Shop Truck Drive! ALH TDI Swapped 1982 VW Rabbit Pickup

Today features my daily driver and the Long Automotive shop truck, a 1982 Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup. This truck has been engine swapped to a 2003 ALH engine, stage 4 Malone tune, 1019 injectors, stage 3 clutch, hydraulic slave cylinder, external fuel pump, front mount intercooler, and an aluminum radiator. It makes about 21 psi of boost.
Swap components used: s-pautomotive.com/
Visit our IG page: / longautomotive

[@July.4.1776]

One time I got pulled over by the police with the old 1.6 they said I was doing seventy with it. I told him if you can make it go 70 I’ll take the ticket and give you $100 🤣🤣🤣

[@hawkeye454]

My first car, around 2003, was an 81 Rabbit diesel hatchback. 52 angry horsepower....I loved that car and deeply regret selling it.

[@guyforlogos]

I have an 81, put a 1.6td (it was a stock 85 Jetta engine) and with that extra 18-20 hp, it actually drives quite well in modern traffic, does highway speeds easily and will go over 90 if needed which surprised me because I wasn’t expecting that at all.

[@bribri2694]

I had a black 83 Diesel truck. It was so slow but came in handy. My Dad had red one that had a camel color interior with a gas engine he drove for almost 20 years. Both were in NC also.

[@gregcrabb3497]

I rebuilt an 80 rabbit sedan just for the experience of it and that's where my love of diesels began. Currently driving an 01 TDI Beetle with 335,000 miles in the clock all put on by me. Most reliable car I've ever owned and still starts even in 0F winter. Latest mpg was 51.4 if I behave. I'd love to find a truck like that just for fun.

[@longautomotive]

This is the same drivetrain as your beetle! Currently 47mph but tuned up a bit of course

[@TheRamGuy]

I had a 1984 VW Rabbit diesel as my first car. When you talked about these being slow you wasn't kidding. I maxed mine out once at around 75mph.

[@longautomotive]

Hahaha downhill with a tail wind?

[@TheRamGuy]

@longautomotive that was exactly the situation

[@supercharged3392]

Similar experience... my brother had a 1981 Rabbit 1.6L when we were young and the fastest we ever got it was 86MPH going downhill on a freeway with a heavy tailwind !!

[@JohnnyBallou]

I always liked the 60 mpg of my Diesel ⛽️ Rabbit! 5 speed! Traded for it new in Waco for my VW kombi van pickup!

[@garybrown4671]

I learned to drive stick in a green one of these. Was a brand new 1982.

[@mikebel74]

I like the original grille. I had one back in the day. A 1983 model, with the 1.6L engine putting out a stomping 52 HP. I put yellow fog lights under the bumper. Worked really well in the fog and mist. That car went 318,000 miles. The engine was never overhauled. The body, on the other hand, rusted out pretty bad. I had a 2x4 supporting the driver’s seat. Before I went the Fred Flintstone route, I bought a 1997 TDI. Nice job you’ve done.

[@longautomotive]

Thank you!

[@davidcrowell6026]

I like it! Keep em alive. My high school car was a 1981 Caddy diesel. It was a lemon. Clutches and head gaskets. Rust in the bed led to lots of water in the cab. I still liked it. Next was a 1986 GTI that ended up fast an got me in trouble. That was early 90s. A 1975 scirocco also.

[@longautomotive]

Love to hear about it, this is the most useful vehicle I have hands down

[@DeanofMachines]

This is the coolest little daily driver

[@anderslunde4142]

Hella fog light grille all day everyday. Those old Golfs/Rabbits really looks the mutts nuts with that grill on it! Keep up the good work and videos!

[@jaredappleseed7037]

I'd keep the egg crate grille, she's a sweet truck, well done

[@longautomotive]

Thank you!

[@gerikoberster9594]

I’m doing the same thing soon with my 81 (lots of patina, 0 rust, 94k miles, broken timing belt)

[@longautomotive]

Sounds like a perfect build platform!

[@jerryross821]

I was an OG tuner fan back in the day (early 80’s) cutting my teeth on my alternative to a VW Rabbit, the superkool ‘78 Audi FOX which I bought as my first car in 1983. I modded it and of course LOVED the GTI and pickups. I remember when the HELLA grill was a new release to the USA. I had a fantastic German tuning company local to me in Orange County, CA called ABT MOTORSPORT who brought in Hella, Koni, Bilstein stuff as well as their own engine parts and such. Teenage euro tuner heaven. GO HELLA! & put the Bosch lights under the grill. Actually the hit set up is pencil beam Hellas in the grill and fog/cornering lights under the bumper… SEXY

[@steinworksfabrications2770]

I have one of these trucks and an ALH that needs a rebuild that plan on installing at some point... looks fun.

[@curvs4me]

Hella grill and cut two big ovals in bumper for airflow. Remove plastic lower valance inserts and put 1/4 screen painted black for airflow. You've got to figure in that the opening and airflow was designed for a 50hp motor. complete sleeper look is cool but just starting at idle eliminates the sleeper factor. I can't say for sure, but I can take an educated guess from experience. I'd say the air going into to the motor is significantly hotter after 3-4 seconds heavy load.

[@martingomezism]

Mini trucks are where its at

[@opethopeth]

Keep the original front. It looks great as it is, in my opinion.

[@finlay230]

leave the grill thats on it !, great channel, love it !

[@longautomotive]

Thank you!

[@ericmlcoch3434]

Eggcrate, eggs are expensive now, wealth flex.... Solid build man, can't wait to see what comes up on the channel from your fleet!

[@deejay6752]

I like it and would keep the grill original. I tried to get a used VW rabbit for my first car, but my father said no way, and since he was paying I didn't get it. I do like them and wish VW would make a retro rabbit. Similar cars are the Plymouth Horizon and Dodge Omni. I like those too 🐰✌🏻❤💋

[@Splendidhome]

Keep the original grill. Looks way better plus better airflow.

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

There were legitimate 1.6L turbodiesel Rabbit Pickups, but they were only sold in Canada for the years 1983-84.

[@rzmod4766]

geeeze truck is super clean.We have alh swapped ranger and a slammed alh golf.the motors are getting hard to find.

[@volvotwoseries3384]

It takes a lot for me to say No to MORE lights, I’m all about how many forward facing Lumens I can get. BUT I’d avoid blocking the flow to your custom installed intercooler in this situation.

[@walterwheeler6497]

Sweet little hauler. I love the swap. I’d rock it as a daily for sure. Good job and you are doing just fine with the channel IMHO.

[@longautomotive]

Thanks a bunch I super appreciate that

[@brvfd822]

I love it! This is the Volkswagen setup I’ve always wanted!

[@joeddejohn]

Had the 1981 Rabbit Diesel. Loved that car. Cool you went with theTDI.

[@og-iw3ni]

Kyle !!! Awesome video!! Takes me back to when I owned mine back in 85 or so. Keep it as is. Super sleeper. I never thought I'd see another grill like that...had one back in the day. Mine was a stock 1.6 diesel....you're right ..slow AF. Still miss it though. Your front bumper looks a bit off. Keep making videos. They're good because you come across genuine AF 👌🏻. Yes on the merch 👍

[@longautomotive]

Thank you! Yeah I think somebody hooked the bumper with a tow strap in it's many years of living in a garage lot.

[@rover215]

I had and regret selling both my bog standard Caddy's. Your truck is perfect!

[@wesleymeidinger8023]

I got a 1999 tdi jetta with bigger injectors and turbo and wanna do the same thing with the engine, the body is just trashed. and i’ve always loved the mk1 pickup.

[@longautomotive]

ALH is perfect for a work horse

[@justinfletcher3753]

More VW content! Personally, I would run the Hella fog light grille. Period correct mods are always cool!

[@longautomotive]

As soon as I figure out how to get spark back on the rabbit I'll do one with it 😂

[@patrickwong2823]

Just subscribed. I would keep the original grill. I have 2 Rabbit pickups. An '80 that I also put a ALH 1.9L TDI with some S & P parts and also an '81 that I converted to run vegetable oil. Both run good. I run a business full time and I just wish I had more time to drive them. Thinking of selling the '80 if anyone is interested. I live in Brookings, Oregon. Look forward to more videos on your channel!

[@shimotakimas]

Hey Patrick, I might be interested, I live in Santa Cruz, CA. How can I reach you?

[@jacobkirkpatrick1791]

Definitely the Hella fog light grille. Sweet caddy!

[@July.4.1776]

My 1.6 diesel was swamped for a 2.0 ABA with the mileage it gets and the dollar a gallon difference in price from gas to diesel cost is still the same per mile to drive it. The ABA is reliable as can be and only had 1,000 miles on it. I do have to stop more often for fuel as the small fuel tank does not take you to far. Leave the original grill and install the fog lights. My 1982 came from a dealer near Statesville NC. I have the owners manual as well. 🤔

[@longautomotive]

The aba is a significant power increase over the 1.6d as well 😅

[@zhorrasolzhenytsin3835]

ORIGINAL Grill

[@geoffreyadams6236]

Woot! Looks sick.

[@teknykill]

I had MK1 2 door Jetta . Lowering kit and exhaust . Great car miss Manual trans. Great vids and cars.

[@longautomotive]

Thank you!

[@biteme1966]

My family had a 84 fargo blue cub truck. It would do 0-60 in about ten minutes. The speed limit at the time was 55. I had fun driving it a bunch when I was freshly 16. One time I drove to an Oingo Boingo concert with friend in the back. Got great mpg but was notorious for overheating and being slow as hell. I would love to have a tdi swapped cub like yours.

[@DeanofMachines]

Grille choice is tough. I'd probably go with the original grille then big round fogs on the bumper.

[@Superduty_59]

Love those VW Caddys! I have 6 TDIs. In Ohio it's hard to find a Caddy that's not rusted in the strut area. I want to do a MK5 Smyth ute conversion TDI. I have 3 MK5 BRM TDIs and would like to find another rust free one to do the ute conversion.

[@sunoclockoneday2576]

The Hella is cool but I hope you kept the grill on it . The Ronals are the best for that truck .... and the ALH is the best thing in the world for that truck . That truck is the bomb

[@mattalki]

Trucks were made from 80-83 and the 1.6L made 52hp and 71 ft-lbs. Late westy's were from 81-84 (83 for the truck). I've actually got a Rabbit that was purchased new by my parents in 1981. It's currently undergoing some surgery, but it'll be back on the road soon. Nice truck, and I dig the swap. I'm going to stick with the 1.6L - I just rebuilt the pump and injectors. Back in the day, it would cruise at 65-70 without too much difficulty, but you had to be at sea level!

[@longautomotive]

Yeah I had originally wanted to keep the 1.6 but I couldn't stomach the injection rebuild cost. So naturally I spent much much more swapping it.

[@ericnolff8496]

😂 how much can you boost that 1.6? Gotta at least hit 75mph to keep up on texas roads

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

The 1.5L used in the 1980 models produced 48 hp.

[@mattalki]

@@ClassicTVMan1981X True!

[@volvobrynk]

I would install Hella fog light grill, walth the Bosch lights under the bumper and put Them om as running lights. Meaning that when your alternator kicks in, the Bosch lamps comes on and park light and Rear marker lights. That was the hot setup in Scandinavia Way back when .

[@jayinmi3706]

Back in the early 2000's I worked at Parts Place in Pontiac, MI and we had a bunch of customers who had these and diesel Rabbits converted to run on waste vegetable oil. It always smelled like french fries right before they came into the store, lol. With the cost of diesel going up over the last few years, I've found that whole conversion pretty interesting...I probably didn't appreciate it back then. Also, my aircooled '70 Bug got to 90 on the freeway...was actually faster than my '89 S10, that had a top speed of 85, downhill with a tail wind. The bug could also pull on just about anyone in 1st gear. haha

[@July.4.1776]

Parts place is still in business just in a different location maybe 15 miles from that original .

[@jayinmi3706]

@@July.4.1776 Do they still think all their parts are made of gold? lol. Jack passed away years ago and I think his daughter took over. I think they still have the original building as well, since the sign is up and there are sometimes cars/parts visible from I75.

[@3wheelie]

Keep it original. You need the narrow air intake for the intercooler on hot summerdays. But a new painting perhaps? Raptor paint?

[@longautomotive]

I've thought about buffing the thing out as well but I'm worried about how thin the paint is. Honestly I'm really happy to leave it outside and ignore it 😂

[@3wheelie]

@@longautomotive , check out the raptor paint, you can do it with rattlecans and then leave it as it is.

[@bradyfain6831]

I’ve always wanted one but there either rusted out or super expensive but I do live in Michigan. But I love my 99 alh tdi

[@2grippy2]

Keep it OG. The Hella grill belongs on a touring or rally-ish build. Also, you'd be blocking even more air flow to your cooling pack.

[@N4GUZZ]

I'm thinking to get a cargo vans, and I've thought to buy sprinter and alh swapp it. Get 250 to 300hp to be able to haul. But we this gas prices i would save a lot on Cruse speed with a 1.9cc.

[@hansstoltzfus8612]

Do you want to sell it? LOL absolutely love it man

[@longautomotive]

😂 thanks!

[@johnmeier270]

Hi love your youtube .... I'd suggest sand blasting rear bumper and coating it with bedliner coating same for front bumper

[@longautomotive]

Thank you! I’m contemplating the bumpers myself, all options are on the table.

[@ericnolff8496]

Hey man! Love your build ❤ had me reminiscing about the 1978 300d i picked up for 3300 as a teenager back when i lived in Charlotte 😢 currently planning on putting an 04 2.0 bhw out of a passat a 2x4 98 tacoma and mating the a43d auto in there. Any tips/tricks would be appreciated: the donor vw intercooler might be compromised so we're going with a slightly thicker OEM out of a 2000 bug. You think the stock tdi alternator will work with the v8 Toyota starter the online adapter plate option calls for will work or do you think its designed to run with the original 2.4 alt? Motor internals are likely shot but no problems with electrical reported by previous tacoma owner

[@longautomotive]

Oh dude I have no idea, it all just fits in one of these things

[@wolfMAN-ks8nl]

Go with the GLI grill!

[@g.o.b.2558]

Yes on the fog light grill and maybe a snow performance water meth kit and call it good.

[@FoolishPursuitForce]

Original grille looks great!!! As fot the GTI, the European round with fogs front end would be choice. Where did you get the 917 style knob from?

[@longautomotive]

The company is called nostalgic grains. Pelican sells them too but I wanted a gloss finish

[@kevinniemeyer3365]

Badass

[@longautomotive]

Thank you!

[@russelldenton8753]

@Long Automotive did you follow any particular guide for doing the swap? I haven't been able to find very much on the 'how to' aspect of the swap.

[@longautomotive]

The majority of what I used s&p performance has as tutorials on KZbin. Just that, various forum searches, and the Bentley wiring diagram got it done

[@Stormcloakvictory]

Thanks for not lowering this one, I love a bit lowered cars (practical track day lowered, not street slammed) But these caddy's are workhorses and it kinda saddens me. when people slam a golf/Jetta, they still retain their intended use of family transmuter, specially if it's on air. But these caddy/rabbit pick-ups and other mini trucks lose their usefulness of small work truck when slammed.

[@longautomotive]

I built it to work! All my other stuff is lowered lol.

[@138bry]

Awesome truck. I might have missed you talk about it but how does it do on the highway with the swap? I’m eyeing a stock 1981 that’s been restored for 6k.

[@longautomotive]

Swapped you can easily do 90 if you really really want to. The limit is how comfortable you get with a mk1 at those speeds.

[@dsmmonster]

Very nice truck.!! What tune do you have?

[@longautomotive]

It's a Malone stage 4 tune

[@stewartkuhnke5872]

Hella Grill

[@Mysticle31]

Hey Kyle. It's a Malone Stage 4 VNT17? Ever taken it to the Dyno or Track? Have you done 0-60 or 1/2 or 1/4 mile? Is it fun and accelerate well? I'm building one too and and after I heard James Cooperrider disappointed with his BEW I've been having second thoughts...

[@longautomotive]

Hey! Yes it's the specs you listed. Never dynod or tracked. It is fun and pulls like hell through third, when I get into fourth and fifth it's fine. Not slow by any means, but it's not lightning either. With the tires that are on it you can't floor it ever in first or second. I really want a 11mm pump for it and a re tune but it's not a priority. Overall I'm satisfied, it gets 47 mpg

[@luislimon8699]

How much did the swap cost you? I just got my hands on one and I need to take care of rust/replace some panels first but it be a cool swap

[@longautomotive]

It's not cheap. I bought most of my stuff from S&P performance, just start adding up parts

[@robinlaker]

How are you getting on with this set up a year or so down the line? Any idea on what mpg you’re getting with the stage 4 tune? I’m going to be doing a 1Z tdi swap into a mk1 Caddy but using the ALH management and vnt etc. It’s a workshop truck so I’m after some real-world views on this kind of thing. Stock 90hp is a bit gutless. I drive a 110hp pd daily and that’s pretty dull too. I’ve heard that some people are disappointed with the more conservative tunes…

[@longautomotive]

Looking at right at 47mpg. Honestly the only thing I don't love are the tires, but I love the wheels so idk what to do about that yet. It could really stand a larger tire for the interstate to lower the engine speed. It could also really do with more grip. In the dry it will spin in first and second, and in the wet it spins in fourth LOL. I flatly refuse to lower it, so I may do nothing, time will tell. Otherwise though, yeah it's great. I work from home but try to drive it every day for errands and stuff.

[@robinlaker]

@@longautomotive thanks so much! That’s decent mpg! Maybe a LSD would be the answer, not a cheap option though. Have you looked at swapping out 5th gear to get lower rpm? Depending on what gearbox code you’re using with the engine and the diff ratio etc, it can make a big difference. I believe my 02a gearbox has a 3.1 final drive so fifth gear at 70mph should be 2300 rpm.

[@iamtpain97]

How difficult was the swap? I've always wanted a rabbit pick up with the ALH or BEW.

[@longautomotive]

The hardest part was the wiring. I bought mounts and all, the engine drops right in.

[@firstname0126]

On your golf in the background, what are the wheel specs and all the stuff you did to it? I just got a Jetta and I wanna know what you did for it

[@longautomotive]

Hey no problem. The wheels are 15x7 et28, ronal turbos. The suspension is a h&r cup kit, but I put a riser in the front. I'm not really that happy with them, I'd like to go to kw stuff later. The engine is a scirocco 1.8l 16v with a header and Yamaha r1 motorcycle carbs on it, stock 16v ignition system. Techtonics tuning exhaust, 16v GTI transmission.

[@firstname0126]

@@longautomotive thanks so much

[@JeezusChrist]

How much different is an older ALH engine from lets say 1993 vs the 2003 ALH?

[@longautomotive]

You've got years mixed up. 1993 is AAZ engine code I think? I don't know a ton about those.

[@TanglefootCottage]

you do any mTDI tuning? I'm currently mTDI (ALH) swapping my 1981 DeLorean...could use someone more familiar to go through it at the end...

[@longautomotive]

This is the raddest thing I've read in a while. Man I wish I could help. I got Sal at S&P automotive to do my tune. Idk where you are but I'd love to take a look at the car, and I can help with any wiring or general ALH questions. The truck is a 2003 ALH. Instagram is probably the next easiest place to find the channel, message, etc as well as messenger.

[@TanglefootCottage]

@@longautomotive I'll follow you there today...I'll be in touch!

[@brettbanta2100]

Are you ever gonna put the A/C back in ? I live in south Texas, ee cant live without car A/C

[@longautomotive]

Maybe? Others have put it in with an alh swap, but I'd have to change my intercooler setup to fit a condenser

[@brettbanta2100]

@@longautomotive ah, gotcha. Cool vehicle though

[@johnmoser2689]

Don't use the automatic pump it's not better just smokes more... manual pumps are perfect for the job

[@DUDENOHELP]

how easy is it to swap the tdi's in these? thanks

[@longautomotive]

The wiring is the most difficult part. S&P automotive sells all of the swap components, and with his parts it’s very straightforward

[@unlimitedfactory4297]

Oh this needs a paint buff so bad

[@Apekop1230]

My mk1 tdi 1z vibrates like a mf while being stationary. Do you have the same problem? New motor mounts, new poulies belt, new pump, new diesel injectors.

[@longautomotive]

Nope, no such issues. I'm on stock rubber diesel mounts and can't complain

[@Apekop1230]

@@longautomotive thnx for the reaction. I am on stock "new" mounts to.

[@davekeehn8388]

Sneaky stock is a rare thing. Rat rods advertise performance too much. What transmission is in it and how is it mounted?

[@longautomotive]

Stock trans that came with the ALH. It runs a 16v scirocco axle set and the mounts came from a&p performance

[@davekeehn8388]

@@longautomotive How did you fit the dog bone on the truck?

[@longautomotive]

Dog bone? I'm not familiar with that term

[@davekeehn8388]

@@longautomotive on Mk4 and up the transmission has an anti sway/torsion mount underneath from the transmission to the car. You must have an earlier transmission

[@longautomotive]

Yeah this just uses a bracket similar to the mk1 style, and uses a mk1 mount kit in all positions

[@user-im6fy4qp6m]

is 5k a good price for an '81?

[@longautomotive]

For 5k I'd say it should be able to run and not be completely rotten

[@jord9308]

Fogs for sure

[@guyforlogos]

Stock grill.

[@arturosandoval9843]

You trying to sell it? I’ve been wanting to buy a clean swapped rabbit for a long time now

[@longautomotive]

Haha no way, then I'd have to get a real daily!

[@terrym641]

hella fog

[@Bustah2016]

Not stock. Going to keep this respectful but completely stock otherwise. This is a 0-60 in just over 12 min normal car/truck. The worst thing I drove the car and the truck growing up. But I have respect for them vs cars today.

[@longautomotive]

Hahaha yeah they're dogs with the factory engine

[@classwork1133]

Keep original grill

[@shkurrump]

It's rare for a reason. Not pretty.

[@longautomotive]

Doesn't need to be 🤌