I want to Upgrade my '81 Caddy

[Cbarr81]

I'm looking to upgrade my '81 Caddy. Any ideas or spare parts please let me know.
I'm looking for a complete pre-'93 Cabriolet dash, 4-light grille, '80 rabbit fenders (w/o cutout for signals as in '81 fenders), and some MkI gti brakes and 4x100 wheels/tires.
I have also seen a few 'euro bumpers' any sources for these? Thoughts?
Also open to steering wheels, seats, consoles, etc. Sooner than later I'd like to ditch the 1.6 N/A Diesel for a 1.9 AAZ swap.
This has been my beater truck for a few years but instead of scrapping it I've decided to explore some of it's potential. Any and all info would be greatly appreciated!! I'm not really sure where to source these parts and what will/won't work on these trucks as far as swaps go.

Thanks!!
Chad

[Letterman7]

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zeromain?id=87
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www.nationalsterling.org
www.tamartedesign.com

[zuhaelter_82]

Brakes are easy... Take everything from a 16V rocco and swap them over but be sure to include the E-brake cables. When it comes to bumpers you can always just drill out the bumper struts and push the bumpers closer to the body. There are a million types of wheels out there but it all depends on what you like.
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59 Single Cab, 64 Type II, A3 GLX, A4 GLS, B5 GLS

[mike yapps]

Here's a pic of mine. I did the earlier front end. You'll need to change core support (requires welding). I used a cabriolet dash, need to change the mounts (also requires welding). I used 83 GTI seats with no headrest to give me a bit more legroom. I'm running Mk1 GTI brakes in front right now and Mk2 Gti discs w/ Mk4 calipers in the rear. I got my bumper from Rabbitparts.com. I've also seen the smaller steel ones too, just need to search around to find them. Wheels, steering wheels, ... lots to choose from, depending on what you want.
Good luck with it.

[zuhaelter_82]

KLEAN!
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59 Single Cab, 64 Type II, A3 GLX, A4 GLS, B5 GLS

[Cbarr81]

I really like your caddy. He's right; it is nicely done and really clean looking. I have heard that Mk1 GTI brakes, calipers and carriers would bolt directly onto a caddy. I'm looking to do just that. I like the look of a cabby dash & don't mind some fab work to fit it. When I swap it in will the senders and wiring work back in pretty easily or will i have to adapt it? I also like the idea of a small center console. Any ideas? Currently I have an eye on some GTI snowflake wheels. Thinking of going that way for now just as a cheap decent looking alternative to the stock steelies & centers that are on it now. About the bumper; I have a pretty decent aluminum front bumper with the black trim strip and bumper ends. I'd just like the smaller bumper & tuck the brackets into the body closer. I really like your duck spoiler. What did it come off of? Can you order it direct fit? If I go for the cabby grille won't i need the fenders w/o signal recesses; and the lower filler under the grille?

Sorry for all the detailed inquiries. I just want to do things right and ONE time.
Thanks for the input!

[zuhaelter_82]

With your year, you should have square headlights. If you want to go to dual rounds you may* have to cut the core support out of the Cabby and weld it in. MKI GTI brakes will work but then you are still drum in the back. The GTI or Cabby console would be the smallest and best fitting IMHO.

You need to check this site out...
http://store.blackforestindustries.com/exterior.html
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59 Single Cab, 64 Type II, A3 GLX, A4 GLS, B5 GLS

[mike yapps]

You will need to change the core support unless you have some fabrication skills. I did a swap on my 83 GTI and filled the corner lights in and made the curved part under the headlights and made brackets for the lights. Easier to do a core support swap and fenders. That lower filler piece is part of the core support.

I used a cabby center console except I moved the gauges up where the radio usually is and the radio is where the gauges usually are. Used the stock wiring and senders. If I remember correctly I had to swap out the connectors on the light switch and the instrument cluster. I know the light switch is different but the cluster I guess depends on what you use. Not too hard to do if you have a wiring diagram. But if you have a donor, then I'd just swap harnesses.

Mk1 brakes are direct bolt on. Pretty much anything Mk1 is the same for the front half of the caddy. 2 door rabbit doors are the same. I think I got the duckbill off ebay, but they are easily found. They have the long one like mine and also a thinner one as well. They'll bolt right on.

[zuhaelter_82]

I always thought the 2 door Rabbits have longer doors... When we took the my interior out of my GTI and put it in the Caddy, we had to cut down the door card to fit and re-tuck the extra material.
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59 Single Cab, 64 Type II, A3 GLX, A4 GLS, B5 GLS

[mike yapps]

Sorry about that, I meant the 4 door ones are the same.

[sipndiesel]

Will a console from an 86 cabriolet directly fit on an 81 caddy? I don't mind a little trimming, but I was just wondering if it would be pretty easy.