Buying '78 Lil Red Express Truck

[Wiredawg]

Are you looking for this for the connector?

https://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Universal-90-Temperature-Sensor-Pigtail-GM-121121-p/r5656c.htm

Other places has them too - not sure where I bought my last one from. Used it on the temp sender for the GTX 440 motor.

Dan,

Thanks, yep, that'd be it. Gonna order it today. Just ran self checklist: Got the thread, name, answer all correct... approved to press "Post Reply"

Thanks, Ron

 

[HPSimpson]

Ron, Have you clean the inside of the fuel tank, what was the contents anything interesting? What is the condition of where it's mounted just goof odd questions.

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

Finished the fuel tank today. In addition to transitioning the 2inch filler pipe to 1 3/4" fuel tank pipe, I had to transition the 3/8" vent pipe to 1/2" pipe on the fuel gauge module. Before I complete removing wood floor for light sanding and additional coats of Marine Spar satin finish, going to fill her up and verify no leaks.

Glad to have this out of the way... the mechanical rehab of the truck should be complete.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

Filled her up today, no leaks, no odor. Drove about 20 miles... beautiful day here in the low 70s with sunshine.

Thanks for all the help to make this work out so well.

Cheers, Ron

 

[HPSimpson]

Friends,

Finished the fuel tank today. In addition to transitioning the 2inch filler pipe to 1 3/4" fuel tank pipe, I had to transition the 3/8" vent pipe to 1/2" pipe on the fuel gauge module. Before I complete removing wood floor for light sanding and additional coats of Marine Spar satin finish, going to fill her up and verify no leaks.

View attachment 126457

View attachment 126458

Glad to have this out of the way... the mechanical rehab of the truck should be complete.

Cheers, Ron

Famous last words!

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Hey - just saw this - thought you might like to see the pics.

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/dodge/d100/2464268.html

 

[Wiredawg]

Dan,

Thanks for posting. I've yet to see another one on the road forever. There's a couple clubs, but they won't post member contact info, even if agreed to by members. I haven't pursued it. Had a lady approach me not long ago saying her Dad bought one in 1980 and when he could no longer drive, parked it behind his house. I withheld the urge to ask if they wanted to sell it as not sure I'm up to another porject.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Deathrowdave]

Here you go Cummins Powered , NV4500 and NP205 , Dana 60 front and rear with power locks both ends .

 

[Wiredawg]

Here you go Cummins Powered , NV4500 and NP205 , Dana 60 front and rear with power locks both ends .

View attachment 129533

Nice rig! I loved the Power Wagons from the 70s, cool paint and graphics.

Thanks for posting.

Cheers, Ron

 

[EDankievitch]

I’ve always liked those Warlock trucks. Nice ones fetch a pretty penny these days. I’m torn between a Warlock or a Ramcharger… One day when the Wife lets me get one…

 

[crispyboy]

I have been seeing a restored truck like the one in Deathrowdaves post in our area. It has a V8 gas motor and the owner has done a nice restoration. Sorry I don't have a picture.

 

[Wiredawg]

I’ve always liked those Warlock trucks. Nice ones fetch a pretty penny these days. I’m torn between a Warlock or a Ramcharger… One day when the Wife lets me get one…

I really think a Ramcharger could be done Black with gold pinstripe and gold wagon wheels be pretty cool.

 

[HPSimpson]

I am sure if you look around in Texas there is a Ramcharger you could buy and stick 5.9 Cummins Marine engine, paint Gloss Black with gold pinstripe GOLD wagon wheels that would be most beautiful looking rig!

 

[Wiredawg]

I am sure if you look around in Texas there is a Ramcharger you could buy and stick 5.9 Cummins Marine engine, paint Gloss Black with gold pinstripe GOLD wagon wheels that would be most beautiful looking rig!

Howdy Homer,

DW has put a storage limit on me for vehicles: I can only have what I can store in the shop and I'm afraid I'm at my limit. Probably a good thing too.

Cheers, Ron

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Howdy Homer,

DW has put a storage limit on me for vehicles: I can only have what I can store in the shop and I'm afraid I'm at my limit. Probably a good thing too.

Cheers, Ron

Sounds like you need a bigger shop Ron!

 

[Wiredawg]

Sounds like you need a bigger shop Ron!

Ha ha, DW has her bases covered... at 60ft x 60ft, I would rather pull my front teeth than to even hint at shop expansion. But, with the vehicle fleet we have, all I can say is life is VERY GOOD IN AMERICA.

 

[Wiredawg]

Hey - just saw this - thought you might like to see the pics.

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/dodge/d100/2464268.html

Hey Dan,

I looked closely at the LRE that is listed as original, but is not. Here is what I found:
1. Missing factory air cleaner and dual snorkle cold air intake hoses.
2. Missing factory HVAC cover on the firewall.
3. Replaced factory chromed wheels.
4. Has dual towing mirrors versus OEM side view mirrors.
5. Tailgate not original...has standard Dodge stamped tailgate. Original is flat blank with red Dodge decal.
6. I'm not 100% sure on this one, but I believe 78 and 79 LREs only had silver dash gauge faces... this one looks like vinyl contact paper.

Based upon my observation and experience, this unit is way overpriced and would be fairly expensive to replace the missing components.

Mine as it sits would lose originality points based upon me doing the following:

1. Replacing all incandescent bulbs with LEDs
2. My factory original slotted wheels are painted silver versus chrome... they had problems with surface rust. Gonna get mine chromed on day.
3. I replaced melted fuse panel with one made by Painless Wiring versus the OEM one. I had found an OEM one and actually toiled a couple of weeks whether to go OEM or upgrade it...I chose upgrade to break up so many circuits combined on so few fuses.

Funny how you notice details when you own one, especially one with so many special features.

It was fun checking it out.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Hmm - I thought I responded to this....crap - sorry.

Thanks for letting me know what was wrong with that one. Always fun to look at stuff when you KNOW what is right. I enjoy doing that when looking at a 68-70 B body for sale.
What ticks me off is when I bring a car to a show and Mr. know-it-all tells me what is wrong with it - like I didn't already know that I don't have the $$ for the correct (whatever) part.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Here is my Ramcharger that I had. It is a 77. Started life as a 316 - progressed to 360, then 440.

This is how it was when I sold it when I got the 96 Dodge Diesel PU.

 

[Wiredawg]

Hmm - I thought I responded to this....crap - sorry.

Thanks for letting me know what was wrong with that one. Always fun to look at stuff when you KNOW what is right. I enjoy doing that when looking at a 68-70 B body for sale.
What ticks me off is when I bring a car to a show and Mr. know-it-all tells me what is wrong with it - like I didn't already know that I don't have the $$ for the correct (whatever) part.

If they were just selling it, it would be one thing, but they are trying to sell it as original and asking for that premium price.

I really like your former Ramcharger.