1981 Vw Rabbit Pickup Truck-TURBO DIESEL
1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Description
Selling my fun little project truck. Have over $8000 in it. I really hate to see it go, but paying bills is more important. Ok, onto the details.
Here's the good:
1) I started with a 99% rust free body from California (had a California title when I bought it). And It was in fairly decent shape.
2) Pulled the stock 1.6d and put in another 1.6d I had built to my specs. I started with a worn out block that had the head rebuilt. Vatted the block, crack checked, then bored and honed the cylinders to a perfect 0.040" to accept brand new 0.040" turbo diesel pistons. The crank was then sent off and ground to 0.010" under to make it perfect. All new bearings throughout. The stock oil pump was replaced with a hi-flow one with larger gears. The block was then repainted to as close as I could get to original green, then entirely resealed with new gaskets. The cylinder head was the checked for warpage and it was perfect. The valves had already had a guide job done apparently so new valve seals were installed, then the valves were set. To make a perfect tight seal, I use a turbo diesel head gasket with hylomar, then bolted down with a brand new set of arp head studs.
3) The engine was then paired with a brand new sachs clutch, and entirely resealed ff code 5 speed trans.
4) Then installed a brand new turbo, new exhaust manifold and gaskets. New intake manifold for alh code tdi's that was modified to fit with this engine.
5) Injectors came next, Installed a new set of rare bosio sp239's
6) Injection pump was entirely resealed, 0 leaks. Turbo top was also installed.
7) New water pump, all new coolant hoses, new larger radiator, new lower temp thermostat, New lower temp thermo switch.
8) All the guys who do turbo builds on these recommend running a air-to-oil cooler, so I put a new small oil cooler kit in. It sandwiches in-between the filter and adaptor, and mounts in front of the radiator. Most days oil temps sit dead level on 190F. If your pushing it driving against the wind on a hot day it might creep to about 210F. If its really cold (below 30F) I put a piece of cardboard over that area of the grille so the engine can warm up.
9) Full custom exhaust, from the turbo back to the axle is 2.25" then swells to 3'' for ultimate flow and a nice deep performance tone without looking ridiculous.
10) Has a full size spare under the bed w/ brand new rubber on it. never driven 1 mile.
11) Interior is very clean. heater gets real toasty on cold days, and blower works perfectly.
12) Adjustable mirrors work, just a stiff. Wipers have the delay package from the factory nice in the rain
13) Brand new blaupunkt cd radio w/ panasonic speakers in the doors. looks clean and sounds real nice.
14) Brand new 15" led light bar underneath the front bumper (not noticable). Cleanly wired in, with the install kit and led switch under the dash.
15) No the sunroof doesn't leak.
16) 0 black smoke when lugged. Fuel is set very lean for low egts.
17) Bed has been spraylined.
18) Front suspension entirely rebuilt with new heavy duty springs, struts, bumpers, hardware, and mounts.
19) The rear leaf springs have been upgraded so it sits up a little higher in the back and doesn't squat as much when loaded.
The bad:
1) the truck was dented on the passenger door and side panel, and repaired, but the paint was poor so you can tell that it was repainted there.
2) The drivers side tail light housing was bumped and it doesen't fit on tight now. (needs a new one)
3) my egt gauge quit working cant afford a new one right now ($120)
4) After I finished it the waste gate on the turbo opens @ 15lbs of boost so the truck boosted really easy. I wanted it to top out at 10lbs of boost so I set the waste gate open slightly. It doesen't whistle very loud now and its somewhat laggy. (10lbs of boost is a huge improvement over stock tho so I'm happy)
5) I think I have the fuel set a little too lean so it idles funny sometimes. I'm not turning up the fuel until i get an egt gauge in. Runs perfectly otherwise tho.
6) Sunroof doesn't open.
7) Rear bumper has seen better days.
8) temp gauge works intermittently
9) seats need reupholstering.
Call or text anytime if your serious and have questions. Would drive across country right now. 11,000mi since rebuild. Need to sell asap, so shoot me an offer.
nineone 8 nine o0 42 oneone
More Volkswagen classic cars for sale