Getting a Rabbit Pickup

[cgarr]

My son who is stationed in Gulf port MS with NMCB1 found this old 82 rabbit pickup down there this summer. While we were on vacation from Michigan we stopped in to see him and looked over the truck, he was thinking of flipping it but this thing is in such nice shape (rust wise) I am heading down there to trailer it back next Friday. He has just over a year left with the Navy so we are going to do a full restro when he gets back home next year.

I'm starting to collect some parts, its a gas engine, (wish it was a diesel) I have a nice 1.8 16v motor to install in it. Should be a nice project, don't see too many of these around, maybe because they were so ugly, lol

[Hard-Deck]

Very cool. A project w/ your Son will be priceless. A diesel would be cool, but that little gas engine will be just fine. Please tell your boy thanks for his service.

[genrex]

The tailgate lifts right off, and is super easy to steal (and sell for scrap).

Don't forget to go to the Ford dealership and order a tailgate lock for a Ford Courier pickup. Fits like a charm, and stops tailgate theft. No more worries.

When I had my '82 pickup, I installed silver 14x6 '83 - '84 GTI wheels thinking it would improve the handling, but it didn't do much except spiff up the looks a bit. They are fun little trucks. I know you'll enjoy it.

__

[cgarr]

We have a set of snowflakes we might try on it to see what it looks like. Also have some teardrops too.

[porsche4life]

We have two diesels and a gas we'd sell you for parts...

[Nickshu]

Fun little cars....the German equivalent of an El Camino. I had an '81 Rabbit and an '83 GTI (Rabbit GTI). Used to drive an '82 diesel Rabbit pickup around for a business I worked for years ago.

Not sure if you really wish it were a diesel. Those early VW diesels were a far cry from modern diesels. They were VERY slow.

Would be cool to get parts from an '83-84 GTI and put in. GTI seats and interior panels, maybe GTI gauges, GTI bumpers, GTI grill GTI wheels would look great on that car and would be a bolt on upgrade most likely.

Found this one online, similar color as yours with GTI wheels, bumpers , wheel arches, and grill:

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by Nickshu

Not sure if you really wish it were a diesel. Those early VW diesels were a far cry from modern diesels. They were VERY slow.

I had an '81 Rabbit ............

Same here, '81 Rabbit Diesel. Yes, the diesel was slow but fast enough to get around. And around I got with 1 gallon lasting for fifty miles! My car had an extra 10 gallon tank. Together with the factory 10 gallon tank I got 1000 miles on one fill-up.

[Dan J]

Does the seat go back far enough to be comfortable?
For an average sized guy

[regency]

I bought a Silver 1981 gas VW PU new from Niello VW in 1981. It was a great little truck. I installed GTI wheels, Tires & seats. Wish I still had it.

1973 911 T MFI Coupe, Aubergine

Steve

[Nostril Cheese]

Had a Rabbit diesel. AM radio with one speaker. Burn your ass in the summer vinyl seats.

The slowest car you could ever imagine. I nearly cried the first time I drove a GTI.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by Nickshu

Fun little cars....the German equivalent of an El Camino. I had an '81 Rabbit and an '83 GTI (Rabbit GTI). Used to drive an '82 diesel Rabbit pickup around for a business I worked for years ago.

Not sure if you really wish it were a diesel. Those early VW diesels were a far cry from modern diesels. They were VERY slow.

Would be cool to get parts from an '83-84 GTI and put in. GTI seats and interior panels, maybe GTI gauges, GTI bumpers, GTI grill GTI wheels would look great on that car and would be a bolt on upgrade most likely.

Found this one online, similar color as yours with GTI wheels, bumpers , wheel arches, and grill:

I have had several, converted one from diesel to gas (basily a GTI swap) GTI door panels don't fit as the pick uses the smaller doors from the 4 door and I would lave to have another one, one day. I have an NOS VW rear tonneau cover still, a Kamie hood scoop & MOMO rims for if I ever get another one..

[flskala]

Originally Posted by porwolf

Same here, '81 Rabbit Diesel. Yes, the diesel was slow but fast enough to get around. And around I got with 1 gallon lasting for fifty miles! My car had an extra 10 gallon tank. Together with the factory 10 gallon tank I got 1000 miles on one fill-up.

I had a four door sedan with the extra tank in the spare tire well too. I made it from NJ to to FL border without refueling. Total cost of fuel in 1991 from NJ to FL (few days in FL) and back to NJ.......$52! Go ahead, beat that... Oh, almost forgot it had working A/C and a sunroof.