1980 Volkswagen Rabbit

Pickup Truck

1.6

Manual

17A0901891

Clear

Diesel

I am selling my faithful VW Rabbit Pickup, I have lost track of how many years I have owned it, I bought it sometime in the early to mid 2000’s when gas started getting high. The truck is originally from Idaho I think, I bought it from someone that had it stored for years in Reno Nevada, very straight looking body, still the same to date, but has some rust, never wrecked. The shock towers looked great, the rust was under the looks, I did some work on, them ripped the metal to keep water from settling in them and cause them to continue to rust, I also put some fiberglass for reinforcement on the one in the driver’s side that was worse. Here in California rust kind of comes to a stop, and that it did, I have been driving this truck for years, and has much life left. When I bought the truck the engine was seized, I got it freed and replaced the rings, got it running but not too long, I ended up with an engine from a VW Jetta, 88, 1.6. I also had a refurbished head for the 1.5 engine, and it’s what I have been running on the 1.6 engine without problems. The 1.6 engine is hydraulic, and the 1.5 head that is on it is non-hydraulic, basically hydraulic self-adjusting lifters, lifters have to be adjusted on this truck, unless you change the head. I put close to 3k into this truck, and got all my money back when diesel went over 5 dollars a gallon here in California, I averaged 46 MPG taking it easy back and fourth to work. One thing I have had problems with is a muffler, it does not have one, fell off one day and I never replaced it, I have been running straight pipe for years, that little engine is not too loud, and most on my driving was in country roads except when I would go to town for fuel, never had any problems with cops. The truck needs some work, valve adjustments someday, and new tires for the front in the next year, maybe exhaust repaired, and I think some of the glow plugs need replacing, it does not start as fast as it used to. The truck should run and drive to anywhere in the US without any problem, just slow, it does not cruise at 70-plus easily, and will take some time to reach 70 on flat land, maybe 35 up a hill, I use it only on flat land where I live, and don’t expect to get 46 MPG driving 65-70. The speedometer is off by a few miles, at 52 I’m doing 55 The transmission is original from what I know, it’s a 5 - speed, the truck has less than 150k miles total. I’m pretty sure that the brake booster diaphragm is ripped, I have to apply the brakes hard to stop, I have gotten used to it, does not bother me. I’m sure there is more to this truck that I cannot think of at this time, but your welcome to ask any questions, I do all mechanical work on all my cars. I probably could make more money parting out this truck, but it has plenty of life left for someone that is in no hurry to get somewhere. Simply time to pass this truck on to someone else that wants to save money on fuel. Here is a video I just made about the rust on my truck, shock towers not pretty but they have held up nice, and could be reinforced with fiberglass:http://youtu.be/4sm_3yPrm4Y On Jul-12-12 at 08:51:01 PDT, seller added the following information:I just did a fresh oil change, new air filter, interior cleaning and washed the engine compartment, plus other miscellaneous minor repairs. I also have this truck for sale locally(Hilmar, CA) and with current offers so I might end this listing if it sells in Hilmar.