Volkswagen says US pickup is back on the table

dubStrom

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Location
Kansas City Missouri
TDI
2003 A4 Jetta (sold), 2010 JSW (sold), 2013 Passat 6MT traded for 2014 JSW with 6MT-TOTALED in November 2016, 2003 ALH 5MT conversion (sold), wheezing 2015 GSW/DSG and a new 2021 Tacoma Access Cab 4x4 p'up
My 1983 Toyota SR5 has a 7'2" bed. I found a canope/topper on a Chevy S10 that was 2" SHORTER than my Toyota bed. I covered the front 2" with a piece of molding and made it fit. Does NOT leak! Paid $100 for it (Leer with dark tint, no beer window).
http://www.yotatech.com/f114/7-foot-topper-72-bed-molding-gap-261509/

$3000 cash for the truck, Arizona desert find. I have a hard time imagining a reason to sell this thing for a $30k replacement. But I might...

Added 16" steel wheels and BF Goodrich Commercial T/A (245width), and it climbs like a goat.
http://www.yotatech.com/52057611-post12.html

The wheels/tire combo was not cheap (~$1500-$1600), but it is a REAL work truck now. Slow, but gets there!
http://www.yotatech.com/52057890-post13.html

Don't wait for Chevy, Ford, Nissan, or VW. Look around and find your truck now!
 
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powerfool

Veteran Member
Joined
May 25, 2012
Location
Indianapolis Metro Area
TDI
None anymore
I am thinking of buying an older Touareg gasser and chopping the back and putting on a short-ish bed. Then drop in a 3.0 diesel.

The Touareg has two main issues that keep it from being useful to most folks:

1) Passenger room: it has the same passenger room as the Passat, essentially, for $15k more. They stretched the Audi Q7 and get another row of seats, which is a winner for GM with the Chevy Traverse/GMC Acadia/Buick Enclave, despite their horrendous fuel economy.

2) Cargo room: well, if it had the passenger room, having cargo area similar to a wagon wouldn't be that big of a deal. Put a bed on the thing and that changes the game.

It is essentially the worst of both worlds in that regard. The only practical reason for buying one is that you want a Euro-diesel SUV and you don't want to pay the Audi sticker and you actually want towing capacity.
 

kjclow

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 26, 2003
Location
Charlotte, NC
TDI
2010 JSW TDI silver and black. 2017 Ram Ecodiesel dark red with brown and beige interior.
I thought it was more of Mahindra not being able to meet the EPA regulations and all kinds of questionable dealer setups.
 

rotarykid

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 27, 2003
Location
Piedmont of N.C. & the plains of Colorado
TDI
1997 Passat TDI White,99.5 Blue Jetta TDI
I thought it was more of Mahindra not being able to meet the EPA regulations and all kinds of questionable dealer setups.
What I have seen that it's issues were more related to passing safety crash tests in a satisfactory manor. I am pretty sure they were able to get it to pass emissions, at least initially....
 

squeegee_boy

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2003
Location
Denali, AK
I thought it was more of Mahindra not being able to meet the EPA regulations and all kinds of questionable dealer setups.
That may be, but it can't help when Mahindra was promising 30mpg and the EPA fuel economy came back at 19/21. So many things wrong on a vinyl seat, crank up window, bare bones pickup truck that comes standard with an automatic transmission.
 

dubStrom

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Location
Kansas City Missouri
TDI
2003 A4 Jetta (sold), 2010 JSW (sold), 2013 Passat 6MT traded for 2014 JSW with 6MT-TOTALED in November 2016, 2003 ALH 5MT conversion (sold), wheezing 2015 GSW/DSG and a new 2021 Tacoma Access Cab 4x4 p'up
North American TDI 4x4 pickup-You can do it

Stop pining for Amarok and do what you can with what's available. Most people here will tell you this has been discussed ad nauseum, but not discussed as much as Amarok:rolleyes:

The Acme bell housing adapter plates handle various conversions for Toyota Pickups, including TDI. There are lots of Toyotas out there (LOTS!). And there is lots of experience out there with many, many examples.

Here's one. I love that turbo whistle!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB0jNgkSmww


This one is more high tech, but starting with an older Toyota with solid front axel, and more complete engine gauges.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAJHQWVw23g


In the end, it will probably cost you LESS than an Amarok to do this, and everything you need to do it is available off the shelf or on Craigslist right now! Buy a pampered high end truck with sunroof and lots of options if it is important to you. You can even choose whether you want solid axle with manual hubs, independent front suspension with manual or auto locking hubs. Either one will be a real 4 wheel drive.


If you can afford an Amarok, you can afford to do this.


I am still considering the conversion for mine:


http://www.yotatech.com/f197/83pingpongs-1983-sr5-build-up-thread-262169/

 
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dubStrom

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Location
Kansas City Missouri
TDI
2003 A4 Jetta (sold), 2010 JSW (sold), 2013 Passat 6MT traded for 2014 JSW with 6MT-TOTALED in November 2016, 2003 ALH 5MT conversion (sold), wheezing 2015 GSW/DSG and a new 2021 Tacoma Access Cab 4x4 p'up
If you want a Toyota diesel, import a JDM unit and convert.
Yes. One can get something more directly compatible (though mounts may still need fabrication/modification). But there's lots of running/rebuildable TDI engines out there. It is true that adapting a used Toyota diesel engine (or Isuzu for that matter) into a Toyota may be easier than fitting a VW TDI engine. But the wiring harness and gauging is a challenge in BOTH cases. The Acme converter just makes it possible to do it with a VW TDI.

If you want a TURBO DIESEL, the used naturally aspirated JDM offerings or their gutted TD used engines appear to have have no Turbo equipment for older applications. Of course you can buy anything you can get an adapter plate for, and they have other TDIs (Isuzu, for example). Some Toyota replacement cases may be hand in glove fitment, but I am skeptical, and you still have electrical and gauges to install.

ALH is a favorite for this conversion, and a 1.9L or 2.0L TDI converted Toyota Pickup is a nice option :) like the one's in my post above this one. Youtube has videos from other VW TDI/Toyota 4x4 conversions as well. I've seen Mercedes Benz non-turbo conversions too. Very durable engines. This one is a TD:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnwnGe8xoXQ

Wait for Amarok if you want to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCAtJvPdlDY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP6_APVBLCk
This will cost more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGYgtpIHaO4
Less:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDid1MLA4iM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80dHrY_zdrM

Nice easy access to that alternator and timing belt.

more
 
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