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

[@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

[@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!

[@elmarruben]

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

[@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

[@michaelb4234]

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

[@BudgetBuildz]

Michael B Haha thanks!

[@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 😛

[@StewsChannel]

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

[@domen6323]

fuel line is rubbing on alternator fan... nice job tho

[@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

[@Infidel1967]

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

[@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!

[@darrylbusch3058]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@5150mxVW]

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

[@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.

[@raymondjohnson1995]

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

[@nicostenfors5690]

Ah square lights. We want the square ones in EU and in the USA you want the round ones haha

[@العقدالفريد-و1ط]

مافيه كلام عربي ياصديق كله انقلش أنا مافيه معلوم

[@deathhimself1196]

I was confused why he didn’t check for spark, but then remembered it’s a diesel 😂

[@BudgetBuildz]

Prø Driftmøb 😅😅

[@NotSoCrazyNinja]

Gotta love them. Rather simple engines overall.

[@steelchain384]

These engines are great i got 2 audis with the same engines they ran over 500000 kilometers if you keep this one before fill up your tank(full) take 0.2 liters of 2 stroke oil and it will run forever (the pump and injectors get better lubricated)

[@dinosaurhunter4160]

Please don't paint it! the OG graphics are awesome! Looks like a Westy too (Built in the Westmoreland, PA plant. Big thing for VW h20 vw fans)

[@BudgetBuildz]

Yessir early westy! It’s staying the color it is!

[@arranashworth1366]

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

[@dieselbenzrevive6820]

i think it has at least 155K on it. there is only 5 digits these trucks where used allot !! im restoring a 1975 300D it has 63K on the clock but the records indicate it has 163k.

[@BudgetBuildz]

Mercedes Benz Revive It was a local parts runner for a heavy equipment business owned by an elderly gentleman. Never went more than 2 or 3 miles at a time. All of the vehicles at the location had next to no miles, including a 70s ford Granada with less than 20k original miles. It had a rough 55k miles and spent a good bit of time sitting outside before being put in the barn but I do believe it’s 52k original miles as does the owners wife. Most of the time I don’t go by the odometer unless documented but I do truly believe this one has those miles. I’ll get more in depth into the rebuild and work on supplying facts behind that.

[@dieselbenzrevive6820]

@@BudgetBuildz awesome ! if it really is that low miles, even if not its a sweet car I had an 81 black with red interior rabbit one of the best cars in the snow ever made !

[@dieselbenzrevive6820]

the reason i said that was because i just acquired a 1975 300D and it read 64K on the clock, And because of the condition of the car i was sure it was true. But after finding a huge stack of reciepts in the car i discovered it was actually 164K. it was extremely well carred for for most of its life so i was fooled. BTW your channel is great keep updating us on the progress.

[@earthbound4now474]

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

[@BudgetBuildz]

😀😀😀

[@danielbargas3377]

500 bucks, with the pump that's pretty much free

[@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!

[@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. :)

[@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.

[@maxmoo3275]

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

[@BudgetBuildz]

maxmoo thanks! Mmm that does sound nice!

[@richardparker294]

See the Gombert VW tag, what part of the Upstate are you in, I live in Spartanburg SC myself.

[@BudgetBuildz]

I’m in Easley SC!

[@bernhardhiebert2597]

You should get a wireless mike so we can hear you better.

[@lionreb]

Can you explain why you emptied the old diesel? I thought it might be different than gas as far as how long it lasts not being used.

[@BudgetBuildz]

The elderly gentleman had Alzheimer’s and had put some gas in it on top of the diesel, otherwise I would’ve just run it 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@greatdaneacdc]

Its a CADDY pickup not a RABBIT!..... had 3 of them!

[@BudgetBuildz]

david c smith In outside markets, yes it’s a Caddy. Here in the US its a rabbit pickup🤷🏼‍♂️ lol

[@ΜανόληςΠερράκης]

I had that truck until last year this engine is a diamond almost 2 million km

[@cammyyybearrr]

I’m pretty sure that’s a caddy in the uk isn’t it?, or maybe they just didn’t have that shape of rabbit over here?

[@BudgetBuildz]

Yes it is 🤙🏻

[@walterrobbins4470]

Pretty straight little pickup

[@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!

[@kens97sto171]

You got a great deal on that caddy. I've seen those in good condition sell for $4-5k. Which is kind of ridiculous but. I had a couple 84 quantum turbo diesels. Definitely like the older Volkswagen diesel powered cars. I had a CV joint fail in one of those went to a local parts store, The part was in a paper box wrapped in oiled paper, an inside the box it said made in West Germany.. West Germany didn't exist as an independent country for quite a while at that point.

[@charlesmoore2485]

What year were your Quantum’s? I had an 84, turbo diesel , dark brown , brown interior with the automatic with the E position on the shifter. Was imported to Canada in the late 80s. We didn’t get Quantum’s here. Miss that car!

[@kens97sto171]

@@charlesmoore2485 I'm pretty sure one was an 84 or the other one I'm not totally sure about. It was funny because the one was a lot more beat up but ran better the other one was a lot lower miles and a lot cleaner and ran a lot worse LOL. Both of mine worse 5 speeds both had AC.

[@DoRC]

Modern atf is not just oil like it was back in the day. It has additives designed not to burn and can leave a bunch of crap in the cylinders. It's not recommended to use modern atf in a diesel fuel system.

[@CrAzYDr1veR]

nice base for tdi swap :)

[@arkkukakku112]

This is actually volkswagen caddy.

[@BudgetBuildz]

arkkukakku112 In outside markets yes it’s a Caddy. Here in the US they’re Rabbit Pickups 🤷🏼‍♂️ lol I had a caddy badge on my last truck I had bought from Europe

[@Fuxi96]

It's a Volkswagen Caddy

[@johnjwedrall4290]

I like VWs any and all model's 😊👍

[@victorrobinson7008]

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

[@davidbenner1658]

if you need any rabbit parts i have alot

[@OsmanGaziPasha]

Das Auto.

[@melissaelliott2966]

There's one for sale not far from me. I want it sooo bad. Im just thinking of my teenage son crying because no ac. Also, I've never driven manual. Buttt .. i can learn and be may have to suck it up cuz it is absolutely dreamy and i can't stop thinking about it

[@gymz4065]

Just sub because I just got one too! Barn find for the same price and it’s a black on black. Very satisfying watch u get it started! Keep it up. Now time to get started on mines

[@sebastianstalla5549]

Somebody here in germany drove over 1.000.000 km with the 1.6 diesel engine in an Vw Golf/rabbit

[@johnfalkenstine8377]

Usually the rings are frozen chronic problem on these diesels

[@BudgetBuildz]

I suppose it depends on climate, Ive never had that issue here in SC and I’ve had a good many.

[@kevin34ct]

I know you are new to taking video, but I'd look into a Bluetooth microphone that you can attach to yourself so we can hear what you are saying.

[@BudgetBuildz]

I went and picked up an external mic and I believe it’s helped, new video will be out today and should sound better!

[@kevin34ct]

@@BudgetBuildz That's great. I just found and subscribed to the channel today. I really love the barn find restorations. You make it better as you are doing these on a budget. Keep up the good work.

[@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.

[@billgardner9328]

My 1980 like this one was a jewel. I gave it to my foreman at 80k. Told him to change the timing belt. At 120k it broke the original belt. Oh well,

[@EarlLeeBird]

@Budget Buildz One thing I would definitely do is take that fuel tank and filler neck out and kill any rust they have and repaint them while they are in good condition - these fuel tanks are no longer available as new parts and it is damn hard to find a fitting alternative. I had a a new one manufactured from aluminum after looking over a year for an oem one and it cost me about 300$.

[@BudgetBuildz]

I’ll definitely pull it! I have a spare if it needs one!

[@gpowerdragon9852]

Take Good Care because These car.s are even rare in Germany

[@svendolsen276]

Yes also in Denmark. Prices is around 30.000 DKK or 5000 USD and upwards.

[@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 👏👍🙂

[@luisantonioadellcoloma5855]

Buen video gringo solo te falta subtítulos en español . un saludo desde Perú

[@CherylCold]

We have a mk2 4x4 syncro country. I want one of these also. I'd keep the us spec additions and stripes.looks so cool.

[@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.

[@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👍

[@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....

[@eurocarman]

Do you know about the timing on the injection pump? Takes some special tools.

[@BudgetBuildz]

eurocarman I set em by ear and have never had an issue 🤷🏼‍♂️ not to say it won’t happen. It’ll lack power one way or the other but when she’s in her sweet spot it’ll pull along just right.

[@eurocarman]

@@BudgetBuildz I get that but since it ran fine. the holder tool is really all you need. Every body sells them this way www.partsplaceinc.com/vw-diesel-timing-tool-kit-17821.html

[@kiapotintia93]

Hello my dear friend, how are you? I am a new subscriber from Iraq to your wonderful channel for the maintenance and repair of old classic cars. But my dear friend, do you have a Passat LSE? If you come across one, please make a video of it to bring back my old memories with it. Greetings to you, your family, your country and your honorable people, may God protect you and take care of you 👌🏻👍🏻👏👏👏👏👏👏💐💐🇮🇶💋😘🌹🌷

[@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!

[@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!

[@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. 😀

[@Merotina1]

I Love that dieselsound! BUT I don´t like the Us Look.. those huge front and rear bumpers.. the square headlights... the dashboard... nonono... i would turn it into the euro / german spec rabbit pickup...

[@AlanG58]

I'd love to get one of these. But up in New England most rusted away and when you do find one they've got that damn stinky teeth rattling old diesel. A nice gas one would be great.

[@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.

[@christianeagleson]

Keep saying “uh” lol it’s your style😂

[@BudgetBuildz]

Christian 😅😅😅 haha thanks!

[@tomrausch7014]

Prior owner of 3 ‘81 Caddies. (2 Diesel & 1 Gasser). Unable to get second diesel running, it had a bad top end. Got a ‘81 diesel Rabbit parts car that did run, but had a bad lower end. Who knew VW made a change in the size of the head bolts mid year of ‘81. Ended up not starting after drilling out for the larger head bolts. Gave up and got the gasser. MS made working on it too hard, that and no skills. Bye bye VW dreams. My wife loved it and hated watching this video....

[@richardlittlepage9069]

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

[@redwood410]

You seem to have fixed this in your later videos, but on close ups look at the lens and not the viewer.(I'm sure you already saw that) I love your projects!! keep up the good work. I look forward to when you have 100k, 1 million subs!! You have a great demeanor that I know will catch on and take off!! There are too many vulgar, trying to be cool channels out there. You are a wholesome rebuild channel. Your style will build subs!!!

[@TickleFingers]

12V VR6 swap.......

[@theresters1]

6:24......SMOKE LIKE A SEIVE?????😋 GO AHEAD AND SAY UH! IT IS YOU, BRO! JUST SUBBING AND I AM LOVING WHAT I SEE! PO' OL' SHADE TREE MECHANIC DOING WHAT HE DOES BEST, LIKE THE REST OF US GOOD OL' BOYS!!

[@alexandruduta8102]

[@junkyardvette613]

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

[@jmautobrokers6568]

My first car was the sedan version of this. Same year and color.

[@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

[@jordancogjurovski6350]

1.9 td swap bro stock 75hp for cheap over 100 hp with slight modifications no ecu just simple diesel as that 1.5d just double the power and better mileage

[@whitelineracing540]

I'm currently looking at a Volkswagen Jetta from around the same year. It has the 1.6L diesel. Any idea on where I can get parts. From Canada

[@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!

[@balee83]

Jó látni,hogy feltámasztottad a caddyt!👍

[@Alex-mi9wq]

I’m sick to my stomach knowing you got this thing for $500 lmao. Where’s the old ladies calling me for rabbits.

[@terryraymond7984]

Will the earlier pickup rear bumpers interchange onto a later 1981 pickup? If theres a deal we could make.

[@xgamerbih]

fun fact: all the Caddies you see in Europe are 100% built in Yugoslavia.

[@mikemusick177]

The fuse for the headlights also controls the fuel pump solenoid switch

[@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!

[@Oldvolkshome]

Hey where did this truck end up going? Does the new owner have an Instagram or anything?

[@rickgaine3476]

Nice job. You screwed the old lady out of the car. It was worth much more than $500 is a collector piece. People like you should be ashamed of yourself.

[@johanbjork1650]

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

[@BudgetBuildz]

Yassss! 😁

[@X-OR_]

Are you going to do a frame up restore?

[@BudgetBuildz]

No, this one is going to be a patina build. Mechanically it will be restored. As far as structural it’s very sound.

[@Ellenslife851]

This would make a sweet sleeper drag truck or restoration factory

[@danzig8985]

How is the availability of parts for these trucks? Ones been sitting down my street for decades and thinking about trying to pick it up.

[@jeremyadams1980]

Story of my life with my kids always asking 50million questions while I am working on my cars. Gotta love'm though. Need to get an external mic for whatever you are using to record with. It will help pic up your voice when your farther away and also buffer some unwanted noise. Keep it up man makes me want to get out and finally start my channel up ha

[@BudgetBuildz]

Jeremy Adams Thanks man! I definitely will, going to try and order one this evening!

[@eurocarman]

Let me give you a different perspective on the kids. Cherish the moments before, you know it they are grown and gone. I'm 67 and my boys (men) are 37 and 40. Seems to me like yesterday I was changing diapers!!

[@wyndewagner1716]

@@eurocarman it seems like yesterday that we were changing this guys diapers, too. Watching him sharing his passion for all things vintage makes us so proud!

[@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!