i know this may be a shot in the dark here, but i'm interested in taking my 1982 vw diesel pickup (also known as the caddy) off roading. does anyone have any info on how to do a suspension lift and make this an all terrain truck instead of just a city truck? :)
Part Number: 87ZX5964Y At JCWhitney's web site will bring you to a set of "helper springs for the Rear of The VW truck that you can use to get upto 2
1/2 inches of extra lift, and about 1500 pounds of cargo capacity to boot!
As for the front There was a company that made a 2 inch spacer that you installed between the top of the strutmount, and the body made of aluminum, but they are long gone. I use 2 sets of rubber spacers made for universal applications that you fit between the strut springs It gives me about 2 inches up front. I also use 14inch rims. The standard shocks work fine.
Advice? Yeah, don't take it offroad. The steering suspension alone is reason enough not to do it. One good set of ruts at the wrong speed and you're toast. That and you don't necessarily have the best mount points for the inevitable tow hooks that'll be necessary to extract it.
Then there's the lack of horspower to properly spin meaty enough tires to actually go offroad.
Better off picking up a ratty-ass Jeep CJ or an on-frame pickup truck that's already got 4x4 if you're that intent on it. Even mild 'horsing around' with caddy would probably ruin it.
i don't have enough cash to get a whole new truck - just bought this one in deccember, before i joined the department of public works of black rock city (burning man) and realized i'd be bombing around in the nevada desert every other weekend this summer.
the truck can handle the flat playa no problem, but the dirt roads around it are a bit rutty and bumpy.
Yeah, it's the ruts that'll kill it. The strut suspension really isn't cut out for off-road use. Yes, you could use it but if you're in areas that need a lift kit you're well beyond what the suspension would handle. Tough break.
Nice website. Go for the 1.8L and 5speed for your 79 ol Lady. :-)
The only thing good about ol lady vehicles are that they don't drive around much. However all the ol lady vehicles I saw died or were in poor mechanical shape because ol ladys hate to spend money on maintainance.
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.