My TDI-Swapped MK1 Caddy is FINISHED...

After having my 1980 VW Rabbit pickup (Caddy) for over a year, it's finally drivable with the TDI swap out of my wrecked 2004 Jetta.
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TOOLS USED IN THIS VIDEO:
Convert-a-Creeper: amzn.to/3XL1eRj
Handy Milwaukee Light: amzn.to/3RjWnEj
Handheld Vacuum Pump: amzn.to/3HFZB1J
1/4" impact driver: amzn.to/3IEXLg3
Triple Square Set: amzn.to/3oEWg9H
A socket set for the car: amzn.to/3DJAtSF
Hex Sockets: amzn.to/31TG7Ej
Easy Outs: amzn.to/3EKwRBb
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[@mrtomatohead7202]

That intro was the best Rabbit drive-by I have ever seen, hands down. 10/10 dude. Your videos rival those of content creators with millions of subscribers. You will get there someday.

[@wyattdickey8358]

Fr I love his channel

[@yamkaw346]

Definitely one of those under rated channels that is gonna explode in popularity at some point

[@JamesCooperider]

Hahaha thanks so much man! I’m doing what I can to constantly improve production speed and quality, so it’s nice that ya’ll notice. I’d love nothing more than for this to be a full time gig 🍻

[@oliverjantz1108]

Vw enthusiast new subscriber here !!!

[@theskateboardt619]

Man, you definitely deserve a bigger audience and more subscribers. Your videos are always top quality and you always share a lot of knowledge to someone that is new to Volkswagen or cars and general It’s funny I seen the thumbnail to your video and couldn’t have clicked it any faster. Keep the videos coming dude they are great.

[@JamesCooperider]

Man, that’s so awesome! Thank you for saying that - it’s really nice knowing my effort translates, if that makes sense. 🍻

[@evelcustom9864]

I mean, it's a small TDI. It's not supposed to be fast or exciting. It's just meant to be reliable and fuel efficient. Sure you can get a bit more out of them, but comparing this to a VR6 or even a 2.0T is pointless.

[@shanecook2933]

I think so many gasser guys expect the tdi to have the same feel but it never does.... And that sound. Being an old mk1 diesel guy, I look forward to a TDI swap but they each have their place. Heck maybe I'll settle with a mk3 2.0 since diesel prices are nuts. Love your vids, as always.

[@Hammerjockeyrepair]

Ive got a 350hp impala ss and I still drive my 83 56hp diesel rabbit EVERY single day!! 1500miles per week in the dang uncomfortable rabbit but I cant help but just drive this instead of the couch impala!

[@JamesCooperider]

You’re right, and it’s funny - you’d think I could manage my expectations better after driving quite a few MK4/MK6 TDI’s. I think my preference is definitely gas for a MK1!

[@mitch2849]

Quality content from a quality creator. Feels like we are way early in this career of yours. Kudos

[@JamesCooperider]

Hugely appreciated. Thanks! 🍻

[@benbarnard8280]

Love the caddy pick up, they are very scares in South Africa, wish I can get my hand on one 😊

[@AKn4lf]

ive always wanted a diesel rabbit and theres one for sale near me with an N/a 1.6 i was thinking of getting and doing the 1.9 td swap and use it purely for my daily commute (80 miles round trip over flat desert) and errands around town. For that reason/ purpose would you suggest getting it?

[@NoReverse77]

Caddy’s aren’t rabbits

[@jamesgregory3937]

nooooo! Just get another caddy. Someone would love to by old yellow with a tai swap.

[@w.j.hammer5902]

Ha, I know what is going in there. I won't spoil the surprise but let me just say that I own a vehicle with the same engine and you will not be disappointed.

[@michaelspinello3607]

YOU CREATED A MONSTER !👹 "THE MONSTER RABBIT !!!"

[@caseyblackburn6365]

We’re gonna ignore the fact I’m gonna be late to work because I’ve been sitting here watching this 😂

[@JamesCooperider]

Hahaha I won’t tell.

[@pottasium7117]

ALL my cars were either tdi, or something of diesel besides that (q50, bmw, audi i5 diesel, old tdci fiesta ), and after i bought a type r (2l k20z3 petrol) i'll probably never go back to diesel engines. Well built diesels have that "grunt" but they just lack the zippyness and playfulness of a petrol

[@JamesCooperider]

I get it. I love my diesels and they certainly have a place but in the context of a “playful” MK1? A gas engine makes so much sense.

[@pottasium7117]

@@JamesCooperider i've driven a gen 2 ocatavia's 1.9tdi swap of a lightweight (compared to modern cars) audi 80 what was originally a petrol, and it just felt slower. Yeah it was smoother to start in 1st gear, and it just had that brute force in higher gears, but it just felt as if its lumbering forward steadily rather than having that acceleration which you'd expect for the horsepower/kg ratio it had. All its pepp was until it hit 60hp and then it was basically nothing. Also had an experience of owning an audi a5 with the 3l diesel v6 for half a year period, it sounded great for a diesel, was lot's faster than my current car (fn2 civic) but it was just wrong you know? you'd expect a car with that much power and torq to just handle differently I don't know if its the right way to explain how i feel about diesels, but i think word "muted" would fit pretty well. Modern diesels just drive clinically, and older ones are just simple not good as petrols unless all you're looking for is reliability or low-end torq. That being said, i loved my 2008 last year production model fiesta gen 6 with an underpowered diesel, coincidentally, it was pretty rev-happy for what it was

[@July.4.1776]

ABA swap in my 82 has twice the power of the original diesel and still gets good MPG. With diesel being $1.00 more a gallon the decrease in MPG is hardly noticeable. 👍

[@trixie9867]

you saved that out of a cattle field

[@alanmauries2184]

Take it as another learning experience and a chance to improve upon your new engine swap! I enjoy the cinematography great quality. I suspect you will be swapping this for a 07k or another VR 😊

[@spoon8682]

I definitely enjoy watching on youtube more than tiktok. Excited to see the next swap. Nothing like a vr6. Just rebuilt my 12v vr6 last year!

[@rabbitgti652]

The bew in the pickup has to be a monster.

[@AndreasLarsson95]

That yellow should be a workhorse just like my 1.9tdi passat 2004 wagon. A totalt tank.

[@doughboy1966]

Air bags on the rear would solve the bottoming out. Way cool build. New subscriber also.

[@charlessheetz9402]

HEY YOU COULD HAVE BOUGHT MINE IN BLOOMINGTON iLLINOIS .and it .i RUNS

[@diereitertheli]

I Love your content dude, hooked already

[@unlimitedfactory4297]

Mustard is done, now finish Ketchup ;)

[@jessepriest9532]

So sad I was curious to know why that car never made it to another video R.I.P black TDI BEW😢 hope you can get another mk4 just as nice

[@adventurousairman]

Do you still have the Mercedes-Benz 300D?

[@JamesCooperider]

Yes I do! I’m struggling with what to do with the old girl. It does a lot of sitting these days ☹️

[@hamop3]

How much do you want for the MB?

[@backroadbeetle4781]

CJAA I think would have been a better option, they're substantially more lively

[@antesosic1600]

1.9 TDI, one of the best engines ever produced. There is only a few engines that are MAYBE better than the 1.9 TDI

[@boostaddict_]

Personally I like my ALH swapped MK3 Jetta. Was a factory TDI and I pulled the 1Z for an ALH, put in some .205 injectors and used a K14 from an early AAZ. Needs more power but I like the fuel mileage and the fact that it's not loud even with a straight pipe. This year it's getting wheels, a clutch and a tune, maybe bigger injectors, and that should finish it off. After that it's just bodywork and interior to completely perfect it. It's not fast but it's perfect for me.

[@StrawHatGarage]

Have an ahu swapped 96 Passat wagon. Looking for larger injectors and a tune but love the 40mpg. Great vehicles

[@NoDoubtImPissed]

I know those tumble weeds anywhere. I hate Tricites summer weather. Where's do I find these other caddy at... asking for a friend 😅

[@garryoak5742]

How does this compare to the VR6 swap. Towards cost and time investment

[@JamesCooperider]

The VR swap was WAY cheaper and easier, honestly. No intercooler to mess with, no charge pipe to build, the VR didn’t require any ECU tuning since it came from a MK3 so that saved a lot too

[@garryoak5742]

@@JamesCooperider What was the difference in MPG. I imagine a VR is low twenties and TDI is mid thirties.

[@JamesCooperider]

@@garryoak5742 oh the TDI was better than that, it would do mid-40’s. The VR topped out about 30 on the freeway but the way I drove it was usually low 20’s haha

[@July.4.1776]

@@garryoak5742… My old 1.6 diesel got around 44MPG with 54 HP. My ABA gets anywhere from 32 to 36 MPG with 116 HP. Now it’s actually fun to drive.

[@firstname0126]

Where’s a good place to buy parts for a tdi engine, or a whole tdi engine all together, specifically for a mk2 jetta

[@JamesCooperider]

I usually recommend a complete parts car for a swap. I’ve bought a couple Copart cars just for the engine/trans/wiring, etc. I’d recommend Facebook but prices are always inflated haha

[@firstname0126]

@@JamesCooperider awesome, thank you

[@ST_RayChez]

You hooked me with the viral Caddy video on TikTok and i've been here for the whole ride, including the cross country trip. I cant wait to watch the saga of this truck continue.

[@BruceTheMoose1111]

Check out the OM 606 mercedes diesel engine.

[@lostinbossiercity]

Love your content! Just purchased my first mk1…81 diesel rabbit. Been learning a good bit from you and excited to learn more. I just need to find a $700 beetle for my swap lol

[@EmberOfYourFaith]

VR6 in a mk1? Sure I'll watch you build a rocket ship.

[@monkeymachine62]

I think I need to move countries mk1 love is so much stronger over there

[@adamspencer2623]

Love the opening and your endless enthusiasm. Looking forward to your next adventure!!

[@marcosousa4930]

Do you have any videos showing what we need out of a donor VW tdi in order to swap it into a different vehicle ?

[@thundermite1241]

Id be cool see one of those rabbit trucks get a twin engine setup

[@danielforsythe671]

Wow! The production quality of this video is absolutely amazing! Your storytelling is really engaging - I can't wait to see what's next for this project!

[@trappster48]

Welp I guess it’s time to put a hayabusa engine in it but I’d do a mpg test first

[@66slammed]

Another great one! The last swap was done so clean. Excited to see whats next for it.

[@aiden900]

I wish you were in IL. I need help on my Vr6 wagon

[@taalfthorpe7498]

Man I wish you had done an extensive build series on this swap. Did you use the original caddy cluster? Your story about your jetta and the beetle is wild because I got tboned in my 2006 beetle. I just purchased a 85 golf diesel and will be swapping the motor and trans into the golf. Integrating the original golf cluster is a huge puzzle for me at the moment. Would truly appreciate any info you could share on that process.

[@JamesCooperider]

I did keep the original cluster! It’s super easy to integrate the modern harness with the old cluster, especially if the harness is done by TDCshop or S&P. Basically you just tie the temp, tach (if your OG cluster has one), oil pressure & GP light into the original harness. The old gauges read based on resistance to ground so there’s just one wire that controls them. I just tapped into the body harness that feeds the cluster - easy if you have a Bentley shop manual with diagrams!

[@dannbeatz8374]

Aqui no Brasil temos o vw Saveiro

[@dennisbyerly-580]

Feel the same way after selling my 1.8t and getting into a BEW, my bew just doesn’t do it for me

[@JamesCooperider]

Good to know it isn’t just me.

[@wtfobiden]

Love my alh manual tdi

[@johnmeier270]

Loved the youtube thank you !

[@jollyrogersilversparrow8418]

gas miles bet there great

[@BrandonsBus]

Amazing cinematic storytelling, I can't wait to watch your channel blow up.

[@mattjohnson4862]

Nice old car

[@yorkshireman7025]

Big turbo needed

[@bvward]

VR5 swap? There are a few available in the Northeast...👍

[@JamesCooperider]

Maybe, possibly. I’ve been kickin-around my 5-cyl options! Haha

[@vr6g608]

I’ll buy it lol

[@StageShout]

love the video! I've Got a 1980 VW Rabbit Truck Diesel ....she's only got 63,000 original miles on her and she's in Factory showroom condition. White with Red interior. I don't think there's ever been a sock laid in the bed of that truck. Thanks for the video!

[@mxamumt]

I would love to know what turbo and tune you are using for your BEW. I'm working on the exact same swap and worried I wont enjoy it... Did it need a LSD for the mk4 trans? Wheelspin?

[@JamesCooperider]

It had a Garrett VNT-17 and a stage 1 Malone tune with all of the swap deletes. It ran pretty well but an LSD definitely wasn’t necessary haha

[@mxamumt]

@@JamesCooperider By Malone's numbers that's 124whp and 227ftlbs. Do you think the extra 30-40hp for stage 4 (157whp, 269ftlbs) would have made a difference? Did other factors come into play?

[@leavenothingstock]

I have a MK1 Rabbit, I love it but have always wanted a caddy... I am 6'3 and everyone says I wouldnt fit in a caddy... would you agree that a taller person couldnt fit?

[@JamesCooperider]

I’ll put it to you this way; I’m 5’9 and bordering “uncomfortable” in a pickup haha

[@July.4.1776]

I am 6 foot, and it’s a tight fit. I was a lot slimmer 20 some years ago when I bought the rabbit pickup. They are a blast to drive when you get a few more HP in them.

[@timmy622]

I'm about to do the same swap into my '84 2-door rabbit. Currently with the 1.6 Diesel and 4-speed manual.

[@gorillagoldhunters]

New subscriber

[@MrMoistington]

so happy i found your tiktok, was really hoping you had a KZbin and the production quality & overall content is perfect. Thank you for sharing your projects and making the videos so darn enjoyable!!

[@jeremywilcox660]

So that mk1 swap motor kit going to be for sale?? I have 81 Caddy chassis just waiting for that.

[@torbjorn1982]

Amazing videos👌👌 VR6 would be great in the pickup.

[@Superduty_59]

Maybe a CJAA 2.0L swap would be more power and more of the feel you're looking for? That BEW sure looks good in there though!

[@JayFochs1337]

Another lovely video! Though makes me feel bad as I'm having really weird car troubles with my Saturn and it's all I got so seein success (even a bit) of keeping old cars running like this is bittersweet lol. My trans is failing and I can't afford a replacement or the room/time to do one. More concerningly something seems VERY wrong with the electrical system recently..

[@captin0dvios23]

Funny how I had the almost opposite experience. Hat the vr6 in my pickup and love the 1.8t in my rabbit 😂

[@yodasbff3395]

Great video. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do next. Personally, I would put the PD in the mail van. 👍

[@Hammerjockeyrepair]

cmon bruh, I drive my 83 n/a 2.6d rabbit EVERY DAY while Ive got a 350hp impala ss, multiple trucks to drive and I find myself driving that slow 56hp smoky rabbit EVERYWHERE 1500 miles per week. I could take the couch corvette(impala) for my 4 hour round trip ride but I take the shaky bumpy rattly rabbit thats slower than dirt and I dont know why but its so much friggin fun passing the same cars 20 times on the highway as I blast past them at 90mph down the hills and they pass me going back up the next!

[@JamesCooperider]

Well hang on a second - I love the chassis and although it may not seem like it, I really appreciate a good stock rabbit whether it’s a 1.5/1.6D or even a 1.7 gasser. The only thing that bummed me out here was the engine swap, mostly the “gain” for the money. I owned an ‘80 4-door rabbit (1.5D/5-spd) last summer and it was an absolute peach haha

[@AndreasLarsson95]

I almost broke my finger taping this video...

[@REBER722]

Hello, what wheels are on your truck in this video? Thank you!!

[@JamesCooperider]

Hey there, it has the stock 13” steel wheels and original rabbit caps!

[@REBER722]

@@JamesCooperider is there any chance that you know where I can find the steelies? I've been able to find some caps but no wheels....thank you again!!

[@genem7234]

Love the Story, love the truck can't wait to see more! I am dying to find a good Caddy to call my own!

[@palyer4]

Quality!! The amount of clips from the past thrown in also so well done.

[@captin0dvios23]

Btw I think u should make that drive by ur into.

[@drewwest8424]

Once again, another great video!! Well done James!! 🔥

[@terryraymond7984]

I see that Red pickup looks to be in decent shape is that for sale

[@gorillagoldhunters]

Absolutely awesome! Great job man

[@benoitsamson313]

wow! awesome video, favourite caddy ever.

[@brickspike4453]

1.8awp swap time hahah would be wild

[@jeepfreak2121]

Another great video buddy… Keep up the content and the views will eventually follow… I remember watching vicegrip garage when it was a small growing channel.. you have the same enthusiasm for your content dude just keep the vid coming…👍👍👍

[@JamesCooperider]

What a compliment, thanks man! 🍻 I’m doing my very best to hold myself to a video per week!

[@joshuastauffer8434]

I love the sound of my BEW!

[@ikeike279]

Hell yeah man good job 👏 👌 👍

[@matthewknudsen1373]

Dude, I'm loving these. You're growing a ton as a presenter. So good. 💪💪

[@JamesCooperider]

Mannnnnnn thank you so much! The almost-daily practice I get has helped a ton with my presenting. Of all people, you know how hard it is to come across “naturally” on camera - not because you’re a bad presenter*** you just know what it’s like. Thanks dude! 🍻

[@DdoubleEE726]

Another great video!

[@Azumazon]

Mad man.... but you do you.

[@Evxlfx]

Great videos man(quality and personality). Need to see more , nobody around me does this stuff and this shit is my favorite stuff to do.

[@JamesCooperider]

Hey thanks so much! I’ve been working pretty hard recently and have a couple videos in the queue - the next couple weeks should have regular uploads! 🫡

[@mattertl846]

Did you use the stock charge pipes and intercooler from the beetle or jetta for this swap?

[@JamesCooperider]

I didn’t - I bought a cheap-o Amazon ‘universal’ kit and TIG’d it all together 🤣

[@natekrantz7083]

A turbo 07k might be a cool option for a replacement swap in the caddy

[@liambailey9159]

love these videos

[@Anonihmus2567]

W8 swap?

[@347rmatt]

Video was amazing as always keep up the good work!

[@JamesCooperider]

Thank you, thank you! 🤘🏻

[@vwtazman]

Great video. I'm sending my grumman to colorado for a vr6 swap.

[@JamesCooperider]

Nice! Which VR?

[@vwtazman]

@@JamesCooperider 12V AAA

[@killingtheworld17]

Nice! Solid editing man, and solid video. Convinced me not to ALH swap my Pickup and just do other expensive things….

[@nutsack]

maybe swap in an aba?

[@July.4.1776]

Love my ABA in the rabbit pickup. 116HP and 32 to 36MPG. 👍