1981 VW Pickup Turbo Diesel Project FS

[CODE4LS1]

Ok, here we go.

I accepted a job offer in Bellevue, Washington so some vehicles have to go in oder to make the move.

Here's what I got:

1981 VW Pickup Diesel

The truck sat for over 8 years until I bought it and decided to restore it.  It has been a SoCal truck all it's life I imagine because there is absolutely no rust anywhere except some very minor surface rust on the passenger side fender.

When I got it home I completely gutted it down to the shell and wiring harness, as it was unmolested and in very good shape.  I had to start from scratch because of all the rotten rubber pieces, down to the rotten brake line hoses from sitting outside for over 8 years.


On to the pics.
Here is what it looked like the day I brought it home:









And here are a few of the teardown pics:









And a few going back together with the upgrades:
Dynamat Installed:







New black carpet:





Completed black dash and carpet:




Interior completed except for the niceer seats it has now:

New door panels w/Dynamat behind them:




Completed interior as of today (still needs different steering wheel):










Here are the exterior pics the way it sits as of today:








Engine Bay Pics:





Here are the details of my build:

To summarize before I get into the long list, EVERYTHING  was replaced with new (not used) parts, and the truck has 3100 miles that I put on it after the restoration.

New complete rubber window/door seal kit for a Caddy from MK1 Autohaus

New windshield

Newer black dash and kneebar out of a '89 Cabriolet

Dynamat installed throughout the cab, including ceiling, bulkhead and behind the door panels

Also reused factory padding on top of the Dynamat

New black carpet

I was planning on painting it white, so while the truck was still a shell,

I painted all the jambs and window sealing channels white so as not to show yellow if they were ever removed

Changed from vented wind wings to non-vented

New black door panels w/tweed inserts

New black sat belts and latches

Cabriolet arm rests

MK1 Jetta Wolfsberg seats (black w/gray inserts)
Black MK1 Jetta speaker housings/map pockets (not installed but will go w/the truck)

Correct diesel instrument cluster for dash w/o tach
99% of all lighting was changed to LED in the interior and exterior, except for the light for the heater/AC controls

Completely disassembled both doors and rebuilt them using correct regulators and hardware

Completely rebuilt AC/heater box under dash, replaced heater core and evaporator coil and used newer vacuum servos from '89 Cabriolet

1.6 turbo diesel engine w/Giles performance injection pump and Garrett T3 turbo

1.6 TD injector nozzles

5 speed deisel trans FF code

New Bosch fast glow plugs w/relay

Techtonics Tuning 2.25" Downpipe

All new engine and transmission seals


New shift linkage w/new bushings


New hoses

New water pump

New motor mounts

New drive axles

Rebuilt A/C compressor

New wheel bearings

New stainless steel brake lines

New Calipers

New control arms

New brake pads

New KYB struts

Weitech 2" drop springs

New upper strut mounts w/bearings

New rear 200mm drums

New drum brake spring/hardware kit

New inner/outer wheel bearings

New wheel seals

New rear shoes

2.5" drop plates for rear axle

New fuel hoses from tank to IP

New tires

Camper shell


New rack and pinion

New inner and outer tie rods

New polyurethane steering rack, control arm bushings and bump stops for the struts

New Neuspeed lower brace that bolts to the LCA bolts

New battery

New projector headlights (H4)

New front marker lenses

Hella Grille working/uncracked fog lights

GTI front valance w/inner fender wells, and wheel well extensions from a factory GTI Rabbit, all mounted correctly

New Flag Mirrors from MK1 Autohaus

New taillights w/LED bulbs throughout entire truck, including dome light

Very nice spare tailgate
 
This truck drives brand new, as well it should given the parts and money invested.  All parts I removed from the truck that were worth saving will go with it, i.e., factory coil springs, headliner cardboard and extra parts I acquired for the build, etc..

All this truck needs is a small dent repaired on the driver side bed near the taillight housing and other dings from being on the road for 28 years and it's a very nice FINISHED restored pickup.

The turbo diesel runs fantastic, and has only used a half quart of oil in 3100 miles.  It gets 39-41 MPG consistently, and has a little more pep w/o the shell on it.

I am only entertaining serious offers, so please, no trades.  A lot of folks on here have a pretty good idea about what I spent on it to bring it back to life and I would appreciate not being lowballed.

I can provide receipts for EVERYTHING installed that is listed above.

Someone please make a good home for this

I would like to get $7200 OBO.

I apologize for the lenghty post.

Edit:  I forgot to mention all switches in dash were repaced with new, including a new Autometer mecanical boost gauge and new turn and wiper stalks, ignition switch and relays.

[Kantdrivefast]

7200?

Seems rather steep to me....

Regardless, good luck with the sale.

[CODE4LS1]

well, as the post states it's "OBO", so it is flexible.  I spent really close to that amount in new parts, so I would like to at least try my luck.  Someone make an offer and we will go from there.

[rallydiesel]

Sweet truck. Bump for you.

[CODE4LS1]

Thanks  

[jtanguay]

for what you've done to the truck its definitely worth 7200.  finding a buyer willing to pay that in this economy might prove to be quite difficult, but i think you could get it if you're not in a hurry to sell.

[81tdpu]

Its too bad because I am undertaking the same project.  I already have 90% of the parts in your list ready to be installed.  Otherwise I would have considered buying yours. You have done a great job.

Can I ask where you bought your carpet and door panels, my research indicates newton in UK is best quality but would prefer a supplier in NA.

[CODE4LS1]

Thanks for the kind works everyone.  I know this is not the best time to try to sell a rare vehicle, but I am not in a hurry (yet), so hopefully the right person will come along.  Keep in mind, though, the price is "OBO", and I could use the money to fund another project of mine, a LS1 into my '00 S10  :shock:

Let me know what you guys are thinking on the price, but lowballers will not even get a reply.

81tdpu, I got my carpet kit and door panels from vwupholstery.com.  Just find alocal dealer near you!