I was stationed in Germany for the US Army for a few years back around 97-01 and we had a small fleet of these trucks all around the post !! We used them for EVERY errand we could think of , these were an awesome little truck to use and have around !!
@@ivarwb4115 back in the day, I had a 1982 Vauxhall (General Motors) cavalier 1.6D, and that car had this set up. Truth be told, it didn’t make that much difference, as long as the glow plugs work properly.
@@smiffy1071 That was a quick response! And not surprising, because I can't understand that timing has a lot of impact on starting these engines compared to that of glow plugs and compression. Btw Vauxhalls are called Opel in my part of Europe :-)
Definitely you MUST replace the cam belt on these cars. Not the fastest car, but you just can’t argue with the fuel economy! I’ve been a diesel nut for many years.
I own a 1982 Rabbit pickup bought it brand new still dive it to this day it is a 1.6 L Diesel I have 291,400 miles on it I still love it and yes it was made at the westmoorland Pennsylvania plant from 1980-1983!
The tan color one is very good condition, I had two same year rabbits in MINNESOTA back in the day that were totally rusted and wouldn’t start under 16 degrees Fahrenheit unless plugged in, other than that I loved those VW’s. Put many miles on them.
One of my all time favorite cars was a 1984 Rabbit GTI (gas), it handled amazing. I always wanted to do a GTI conversion to one of these Rabbit pickups.
I had a 1.6 d jetta it went on and on and on slow but great. I have a 1.6d turbo somewhere but that's here in UK The cold start was called choke over here
Have to say that Tan / brown interior is as dated as can be! Hard to imagine that people wanted that color interior back then! Nice finds...a rare ...I mean "uncommon" site here in New York! I see less and less of these Caddy's. Interesting to note that they still make a modern pickup version in Europe of the VW Caddy! I also saw a full size Caddy in the NY Autoshow a couple of years back as a Prototype.
I've only seen one for sale in my area, $8,000 and it was in worse condition than either of those. I'd love to buy one and give it a tiny little flatbed but that'd be above my skill level since it's unibody.
ARednecksLife it does eventually. Diesel fuel attracts water kind of like brake fluid does.... but it takes years to do it. Unlike petrol which goes bad after a couple of months.
Got to love a VW GOLF..lol, yes I know, you call them RABBITS...Them early series engines powered others In the VW group going up to 1900 CC both turbo and not turbo versions, my sons VW camper had the slow 1600 non turbo VW diesel taken out and replaced with a strait bolt in AUDI 1900 diesel non turbo engine and its so reliable but pushes the high top camper along better..(IAN) - UK
@@Volkswear I can't believe how much cool stuff you come across out in your neck of the woods. Caddys like these are as rare as hen's teeth here in upstate NY. And those are very fair prices...I would have totally bought one of these from you!
I was stationed in Germany for the US Army for a few years back around 97-01 and we had a small fleet of these trucks all around the post !! We used them for EVERY errand we could think of , these were an awesome little truck to use and have around !!
edward tomczyk
Shame that here in the USA people never loved them.
Wünderbar. I have a 1.6TD in my 81 Rabbit Truck. Thanks for saving these Classics.
Watching you drive and start them makes me love my tdi engine in my 81 caddy.
So. Much. More. Powerful.
The cold start isn’t like a choke on a petrol car. What it does is advance the injection timing.
Good to know. I was wondering how it worked. This is the first time I've every messed with these diesels. JC.
Glad you explained that, cause I couldn't understand why there was a choke in a diesel. Was this a common setup??
@@ivarwb4115 back in the day, I had a 1982 Vauxhall (General Motors) cavalier 1.6D, and that car had this set up.
Truth be told, it didn’t make that much difference, as long as the glow plugs work properly.
@@smiffy1071 That was a quick response!
And not surprising, because I can't understand that timing has a lot of impact on starting these engines compared to that of glow plugs and compression.
Btw Vauxhalls are called Opel in my part of Europe :-)
Definitely you MUST replace the cam belt on these cars. Not the fastest car, but you just can’t argue with the fuel economy!
I’ve been a diesel nut for many years.
Hard to find a good one.
(And here is two!)
Yes, was simple to update the engine a couple years.
You’re gonna regret not keeping one of these! Lol
I probably will. JC.
Yep 100%
I own a 1982 Rabbit pickup bought it brand new still dive it to this day it is a 1.6 L Diesel I have 291,400 miles on it I still love it and yes it was made at the westmoorland Pennsylvania plant from 1980-1983!
Ted H
To 1984.
The tan color one is very good condition, I had two same year rabbits in MINNESOTA back in the day that were totally rusted and wouldn’t start under 16 degrees Fahrenheit unless plugged in, other than that I loved those VW’s. Put many miles on them.
Someone probably put a later Jetta turbo diesel in them if they are 1600 td. Awesome trucks, thanks for the videos.
vw64manyrd yup.
Never got turbo diesel rabbit pickups here in the USA.
One of my all time favorite cars was a 1984 Rabbit GTI (gas), it handled amazing. I always wanted to do a GTI conversion to one of these Rabbit pickups.
Phenomenal!
Don’t ever use starting fluid. Use WD40 if you need starting fluid. Sounds like your glow plugs are working properly though.
Pretty cool little pickups, I'd drive one!
I had a 1.6 d jetta it went on and on and on slow but great. I have a 1.6d turbo somewhere but that's here in UK
The cold start was called choke over here
I got an 81 and am finishing up installing a 2.0 aba motor out of a 93 Golf. Can't wait to drive it!
I have a 81 and love mine. Those are clean.
Brian Lane
Same
Used to have 1 just like the tan one. Loved that little truck
I have a tan one.
“You could set it on fire,
roll it down a hill
I still wouldn’t trade it for a couple de ville”
Have to say that Tan / brown interior is as dated as can be! Hard to imagine that people wanted that color interior back then! Nice finds...a rare ...I mean "uncommon" site here in New York! I see less and less of these Caddy's. Interesting to note that they still make a modern pickup version in Europe of the VW Caddy! I also saw a full size Caddy in the NY Autoshow a couple of years back as a Prototype.
I've only seen one for sale in my area, $8,000 and it was in worse condition than either of those. I'd love to buy one and give it a tiny little flatbed but that'd be above my skill level since it's unibody.
Caleb M I must of sold these way too cheap. Each sold for around $3K. JC.
Both of the engines are from Jetta 1.6 Turbo Diesels. No pickups were built with the turbo diesel.
Those are sweet as hell. I’d drive the heck out of those.
I daily a 81 rabbit diesel coupe and it’s the love of my life, all white with brown leather interior and woodgrain steering wheels
Very nice
Being a diesel not much can go wrong and for the most part diesel fuel doesn’t go bad.
ARednecksLife it does eventually. Diesel fuel attracts water kind of like brake fluid does.... but it takes years to do it.
Unlike petrol which goes bad after a couple of months.
What a great find, not suppose to be, but I am jealous.
Great, thanks for sharing! Was looking for one of these before I got my 5speed TDI Beetle. VW diesels are wonderful, luv ‘em!
Wow they sure did Datsun that one.
Good James Hetfield impression
They are in such good condition omg
Super sweet find
Got to love a VW GOLF..lol, yes I know, you call them RABBITS...Them early series engines powered others In the VW group going up to 1900 CC both turbo and not turbo versions, my sons VW camper had the slow 1600 non turbo VW diesel taken out and replaced with a strait bolt in AUDI 1900 diesel non turbo engine and its so reliable but pushes the high top camper along better..(IAN) - UK
These are not bad I like the 60s think it was vw truck. The bus with the back cut off great truck like them alot want one so bad
Beautiful
Man I never have that kinda luck
i want that red one its beutifull
@Volkswear these are highly reliable engines bullet proof
did you have these up for sale in eastern Idaho?? wish I could buy one of those toppers off you!
WILL Marchand Sold the toppers with the trucks. JC.
Glad you saved these two bad boys! How much did you part with them for?
The Maroon one sold for $3500 and the tan truck sold for $3000. JC.
@@Volkswear I can't believe how much cool stuff you come across out in your neck of the woods. Caddys like these are as rare as hen's teeth here in upstate NY. And those are very fair prices...I would have totally bought one of these from you!
Chris Freemesser I'll keep an eye out for another one.
You got an absolute Steal on those i would have paid top dollar for one of them.
sweet finds
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. JC.
Do you still have any of them ?
I’m in Seattle how far you are?
Where are you located?
We are in Eastern Idaho. JC.
I own 21 of them
There were ZERO trucks were sold with a turbo.
Ya these must of had the turbo swaps done at some point. JC.
I think they had a turbo diesel version sold only in canada
Is the truck still for sale?
Sorry but I sold both of them. JC.
bet you sold it huh ?
TURBO?