Steel Raindrop Build

[16vvincent]

Thanks Sharon, it is getting there. I am actually looking forward to skinning her. Hopefully I will start before the New Year.

[Wolffarmer]

I just read your build thread. Good work, very good.

For my build I used the rear axle and springs from a VW Rabbit pickup. I don't know the year as it had been pulled and at a guys place. He gave it to me. He tried to give me a 2nd set but I didn't want to be greedy. I also used a VW Rabbit car jack for one of my stabilizer jacks. I sure wished i could find a bunch more, they go up and down real fast and are plenty strong for most teardrops.

Randy

[GuyllFyre]

I also used a VW Rabbit car jack for one of my stabilizer jacks. I sure wished i could find a bunch more, they go up and down real fast and are plenty strong for most teardrops.
Randy

We call those jacks "widowmakers" as they're useless for jacking up a car and having it remain up and stable.

The older ones with the Rabbit had all metal screw parts, they still included it with the newer versions but had plastic parts.

You should be able to find dozens of these at scrapyards. Everyone throws them out because they're dangerous to use to actually change your tire.

[Wolffarmer]

Around here I have found no Rabbits in the junk yards. They seem to crush them rather quickly. I just happen to get this one from a Rabbit that was abandoned at the place I use to have.

I agree they are not a great jack for changing tires ( but better than the old bumper jacks, shudder ) But as one end is bolted to the tear they work pretty good for that.

Randy

[GuyllFyre]

Around here I have found no Rabbits in the junk yards. They seem to crush them rather quickly.

Look for Rabbit, Jetta, Cabriolet, and Golf from 1976 to 1998. All MKI, MKII, and MKIII models came with a version of this jack.

[16vvincent]

Wolfframer:
The Rabbit pickup was available in this country from 1980 to 1984 and the rear axle was the same in all of them. Sadly that axle is a little too narrow for this trailer. But I am using the leafs from a Rabbit Pickup for the suspension (as well as a set a air bags for load assist).

The jacks that you are talking about are exactly what I intend to use for stabilizing the Raindrop and as Guyllfrye mentioned, they are all over the place in most wrecking yards. Also look in the Scirocco and Fox VW's for the jacks. Pretty much everything that VW made from 76 to 98 uses that jack. Guyllfrye is also correct in that using that jack to change a tire is not a pleasing experience.

[DasBaldGuy]

I think all of us VW guys see the widowmaker as a perfect corner stabilizer....I personally have 4 VW Fox widomakers in my garage ready and waiting. ;-)

I wish I knew I'd be into these trailers a few years ago as I have thrown away more widowmakers than I can count....

[Wolffarmer]

Thanks GuyllFyre

Have to make a run through some of the local yards now I know which cars to look for. Any Audi's use that jack?

When i used my VW axle I had to widen it a bit. I put a inch thick iron spacer between the stub axle and the axle tube with longer bolts. If you know that axle you will know what I mean. Just use the best bolts you can find.

Randy

[Wanna Be]

Have you had any time to do more work on this project?
Interesting, as I am thinking along these same lines of build with steel.
Only thing is I want mine to be more along of the "classic" TD lines.
Thanks, Wanna Be