[Vwdiesel] Need advice on purchasing a vw pickup

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

In a message dated 1/13/2011 10:08:31 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
rgreeley2 at hotmail.com writes:

> Hello all, I am looking to purchase a vw pickup and wondered if there 
> where some structural weaknessesunique to this smaller truck. I have seen some 
> in the scrap yards that seem solid, with good drive trains(i purchased the 
> engine trans of one)  and wondered if maybe they where prone to some 
> unibodytwisting from overweighting.
> While my none human cargo would be around 200 -400lbs, sometimes it could 
> reach 800+/-
> I have several drive trains and so I am good on parts.
> Several other swaps i have seen that has my interest.One is a ranger sized 
> pickup (full frame) with a MB 4cyl swap that was getting 32-36 mpg. this 
> sort of swaplooks interesting as it is bigger and by keeping the trucks 
> transmission, one could make it a 4 wheel drive. I have read accounts of people 
> putting the 3.9 cummins in fuller sized pu's, say 1/2 or 3/4 ton, though i 
> can'tseem to verify the mpg's. 
> I don't have time for a bigger project at the moment and so the vw pick up 
> is the best solution. Here in chicagothey are few and rotted to "yard art" 
> 
> I am open to travel for one, either project or driver.
> 

  I've heard a lot about rusting shock towers but here in central WA, I've 
never 
seen one.  In fact the only rust I've seen on VW's for the most part, is 
around 
the windshiled or hatch glass.
  We were told about a guy that put a Perkins in a full sized pickup.  
Claim 
was 50mpg.  The guy we were talking to says it's indeed true.  They took a 
trip and he paid for the fuel and it made 50mpg.  There's a second tranny 
behind 
the first, mounted backward I believe.  It's in Copalis Crossing.  Need to 
track 
that down when were there sometime...
  If I were going to drop a diesel into a mid sized pickup.  I'd strongly 
consider 
one of the Toyota or Nissans and get a JDM engine to do it with.  If you 
find 
the right place, the engines are very reasonable and most of the Nissans 
coming in, seem to be non computer controlled so no front clip needed.
     Loren