84 rabbit auto flexplate availability

Toby_B · August 2nd, 2009, 20:23

i just bought an 84 diesel rabbit pickup with a grumman utility body on it and an auto trans. it needs a flexplate, it has a bunch of missing teeth. no one even has a listing for it, i might have to reweld the teeth and shape them with a grinder. anyone know where to get one?

v8volvo · August 3rd, 2009, 14:57

What about converting it to a manual trans? Thing would be a lot more reasonable to drive, those automatics are not durable and sap a lot of power. Something a 52hp 1.6L diesel can ill afford...

Toby_B · August 3rd, 2009, 20:04

it is used as a delivery vehicle for a flower shop(many drivers) so it needs to be an auto, not everyone is smart enough to drive a manual trans.

compu_85 · August 3rd, 2009, 20:27

The parts catalog calls it the carrier plate. I believe the part number is 053105323E.

-J

v8volvo · August 3rd, 2009, 21:38

I think it's going to be pretty tough to find this part. Early diesel automatics were extremely rare (for good reason). However, I think it's not unlikely that a gasser automatic flexplate is the same, or if it's different I'd guess it could probably be adapted without too much trouble. Also you could see if you can find an automatic diesel from a later year -- '85 on might be the same too.

Compu are you able to reference the part numbers and see if gasser/later diesel flexplates are the same? Now I am curious...

BTW: if you find a car with an appropriate flexplate.... might want to grab the trans too. If yours hasn't burned out yet, odds are it will....

compu_85 · August 4th, 2009, 10:35

Any Mk1 / Mk2 automatic uses the same flex plate... gas or diesel.

Good call on grabbing an extra trans. That automatic is fairly good, with only 3 gears there's not much to bust!

-J

Toby_B · August 4th, 2009, 20:27

you guys are awesome. thanks

coalminer16 · August 6th, 2009, 23:02

Just a thought but the rabbit truck is one of the easiest to learn how to drive a manual. There isn't enough power really to burn the clutch out that fast and it should be a really easy shifter (slides into gear nicely). If you want a 4 spd I will be having one up for sale in about 1 month. Plus they could then learn what everyone should learn before taking a driving test. How to drive a manual. Wife hatted to learn but now loves them.

coalminer16 · August 6th, 2009, 23:03

Just a thought but the rabbit truck is one of the easiest to learn how to drive a manual. There isn't enough power really to burn the clutch out that fast and it should be a really easy shifter (slides into gear nicely). If you want a 4 spd I will be having one up for sale in about 1 month. Plus they could then learn what everyone should learn before taking a driving test. How to drive a manual. Wife hatted to learn but now loves them.

Toby_B · November 6th, 2009, 21:10

still cant seem to find one new or used, dealer wants $400+ if they can find one. would like a used one if anyone has one.

coalminer16 · November 7th, 2009, 09:34

There isn't many Auto trannys from that period so find a used will be very very hard. I did see one in a salvage yard a few years back but that car is long gone.

oilhammer · November 7th, 2009, 10:10

First, the 010 transmission is a VERY good unit...the best in-house autobox VW has ever had.... they even used them in 5000 turbos, Porsche 944s, and Vanagons!. The only thing to watch out for is fluid mix, as the final drive has its own lube and can often leak gear oil into the transmission. Close watch on the fluid levels and frequent changes (easy, cheap) will eliminate that.

Second, and transverse 010-equipped car should use that same part. They used that setup for a LONG time, 1974 to 1993, and there were LOTS of cars so-equipped. A1s and A2s, gas or diesel (diesel automatics were very rare).

The most common would have been 1985 through 1991 gas Jettas with the 1.8L GX (CIS) engine or the 1.8L RV (Digifant) engine, as well as the countless Cabriolets that were more often than not automatics that were still sold here through 1993.