Buying '78 Lil Red Express Truck

[dieselshadow]

I’m patiently awaiting pics....

 

[HPSimpson]

Great you have a new to you Toy, Conrats! How about couple pictures, please!

 

[Wayne M.]

Great you have a new to you Toy, Conrats! How about couple pictures, please!

Like one of them could be a smoky burnout pic.

 

[EDankievitch]

Sweet truck, Best of luck with it. One day I'll find a Warlock with my name on it.... Along with that winning Lotto ticket. Lol. Until then I'm going to live vicariously through people like you that have the time and funds to enjoy and preserve toys like these.

 

[TFucili]

Simon & Simon next??

 

[Wayne M.]

Simon & Simon next??

A Macho option Power Wagon. I think they have a similar package for today’s PW.

 

[Wayne M.]

 

[DavidC]

When I started as an electrical apprentice the company (6 brothers had one of these rigged up for electrical work). I think the top speed was about 30mph but it was built like a tank.
#ad

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

Changed axle fluid and oil today... Air filter looks new so still good. The AM/FM radio wasn't working and had crap wiring out of the back. I'll keep it if I sell if someone wants stock, but I have a nice 2 din Chrysler AM/FM/5 or 6CD changer that CAN fit. Got a 1200 watt amp and 12inch sub will fill space behind seat. Got the Kicker 6"x9" triax for the doors and 6.5" triax for corners behind the seat. I was gonna put those in my former 1970 Monte Carlo, but they will work fine in the LRE.

I thought it was cool Dodge, in one of the sales brochures, warned potential buyers to check local noise ordinances before purchasing.

OK, I'm not going to turn it up except to drown out the stacks.

Only could work on truck 4 hours today with darned ankle, even doing mostly sitting and laying down. Mama did make me a Jack and Coke with a twist of lemon. Tell me I'm not blessed.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

When I started as an electrical apprentice the company (6 brothers had one of these rigged up for electrical work). I think the top speed was about 30mph but it was built like a tank.
#ad

These and the Kaiser Pickups used in Viet Nam were popular for fire departments to make into brush trucks. The Kaiser had a big straight six, was loud and proud. I loved training with these trucks. They proved their worth when we fought brush fires.

They got terrible fuel mileage too. They would be nice platforms for Cummins motors.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

OK, made quick trip to shop to post goodies that will be going into the truck AND the dash taken apart:

This truck didn't have factory buckets, tach, or ammeter and vacuum meter, so I'm installing tach (aftermarket) ammeter/vacuum meter (factory). Going to make it ALL look factory, so will be a couple weeks before taking it out for a cruise. Going to Genos now and ordering Painless Wiring block.

EDIT: I like the bench so WILL be keeping it.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wayne M.]

Ron, please go easy on the ankle!!!
Looks like you’re entrenched in that truck! I see that it has the “tuff” steering wheel that’s awesome.

When I started with the city, the building maint division plumber used a ‘68 M715 fresh out of surplus, to run around the landfill. I used to PM it. That was an incredible piece. Still had the blackout lighting on it and 24v electrical and sealed ignition. One night I snuck it out and crashed the local 4wd club meeting with it. Now that was cool!

 

[GCroyle]

Yeah Wayne, healing time then tire pealing time.

OK lot's of audio gear going in, so what's the horn gonna play when you push the button?

That dash scene looks a lot like the dash from my long gone Dodge M880. If you didn't have a bum ankle I've got all the parts to put a handshaker in it, trans too.

Looking good.

 

[Wiredawg]

Yeah Wayne, healing time then tire pealing time.

OK lot's of audio gear going in, so what's the horn gonna play when you push the button?

That dash scene looks a lot like the dash from my long gone Dodge M880. If you didn't have a bum ankle I've got all the parts to put a handshaker in it, trans too.

Looking good.

Funny you should mention the horn. It doesn't work along with dash lights and A/C. Four fuses in the fuse panel aren't getting 12VDC. There has been some factory wiring that has been cut and spliced inside the dash. Backup lights working, but not through the fuse panel.

I'm going to stop any upgrades for a bit and restore factory wiring. Purchased factory repair manual that has wiring diagram. Troubleshooting vehicle electrical issues can be time consuming and requires patience. I have both time and patience.

The body, mechanicals, and interior are perfect, and the electrical soon will be too.

Cheers, Ron

 

[HPSimpson]

When can I see picture of your Toy in one piece not all apart, electrical trouble shoot will keep of you off your ankle!

 

[DavidC]

Projects,projects,projects. You also have an air compressor to install.

 

[Wayne M.]

Ron, I know you’re very capable in repairing whatever electrical gremlins are in that truck, but here’s an excellent Mopar only wiring vendor. I’ve dealt with them years ago. They’re mostly muscle era, but I think they can help you with parts, connectors, etc.
http://www.evanswiring.com/default.htm

 

[Wiredawg]

Projects,projects,projects. You also have an air compressor to install.

Dave, I tried, but need full mobility to do it. it sitting on the workbench watching and taunting me.

Ron, I know you’re very capable in repairing whatever electrical gremlins are in that truck, but here’s an excellent Mopar only wiring vendor. I’ve dealt with them years ago. They’re mostly muscle era, but I think they can help you with parts, connectors, etc.
http://www.evanswiring.com/default.htm

Wayne, Thanks. Already found one problem with wiring on the horn. I scanned and taped together the FSM wiring diagrams and tracing circuits.

I'm off today and plan on taking it slow next couple of days. I'll post progress as I find it. I appreciate the link, I'll check it out ASAP.

Cheers Friends,

Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

I truly do believe they did a frame off restoration on this truck. The mechanicals and the body/paint is great, but the electrical is sad at best. There's stuff that didn't make it back on AND stuff wired wrong. Today, I

- Completed removing the instrument cluster,
- While I had the instrument cluster out, I had some LED bulbs that fit, so installed them. Gonna clean up the instrument cluster while I have it out.
- I traced the wire connected to the horn and found it was ACTUALLY the windshield washer pump operate circuit.
- So, I went ahead installed and wired in the four loud Cadillac horns I was going to install on my Wrangler. Horns still don't work though,
- I believe I have a bad fusible link, there are 4 on the truck. Not getting battery on half of the fuse block.
- I looked on the Internet for and didn't find a 1974 to 1980 Dodge Ram windshield washer tank with pump, so ordered a universal one that includes the plumbing and spray nozzles, a complete kit.

Tomorrow, I'm going to troubleshoot the reason I'm not getting power to the fuse panel and get the power all working. Its got to be bad fusible links.

I'll take a pic of the dash with it gutted out tomorrow.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Timd32]

Friends,

I truly do believe they did a frame off restoration on this truck. The mechanicals and the body/paint is great, but the electrical is sad at best. There's stuff that didn't make it back on AND stuff wired wrong. Today, I

- Completed removing the instrument cluster,
- While I had the instrument cluster out, I had some LED bulbs that fit, so installed them. Gonna clean up the instrument cluster while I have it out.
- I traced the wire connected to the horn and found it was ACTUALLY the windshield washer pump operate circuit.
- So, I went ahead installed and wired in the four loud Cadillac horns I was going to install on my Wrangler. Horns still don't work though,
- I believe I have a bad fusible link, there are 4 on the truck. Not getting battery on half of the fuse block.
- I looked on the Internet for and didn't find a 1974 to 1980 Dodge Ram windshield washer tank with pump, so ordered a universal one that includes the plumbing and spray nozzles, a complete kit.

Tomorrow, I'm going to troubleshoot the reason I'm not getting power to the fuse panel and get the power all working. Its got to be bad fusible links.

I'll take a pic of the dash with it gutted out tomorrow.

Cheers, Ron

Yep sounds like my '96, pic from previous owner, frame is actually a '97, wish I had 2 weeks with it like this to clean stuff up.

The body stuff, replacement panels, paint and all under coatings were spot on, but some electrical/mechanical I would have done a lot more too for sure. But then what would we work on?

Looks like a nice start for sure for your project.