14.90. Add to that a $10 mail-in rebate - this whole project cost on the order of $5.00.
If you have to purchase the Flipkey or a USB, your costs will vary.
On with the Instructable.
I thought about trying to fit my retractable Cruzer drive, but upon further inspection, decided that it would be a huge challenge, plus I wanted to keep it original looking when closed. I happen to have a male - male USB cable that a friend gave me. This is why I went with the female USB connector here.
For this Instructable, I have already knocked out the laser side-cut key that went to my friend's new Beetle. I used a the key for my 1991 VW Golf and trimmed it to fit in this Flipkey.
Additionally, I was at a big box retailer and found a Kingston 4GB Micro SD w/ USB adapter. The USB was normally $25 - Marked down to $14.90. Add to that a $10 mail-in rebate - this whole project cost on the order of $5.00.
If you have to purchase the Flipkey or a USB, your costs will vary.
On with the Instructable.
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Signing UpStep 1Getting the Pieces Together
You will need the following items:
Volkswagen Flipkey
Micro SD card with USB adapter - I used a Kingston MBLY/4GBKR
A male USB connector
A female USB connector
4 wires or 4-wire ribbon cable
Dremel tool - Very handy!
Exacto knife
Low-Temp soldering iron and solder
Super glue
Baking soda - Trust me on this!
Volkswagen Flipkey
Micro SD card with USB adapter - I used a Kingston MBLY/4GBKR
A male USB connector
A female USB connector
4 wires or 4-wire ribbon cable
Dremel tool - Very handy!
Exacto knife
Low-Temp soldering iron and solder
Super glue
Baking soda - Trust me on this!
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Buy a MK2 Key with a metal head only - no plastic!
Next, partially open the flip key and knock out the pin that secures the laser-cut key in place (Use a tap hammer and a small drill bit or something to tap it out - keep the pin!!!!)
Compare the laser key to your MK2 key, line them up and etch a trace around the laser cut key onto the MK2 key.
Now, take that to a grinder and go to town, get close and finish with files until the MK2 key and the laser cut key bases look the same. Test fit.
Next, notice that the laser cut key has a vertical notch where that pin would line up and hold it for the flipkey. Using the edge of a file, make a shallow notch on the MK2 key that matches the laser cut key.
Reinsert the pin using needle-nose pliers and a small tap hammer. Test, it should work great!
The alternative is to cheat and buy a pre-fab VW HAA keyblank that will fit the flipkey. Check out www.keysforvw.com - Will run you about $20 w/ shipping
If you make it yourself, you have something to brag about! Good luck!
The EuroVan, during the Mk4 years, also got the switchblade key, but still utilized the AH style locks. That is the specific application of the HAA blank for those trying to find it, Eurovan 2000 thru 2003 (at least in U.S. production).
Hope this helps open some people's options!
by the way what MK2 do you have?
Check it out:
http://s828.photobucket.com/albums/zz205/ryan97128/