Here I am

Buying '78 Lil Red Express Truck

Attention: TDR Forum Junkies
To the point: Click this link and check out the Front Page News story(ies) where we are tracking the introduction of the 2025 Ram HD trucks.

Thanks, TDR Staff
NIsaacs

Stellantis, 520-HP twin-turbo, Hurricane engine

  • NIsaacs
  • Replies: 0
Timd32

GPF Gas Particulate Filter

  • Timd32
  • Replies: 2
HPSimpson said:
Sounds like you are pretty close with such a sweet ride, replace the window in the Jeep next. Then you can return and with a meter discover problem, I was flying recon aircraft.
Click to expand...

Finished the window install... misplaced the spacers, so had judgement call... mission is a go. Used a couple 1/8 inch screws. Wouldn't seem right not to have a LITTLE field engineering on a project. Back to the LRE tomorrow. Gotta fix the turn signal, connect hot lead to relay controlled Cadillac horns and the power amp/subwoofer.

I ha couple assignments and deployments where I supported SPOOKY folks. It was fun, scary, and satisfying.

Cheers friends and thanks for all the advice, humor, and war stories.

Ron
 
Friends,

I figured out last night the front turn signal problem looking at wiring schematics: some vehicles manufactured in the 60s and 70s had side marker lights wired to both tur signals and parking/running light circuits. Incandescent bulbs flow current both ways and are not polarity sensitive, but LEDs are. So simple fix: cut and cap the blinker wire to the front side marker lights and terminate the cut end lead from the light to ground. Problem solved.

I installed the wrong LED flashers, glad I called vendor. There are a different model for pre 90s vehicles. They're swapping on their dime.

So, now I'm working on the amp and sub. Should have pics this evening.

Cheers, Ron
 
HPSimpson said:
Yes Stereo music amp and of course the sub is very important, is the Cadillac horns hooked up, by the way how is your ankle holding up. Yes us spooky folks are strange.
Click to expand...
Ankle pretty OK.... I spent a lot of my career working fixed C2. I miss it sometimes.

Cheets, Ron
 
Friends,

I ran out of steam today... Let pics speak:
20191108_174041.jpg


20191108_174145.jpg

BRIGHT parking light LEDs.
20191108_174255.jpg


BRIGHT amber flashers.
20191108_174323.jpg

LED in glove box.
20191108_172442.jpg


I anticipate fiishing tomorrow. Pretty tired.

Talk atcha Saturday.

Cheers, Ron
 
HPSimpson said:
Aren't you going to some party on Saturday, so maybe not finish until after Veterans Day and you are a Veteran!
Click to expand...

Big Bubbles, No troubles! I have about 2hours work left... just terminate the speakers and plug in the RCA plugs, and smoke test the sound system, if all good, put the seat back in. All power and grounding done. If not raining tomorrow, gonna take her and fill it up with gas. never drove it on the road yet. Party is 1630 and we'll stay 2-3hrs. Next week, I'm going to finalize the revised schematics and document every change and modification I've done.

Cheers, Ron
 
WOAH!!! I love them parking/turn signal lights!!! Them's some BRIGHT lights! If'n them was some incandescents you'd cook squirrels at 100 yards at least. Now you'll just blind them so you can walk right up and tag 'em. Rest of the stuff is lookin' good too!
 
brucejohnson said:
WOAH!!! I love them parking/turn signal lights!!! Them's some BRIGHT lights! If'n them was some incandescents you'd cook squirrels at 100 yards at least. Now you'll just blind them so you can walk right up and tag 'em. Rest of the stuff is lookin' good too!
Click to expand...

I went on the cheap for the LED headlights. Bought the shell enclosures and installed LED headlight bulbs in them, but they shine good and have nice pattern. I want to keep the appearance as stock as possible. You cain't see it real well, but my Lil Red Express front tag came in today and I put her on the front.

Cheers, Ron
 
Wayne M. said:
It’s coming together! Looking great! Very interesting on the LED/ old car circuitry issue.
Click to expand...

An interesting capability you could wire incandescent marker lights, one lead to battery running lights and the other lead to the turn signal battery. When you used turn signal, the flashed out of sync from the front and rear flashers and when you turned on running lights they worked, and when you had running lights on and turn signal on, they flashed. Don't work with LEDs cuz they're polarity sensitive.

Finished the amp and sub today... un a little deaf from setting them up, but its was quick. Reason you can't or at least I can't wear ear protection is you have to set receiver at 80% volume and set amp/sub levels until there's no distortion. Won't listen to it loud, just audio system sounds good with nice speakers and wittle amp.

Anyhoo, my sweet assistant is vacuuming then putting seat back in. While I was at it, ran two 14ga wires to the dome light. No voltage at recepticle. Another days job.

20191109_110320.jpg


Got a big mess to clean up on the shop AND gotta redo the window replacement on the Jeep... didn't read not to keep pressing...its like once and done. I guess it spreads the sealant too much and creates leaks. Gonna just do it over and do it right.

Cheers, Ron
 
First time driving the LRE was fun, got quite a few stares and thumbs up. Took 13.4 gallons to fill up after dumping 5 in. I believe it may be a 20 gallon tank and keeps about 4 gallon reserve. Fuel gauge barely moved off E after dropping in the 5 gallons. Funny how the industrial safety comes out in me. Fuel filler is right by the hot stack and was thinking if anyone ever got smoked filling up... and of course you gotta hold it about a third filler in. Splashed some gas on the pretty chrome step. I put Murphys non ethanol gas at 1.63 gallon while not more than 10% ethanol was just $2.15.:eek:

Got real nice acceleration that I think surprised a couple folks. haven't floored it yet until get transmission checked next week. Might get the alignment checked too.:cool::cool:

Sound system is pretty sweet.... nice to turn it up some while cruising. Sub is very nice. Speakers are the Kicker 6x9 upgrade for the Alpnine system and I opted to use the Boss 6 inch ( I think) versus the 5.5 Kickers, which are going into the Jeep. :D:D Got about $300 in the upgrade buying off Ebay.:D

I'll work on a video of it, really wanted to check it out during the daylight to make sure there wasn't an unidentified problem.

One problem I ID'd is the ignition switch accesory output does not work. There were two accesory outputs and two battery inputs on the ignition switch and I tied both battery input together from new fuse panel. not a big problem, but gonna be a couple weeks before I fix that.

Anyhoo, gonna take a short power nap before the party. Woke up at 0235, 0320, and finally stayed up at 0430. Bad I mean BAD sinuses. I take meds every day and likely OD'd on Flonase.

I'm happy LRE owner! :D:cool::)

Cheers, Ron
 
Sounds like was super time driving the little Red Express, of course back in the era in the past gasoline tanks were bit larger than the present, enjoy the truck Ron. First time out all the little things show up, take your time thoses all can be repaired.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Issue 128 – Digital Version
Digital Magazines
FREE!
TDR Test Drive - Digital Edition
Renew
Subscribe
Gift Subscriptions
Back Issues
Subscription Status
Address Change Form
Buyer's Guides
Ram Diagnostic Trouble Codes
The Perfect Collection
The Perfect Collection Vol. II
TSB Updates
Dodge/Cummins Historical Overview
Cameron Collection
What Makes Us Tick?
Product Showcase
Advertising



Turbo Diesel Register
Issue 128 – Digital Version
Digital Magazines
FREE!
TDR Test Drive - Digital Edition
Renew
Subscribe
Gift Subscriptions
Back Issues
Subscription Status
Address Change Form
Buyer's Guides
Ram Diagnostic Trouble Codes
The Perfect Collection
The Perfect Collection Vol. II
TSB Updates
Dodge/Cummins Historical Overview
Cameron Collection
What Makes Us Tick?
Product Showcase
Advertising



Back
Top