1981 RABBIT- 5 SPD- DIESEL PICKUP

[fried1765]

Agree, new timing belt before you turn it over. Also check over all the hoses and other parts on the motor that could have deteriorated.

These old VW diesels are in high demand. People convert them to run on recycled fryer oil and other crazy projects. Make sure you research the pricing so that you put a fair price on it (for your sake as a seller). I think you'll do a lot better than you expected.

I intend to let the E-Bay market determine the price.

 

[s219]

I intend to let the E-Bay market determine the price.

Keep us posted on the sale -- I'd be curious to know how it works out. Do you have any pictures?

 

[fried1765]

Keep us posted on the sale -- I'd be curious to know how it works out. Do you have any pictures?

No pictures yet, but will get them for E-Bay.
Need to get it out of the barn and get it washed.
Then I'll winch it on my equipment trailer, and take it in for a timing belt.
It is really a cute little bugger.
Tan with a black topper.
No rust!

My interest right now though is (playing with) fixing minor things on my 2006 new to me 250 hour Kubota L48.
Removing fenders to paint their underside, rebuilding seat, removing ROPS for paint, replacing muffler, etc.
It is my latest/last (?) big toy, and I'm lovin it!
The Rabbit diesel will need to wait a bit longer.

 

[dieselcrawler]

That lil VW truck would be a fun project... I'd add a turbo and drive it myself, great fuel mileage... but that's me, and my needs/wants... no cash to back them up!

 

[fried1765]

That lil VW truck would be a fun project... I'd add a turbo and drive it myself, great fuel mileage... but that's me, and my needs/wants... no cash to back them up!

On an essentially flat highway in 5th gear, it gets an honest 50mpg at 55 mph.

 

[Professor Marvel]

On an essentially flat highway in 5th gear, it gets an honest 50mpg at 55 mph.

i used to get 55 mpg on long haul highway runs in the mid 80s. 48 hp. ran it on diesel cut with gas or kero in cold weather per owners manual. people talk of it being weak but if you used the powerband at the right rpm you could make it jump. i even ran it on straight gas one christmas when all i could get on the Pa turnpike was gas. it wouldn't start again the next day until i mixed in heating oil from my oil tank and jumped on the bumper for a while to mix it up. i loved it.
good luck

 

[aczlan]

I speculate demand for your pickup will be very thin. I would sell it "as is".

They often sell for $7000-9000 in clean rust free condition.
Well worth spending a little money on getting it up and running before trying to sell it.

Aaron Z

 

[fried1765]

They often sell for $7000-9000 in clean rust free condition.
Well worth spending a little money on getting it up and running before trying to sell it.

Aaron Z

Thanks!
I am thinking the same.
It will go on E-Bay

 

[kf4uda]

That lil VW truck would be a fun project... I'd add a turbo and drive it myself, great fuel mileage... but that's me, and my needs/wants... no cash to back them up!

That’s an interesting idea. I bet that would put some pep in its step. There are probably kits out there that would drop in.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Its likely a very basic engine, so kit or not, Im sure I could fab up something that would work. Due to the age, and not being designed for a turbo application, I'd go conservative on turbo size, just big enough to add a little pep.