1981 RABBIT- 5 SPD- DIESEL PICKUP

[fried1765]

I have my dad's VW Rabbit diesel pickup (60 K miles) that has been in dry storage for 27 years.
It is in fantastic condition, and on blocks, but I would like to get it running to sell.
I have just ordered a new battery (group 41 is hard to find), but I do not want to just put the battery in and try to start.
How should I go about purging all the old diesel from the lines and tank?
Should I first remove the injectors?
I am thinking about towing the vehicle to a diesel shop, for them to prep it for starting.
If I do that, about how many hours labor ($125+ per hr.?) might I expect.

 

[Jstpssng]

If you don't want to do the work yourself it would be better to sell it as is. If you do decide to get it running yourself it's probably better not to spend much on it.
Old vehicles are fun and can command high prices, but only because somebody first spent a lot of time/money on them.

 

[DerbyRunner]

One of my employees had one of those. It got high mileage since it produced very little power.

I rode in it exactly once. He hauled a light load of feed in the pickup bed and I rode along. He was a new employee and wanted to meet "the Boss." As he motored up a gentle hill I think the speed reduced down to 25 mph. I felt like I could get out and start walking. Motorists behind were honking. Then trying unsafe passes to get around him.

It's a great novelty piece, no doubt. But I wouldn't own one. Good luck bringing it back to its glory!

 

[number two]

Neat machine!
Old diesel fuel stores well.
Why not turn it over a few times with the new battery.
Then pull start it in 4th or 5th gear with some glow plug cycles.
You might be surprised!
Good Luck!

 

[jeff9366]

One of my employees had one of those. It got high mileage since it produced very little power.

I rode in it exactly once. He hauled a light load of feed in the pickup bed and I rode along. He was a new employee and wanted to meet "the Boss." As he motored up a gentle hill I think the speed reduced down to 25 mph. I felt like I could get out and start walking. Motorists behind were honking. Then trying unsafe passes to get around him.

It's a great novelty piece, no doubt. But I wouldn't own one. Good luck bringing it back to its glory!

I had a diesel Rabbit car. Same engine same chassis. Different bodywork. 50-mpg but dangerously underpowered, even in flat Florida. I sold it after two years when my finances permitted replacement. I purchased a gas Rabbit.

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

 

[Norm W]

Before you try to start it, replace the timing belt. The engine is an "Interference" engine. If the timing belt breaks when you try to start it, or soon after, you will bend valves and possibly put holes in the pistons. The rule for the belts is 6 years or 60,000 miles. That six years doesn't mean it has to be running.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

One of my employees had one of those. It got high mileage since it produced very little power.

I rode in it exactly once. He hauled a light load of feed in the pickup bed and I rode along. He was a new employee and wanted to meet "the Boss." As he motored up a gentle hill I think the speed reduced down to 25 mph. I felt like I could get out and start walking. Motorists behind were honking. Then trying unsafe passes to get around him.

It's a great novelty piece, no doubt. But I wouldn't own one. Good luck bringing it back to its glory!

A friend had a diesel 5 speed rabbit. IIRC, it had like 53hp.

In other words, we always said "It couldn't pull a buttered string out of a hog's arse."

 

[s219]

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.

 

[fried1765]

Most here on TBN are apparently thinking that this is a vehicle that THEY would not want, and I understand that.
I am thinking that this is now a very rare vehicle, and that someone will seriously want it as a novelty.

Four years ago, I sold my 1986 GMC "Jimmy" diesel on E-bay.
165,000 miles, 29 years old, excellent condition.
Others said $4000 max.
It sold for $8200 on E-Bay, and the buyer paid for shipping to the Bahamas.

I an not the slightest bit concerned about a "thin market"
I only need two potential buyers, both of whom think they MUST have it.
The population of the USA is rapidly approaching 330 million.

I appreciate the timing belt recommendation. I will have that done!

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Most here on TBN are apparently thinking that this is a vehicle that THEY would not want, and I understand that.
I am thinking that this is now a very rare vehicle, and that someone will seriously want it as a novelty.

Four years ago, I sold my 1986 GMC "Jimmy" diesel on E-bay.
165,000 miles, 29 years old, excellent condition.
Others said $4000 max.
It sold for $8200 on E-Bay, and the buyer paid for shipping to the Bahamas.

I an not the slightest bit concerned about a "thin market"
I only need two potential buyers, both of whom think they MUST have it.
The population of the USA is rapidly approaching 330 million.

I appreciate the timing belt recommendation. I will have that done!

Don't take me wrong, there will be some collectors who want it. They just don't need to go very fast.

 

[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.