Northern Newby

[Dubdoc]

I just found this site, and being interested in all things diesel, I thought I'd join up. Here's my oddball ride, a 1981 VW Rabbit Pickup. She's got a highly modified turbodiesel from a 1997 Passat wagon. I daily drive it all summer (have for the past 7 years) since we have a lot of slush and salt in the winter, and love it more every day. Where else will you find a truck that can obliterate any ricer and still give 60 mpg (Canadian) when I stay out of the turbo?

[CoyleJR]

Dubdoc,
Welcome to The Diesel Page. You have a rare little jewel of a truck. Back in the 1980s I had two VW diesel pickup trucks like you have. They are great transportation and get great fuel mileage. You also were smart to turbo charge the little guy. If I remember correctly the original NA diesel was only rated at 48 hp. I think you have a keeper, just stay out of the road salt. Both of my trucks rusted away in the salt air on the North Shore of Oahu, Hi.

John

[bowtiebutler]

That is a beautiful VW you have there, and Welcome to The DP. How about a pic of under the hood?

Matt

[Dubdoc]

Thanks guys. As requested, here are a few under-hood pics. First is the old 1.6TD that was basically stock, then the moneypit 2 liter that has made this little truck so much fun to drive.

[bowtiebutler]

Very nice work!

Matt

[Robyn]

Looking good

Glad to have ya aboard


Missy

[arveetek]

Thanks for sharing! Sweet ride.

Casey

[trbankii]

My parents have owned VWs for the past twenty-eight years. Their current ones are a TDI Passat and TDI Golf. Nice little cars. I’ve been contemplating a TDI swap into something if I can find time for it.

[Dubdoc]

I've also been thinking of a TDI swap into something 4x4, like maybe a Suzuki. These guys make great adapter kits.

http://www.acmeadapters.com/index.php

[trbankii]

I know the VW TDIs are a pretty popular swap for the Suzuki crowd and have also seen a few Toyota pickups/4Runners with them swapped as well. I’ve considered a full transaxle swap into another car as a possibility.

[phantom309]

Cute little truck,.

compared to my old 94 3/4 ton extended cab 4x4,.. i always thought your vw fit into the ricer category,.

[Dubdoc]

Cute little truck,.

compared to my old 94 3/4 ton extended cab 4x4,.. i always thought your vw fit into the ricer category,.

Now please play nice ! Those is fightin words !

[Dubdoc]

I know the VW TDIs are a pretty popular swap for the Suzuki crowd and have also seen a few Toyota pickups/4Runners with them swapped as well. I’ve considered a full transaxle swap into another car as a possibility.

Cool. There is an older 4x4 Toyota here with a TDI conversion. It works better than the original 4 cylinder. What car is planned for this ambitious endeavor?

[trbankii]

What car is planned for this ambitious endeavor?

No plans yet, mostly just dreams.

[Dubdoc]

Let me know if I can be of any help.

[hoarder]

Very clean and neatly done. How many work hours have you invested in building it?

[Dubdoc]

It was a solid chassis to start with, so I've been driving it more than actually working on it. I have been at it, off and on, for about 8 years now.

[hoarder]

It was a solid chassis to start with, so I've been driving it more than actually working on it. I have been at it, off and on, for about 8 years now.

That is good to know!

[Dubdoc]

It's like any "project" I guess. Are they ever finished? This winter, it's a little more electrics, some exhaust work, some more AutoMeter gauges, and on, and on, and on......

[Dubdoc]