Barn Find VW Rabbit Golf Pickup Sitting for 25 Years! :Rebuild Part 1

Let’s dig into this Rabbit Pickup that’s been sitting since about 1995! Will it run?! This is the first of a rebuild series on this truck! Sorry for the sound quality I’ll be getting a mic soon! Oh and all the um’s......... Thanks for all the love and support on the channel so far!!!
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[@hassenfakroodeen5833]

That's a sweet looking caddy , that's what they're called here in South Africa.. I'm a big fan of your choice in cars👍

[@arno838]

caddy is the original EU name

[@forrestozbolt1107]

That's what we call them here in the states too.

[@ruthlessgaming7southafrica804]

Caddy looking good ekse just a shame we dont have these rabbit caddy in South Africa and if there is , its going to be very expensive

[@wellingtons.cassiano3002]

In Brazil it’s called Saveiro, which is a sort of a sailing boat. Very popular and shares the top positions of the market in that category with Fiat’s Strada, which was renamed RAM 700 in North America.

[@SuneSalminen]

@@wellingtons.cassiano3002 The Saveiro is built on the Brazilian VW Gol platform. This pickup is derived from the VW Golf MK1 (VW Rabbit in the US) which was never built or sold in Brazil

[@elmarruben]

Those square headlights and grill are wurth a fortune here in europe😎

[@davidcampos268]

Dude your choice of vehicles is right up my alley

[@BudgetBuildz]

David Campos If it’s weird and different that’s all me! 😁

[@789costela]

@@BudgetBuildz NOT complaining to be wierd ! I mean wat The fun to be normal ?

[@BudgetBuildz]

@@789costela Truth!

[@andy1056]

Great job, and pretty clean for its year and model. It’s good to see someone caring about non-muscle cars, too! They’re all interesting in their own way.

[@BudgetBuildz]

Andy 105 Thank you! I love weird and different 😛

[@wtburns01]

Growing up, my dad bought two rabbits '75 and a '78, both diesel. Those cars were amazing. They had killer stereos, they got around in the snow like a snow cat, and they got like 50 miles per gallon in the 1970s. During the energy crunch. Crunch. Other people were sitting in gas lines. We just sailed on by.The trick back then was finding a diesel pump that wasn't 20 mi away at a truck stop on the edge of town!

[@StewsChannel]

What a cool little pickup! I've never seen a VW Rabbit pickup here before, didn't even know they made them.

[@walterrobbins4470]

Pretty straight little pickup

[@raymondjohnson1995]

I had an 82 Rabbit pick up. Black Tie Edition. Diesel 5 sod. Neat truck at the time.

[@bobcooke6346]

This is funny Michael, I’m watching this playlist for the first time, it’s 4th March 2024 and you are now on 263k subscribers, what a long way you channel has come, in my opinion it’s one of the best, if not THE best in this genre, and going from strength too strength 👏👍🙂

[@Infidel1967]

My 1981 diesel rabbit truck sat for 18 years. Didn't even change fuel, had it running in one day.

[@colindavis2322]

My grandpa has one of these and it was sitting for 6 years and I got it running when I was 14. These trucks are so hard to fined and I love them so much.

[@michaelb4234]

What a score! I think I’m more excited about this than the Porsche. Great color. 👍🏻

[@BudgetBuildz]

Michael B Haha thanks!

[@utopian909]

Had an 80s diesel Rabbit. Hands down the perkiest naturally aspirated diesel I ever drove.

[@danielfisch655]

Your daughter is adorable and great job getting her to start. That VW pickup is a beauty.

[@brentspepper2087]

Reminds me of when I was tinkering with something and my girls were helping me.

[@linseyyoung1772]

I had no doubts. Old diesels never die. All it needed was fuel at the injectors and enough amps getting to the starter.

[@johnkennedy5117]

Install the Euro front golf GTI grill and headlights round headlights will look great Volkswagen caddy over here in England👍

[@goclunker]

That American front end and bumpers are just brutal

[@forrestozbolt1107]

Keep the squares! Everyone does the euro front.

[@sneakerfreak2002]

Keep it just the way it is

[@juanmauricioneira7864]

This motor is like a watch ! Sound well ! Nice light truck !

[@frankdenardo8684]

Great to see this Volkswagen trucks being taken out of storage. This truck was built at the Volkswagen assembly plant from 1979 to 1983.

[@geo86able]

I too have a 1981 Caddie Diesel, I took it for a drive down Pacific Coast Highway in "Surf City" and so many positive comments from folks especially the "Surfer Dudes" asking if it was for sale! I also paid $500.00 for mine. I rebuilt the injectors and the VE pump cause it was leaking from the advance piston seal under the pump. A nice truck to own!

[@Philc231]

Probably my favorite episode.

[@darrylbusch3058]

I just pulled an 81 out of a collapsing garage. It's been sitting since 1990.

[@johnjwedrall4290]

I like VWs any and all model's 😊👍

[@samrugh]

I worked@ VW Westmoreland & built your truck! I purchased one of the first trucks we made mit same Lago blue paint..Only made 15000 trucks in 1980 with 5000 diesels which makes this fairly rare....

[@maxmoo3275]

Nice find. What it needs is a mechanically pumped ALH and a limited slip differential.

[@BudgetBuildz]

maxmoo thanks! Mmm that does sound nice!

[@forrestozbolt1107]

500?! I paid 4k for mine but it's in excellent condition. Interior and exterior are near immaculate. Near no rust. Minor weather seal leak and oil leak. The oil leak is to be expected with 250k miles, but runs like a dream. Internals are immaculate as far as I've inspected. My first car was a 1983 golf diesel 1.6, just like my truck and I would hazard a guess the same as yours. Mine is yellow. Your tailgate looks amazing! I'm the second owner. Just like my golf. I got that from my grandparents that bought it new. It had 300k+. Mad jealous! All of my stuff works minus the shift light. Lol!

[@5150mxVW]

Nice ! I had a Rabbit 4 door gas job in high school , good luck with it .

[@arranashworth1366]

Great to see it out! Clear coat that patina’ 👌🏻

[@austendorey2533]

Great to see this. Reminds me of first start on mine 7 years ago. Was a complete newbie to diesels then. Love the funky interior so different to mine.

[@kevinnilsson1334]

Awesome bro, i live in europe and got my hands on a 1976 golf, been sitting since 2005. Just passed inspection yesterday and ready to roll

[@MrKubbler]

I'd love to own this truck.

[@Photostudioww]

Check Facebook in the Chicago area I saw one for sale.

[@ashleyknight4127]

i own one in the uk lol

[@joshuamcpeek4708]

My dad had a 78 rabbit hatchback with this diesel in it. It had a gas motor when he bought it with 250k miles, he put the diesel in it and drove it another 150k miles before junking it

[@solarisdaway3666]

$3k runs like a top! In Eugene or

[@brianjoyce9742]

Great work with a happy child in tow to help you

[@raphaelbroyer7280]

Cool! I'm French and here, this one is loved a lot... I would like to drive this one in Paris... My first car was a 1981 MK1 GTI+ 1.8, 740kg for 220ch... That's fire in it! But yours is different and so fun! Thank U very very much. Coucou de France👍

[@matthewjohnston1400]

Really cool little truck.

[@windsormohler1478]

Finally got my mk1 go in today had been sitting for approximately 20 yrs idled after starting What a surprise

[@dieselmiro7241]

I had one of those engines, let me tell you they don't die! you can't kill it. But if you want to go to an even more powerful and durable one, swap it with the 1.6D or 1.6 GTD .. those are amazing. I'm not sure if you guys have it in America or not. And your kid is so lovely ^^ god bless.

[@BudgetBuildz]

Thank you! I built my last one to make more power naturally aspirated than the turbo 🤷🏼‍♂️ and it did quite well. I’m still unsure of what I plan to do with this one, something fun though!

[@abethebabe539]

I had to do this to a 2030 John Deere and it’s a pain in the but I gotta tell you love this, never seen the channel before!

[@TheReadBaron91]

Just bought a yellow rabbit pickup deisel, gonna follow your channel for sure!

[@mowler8042]

VERY cool will be a fun rebuild...for fun I looked up VW Rabbit truck here in Canada and someone wants $7000 for one that is rough looking.

[@ils360]

Lucky!!! That's a crazy good find!!

[@BudgetBuildz]

Thanks!

[@benreed3223]

I was excited about the Porsche, but I'm 10x more excited to see your progress on this one. Ready to get mine together so we can cruise to some shows together!

[@BudgetBuildz]

Sounds good!

[@stevezwemer1262]

Wow. Lucky find. Looking forward to the rebuild.

[@sccarguy8242]

Lol I have a kid just like that, she is a little older now but still with the “Daddy” at the most difficult time of a repair. Love her to death though, she is my little buddy. Even took her to the Turkey Rod run in Daytona last weekend.

[@BudgetBuildz]

Haha Yeap!

[@robertgardner2816]

Good content. loved seeing the little one ..daddy where this go? daddy..daddy Poke poke. Hahaa

[@diggleboy]

What a nice find! Great little pickup truck and very rare. Congratulations on getting it started. Great all purpose compact pickup truck! Another one in the German family.

[@BudgetBuildz]

Thank you! I love em! This is my third one!

[@midlandmotormofia2001]

Awesome little truck

[@happytimesagain3458]

Great channel. Great score on this pick-up. I have an 85 Golf 2-door diesel 5 speed 83,000 of miles. It can sit for ever and start right up. Started right up in 28 degree weather other day with ease.

[@wilsondavenport6939]

ok, i have been loving the new videos, i was looking to restore a MK2 golf (same frame and powerhouse) to be honest so glad to have stumbled across this video!

[@richardlittlepage9069]

Awesome. I'm trying to purchase a 82 rabbit n this video helps. Thanks

[@MadsWorld34]

my dad had alot of these and the rabbits. he even pulled the engine of one of these and stuck it on a honda Goldwing. I drove on for over a year and got 50 mpg. but I never had the love for them my dad did. and the rear axels made good little trailer too.

[@waynekhumalo7860]

I know I'm late to this channel but damit how excited I got when that vdub started up...

[@chazblackwell5651]

Love this video, I’m using it as a guide for a 81 rabbit pickup I just pulled out of a field. It’s great help for you to go through the steps you took and getting it going!

[@BudgetBuildz]

Glad you enjoyed! I’ll be going thru the timing belt and maintenance on it shortly as well, and will have a video out for that! 🙂

[@ThrottleGrotto]

Yeah! Thanks for working on the caddy!

[@scottmottazsr3030]

That is so cool. I've been asked to get one of these going that's been sitting for at least 15 years. The information in this video is very helpful.

[@feltongailey8987]

About a month ago i purchased this trucks domestic equivalent the Dodge Rampage. I love the weird stuff too! Glad I found your channel. Keep up the great work!

[@BudgetBuildz]

So cool!! Glad to have you! Thank you!

[@shawncastilla]

Can’t wait to watch the rest of this serious! Keep me coming!

[@petarpanic8090]

Nicely done mate, but when you say it has little bit rust or what ever and that ok for this mileage i was like wdf :D here in Serbia golf 1 diesel my grandfather drove on old changing oil during the war, than when he was out of old oil he just put oil from franc frieze, and after the war ofcourse on standard diesel, he died not much after the war, we sold vw Golf 1 here in place near by..Guy is still driving it, it has 470 000 km on it . so 55k miles-70k km thats a brand new engine :D

[@BudgetBuildz]

Haha I know! I shaved the bay on my last one and put a built pump, header and velocity stacks on it...it had 500k plus miles on it 😅 cool story man! Love it!

[@aarongrabowski3775]

I had a 84’ rabbit gti. The nose of it is identical. Car was pretty quick too. Those volkswagon’s were one of the first vehicles to use fuel injection. Most other car manufacturers did’t start that until about 1988-1989.

[@aarongrabowski3775]

Mine was a 1.8 liter gas engine though.

[@TheEfterbliven]

Cool project! Axle flip rear. Lowering kit front. Euro front. Bumper delete. Widened, centerflipped steelies with stretched tyres and you´ll have one cool car.

[@alpha6ix222]

TheEfterbliven found the flat brim hat wearing sheep....

[@dannybarten2438]

Now that is some treasure, man this car is an absolute legend. Thumbs up!

[@chrisnelson6226]

I built that truck at the New Stanton Plant in Pennsylvania haha. Remember when only colors on the assembly line where white, blue and tan.

[@jasonkowitz4598]

Cool little car, can't wait to see it on the road!!!

[@BudgetBuildz]

Thanks!,

[@camieljansen5504]

Don't apologize for buying these old things on the cheap! I love the fact that you're trying to restore these things for next to nothing. I'd do the same if I had a shed!

[@victorrobinson7008]

I wish I can find one just like you did that would be so cool

[@99unclebob]

great video and great job on this pick up VW i had a few co workers who owned drove these who drove them 100 miles a day round trip to work every day and they got over 50 miles to the gallon, that is a Imperial gallon and with the compression release and a block heater here in Manitoba Canada they started in the very cold winters here, enjoy your find they are very reliable and super unique

[@mikechan231]

That VW pickup is sweet!!!!!!!

[@BudgetBuildz]

Thank you!!

[@welshboi1453]

Thoroughly enjoyable! can't remember the last time I saw one of these Golf/Rabbit pick ups, they were not very popular here unlike its saloon and gti counterparts which still are

[@junkyardvette613]

love it. My first car was a 79 rabbit the same powder blue.

[@JonBlondell]

Good job! And you're a lucky man, what a little sweetie!

[@earthbound4now474]

Ah elevator music... nice addition 😃 just stumbled upon your channel today and you've made it with Mustie1 as a favorite 👍

[@BudgetBuildz]

😀😀😀

[@rgs4x]

These are great little pickups.

[@BudgetBuildz]

I love them!

[@elbowievaglover7409]

Awesome, the sound of success!

[@1973f]

That a good score! Awesome truck!

[@Blacklight8001]

I am liking the looks of this series. Keep them coming!

[@the66volks]

Wow! Awesome! I actually had 3 of these at one time a 2 1980’s an one 1981 that video!

[@avenderseadicho9403]

Great job buddy 👍🏻

[@GuyCrawford]

Hey, congrats on another great project! You're 2 for 2 of my dream rebuilds so far :D I can't wait to see your progress.

[@tomrausch7014]

IMO a perfect vehicle. Great front wheel drive for going to work and doing errands no matter the weather.. Definitely not for anything more than light hauling and you better not be a big guy either I’ve owned (3) 1981’s. 1 gasser and 2 from the dark side. Ended up being the wife’s’ car as MS got me. She LOVED the attention she got when people asked her what the heck is that? We would still have the second diesel IF VW hadn’t made a change mid year of the head drilling negating the ‘81 Rabbit parts cars good head. Grrrr!

[@namtech425]

Here we call it a VW Caddy. Awesome cars.

[@vdubskiee5356]

thanks on letting us know how much you got it for! love it

[@thomasuitbreda]

Great truck! Great program you're making! Thanks!!

[@BudgetBuildz]

Thank you!

[@Oyvind88]

Love old VW cars, this is a awsome car and saved, caddy we say here in Norway😁😁🇳🇴🇳🇴 Love the color and patina😁😁

[@BudgetBuildz]

Great! 😊 Thank you!

[@Chudhole]

Nice truck it deserves at least a preservation restore.

[@thomashixson8572]

What a crazy find and that price so cool and rare

[@jasonwheeler8996]

I’d love to own that little truck!

[@joller79]

Nice steady idle after that long, those engines are bulletproof, but you need to take care of that fuel line rubbin on the alternater pulley.

[@BudgetBuildz]

It’s a temporary, just wanted to be sure she lived before getting too in depth! 😃

[@joller79]

Budget Buildz yeah figured that, just anyways, if it snapped and got tangled up with belt or worse foind in with timing belt and jumped a tooth, bend valves and all. 😀

[@nghermit4922]

What a great truck! It’s so hard to find those up here in Maine, they pretty much disappear into a pile of rust. Diesel too, very jealous. :)

[@josephdeluca3338]

Nice little truck, can't wait to see done.

[@BudgetBuildz]

Thank you!

[@garymartin8619]

Great find glad I found this channel

[@BudgetBuildz]

Gary Martin Thanks! Glad to have you!

[@meganpaull6140]

Way to go well done 👍🇦🇺

[@georgedragos9828]

This guy deserve more subs

[@danmackintosh6325]

"It'll smoke like a sieve" lol sorry but I love that & am going to start putting it into my daily vocabulary along with "leaks like a train" :D

[@bradkuether3561]

Back when VWs were made well. I had a gas 78 4 door Bunny, Champagne Edition. I so loved that car.... Drove it for two years in HS, then 5 years in college. Did all my own work where I could, oil, plugs, rotor, timing..... So peppy for the time and low to the ground so great handling. I only sold it because the floor boards were starting to rust out. Bought a VW Fox because I wanted a trunk. Not as fun as the Bunny but more practical. Then I went Japanese as VW started its decline. Have fun with this car truck thingy.

[@travislayson2384]

Man, I didn’t think it was going to fire! Great job!

[@BudgetBuildz]

I didn’t either! Haha

[@Mutato-]

Love the stripes, thinking of doing it to mine.

[@BudgetBuildz]

Thanks! I’ve never seen at set with so much going on

[@johanbjork1650]

The smoke coming out of the exhaust when it finally started up :The smell of Victory.

[@BudgetBuildz]

Yassss! 😁

[@balee83]

Jó látni,hogy feltámasztottad a caddyt!👍

[@craighiebert3384]

Yes...I always loved these pickups! It was my understanding that before a certain year, Rabbits/Sciroccos w/ rectangular headlights were made in America and the ones w/ round headlights were made in Germany.

[@bryanphillips1432]

I have always been a chevy gasboy myself you are the first diesel anything ive been into i do follow bruce wilson. However you have gotten me more into vw diesel more so then my teacher did

[@bryanphillips1432]

Wd arew down

[@Bjyrgen666]

I like the porsche. I LOVE the rabbit pickup/caddy! The blue interior is sick!

[@BudgetBuildz]

😃

[@pedromoreno6442]

Dude keep up the great work!

[@Dog.soldier1950]

I had one of these exact color, diesel. Sweet car