Buying '78 Lil Red Express Truck

[brucejohnson]

Just a quick pic after getting home from the party.

View attachment 116732

Real happy with the under dash LEDs. Didn't realize the OEM optional gauges I added on the left don't have the blue green color bulbs like the rest of the dash. One more thing on my future list.

Cheers, Ron

Ron, I believe some of the instrument lights (like the heater controls and ashtray) used what was called a light "condom" which was a silicon sheath that was put over the 168/194 style bulbs and equivalent bayonet bulbs. I used to have a bunch of them, but used most of them on the trucks my sons and I had acquired over the years. They got real scarce in the late 90's.
I found a source at Summit https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/gauge-light-bulb-covers. Not sure about the color accuracy for the dodge trucks.
Under dash lighting looks fantastic! Love the clarity and brightness. So much better than the dim power hungry incandescent bulbs of the past.

 

[HPSimpson]

The interior looks just outstanding Ron, you finish the interior just beautifully very, very nice!

 

[brucejohnson]

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.

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.

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. Got about $300 in the upgrade buying off Ebay.

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!

Cheers, Ron

With all the speakers and power you should run era appropriate music - Billy Thorpe's - "Children of the Sun" and "East of Eden's Gate" through your stereo. Cranked to 90%...just to test the available stereophonic and harmonic dynamics of your "spaceship"...

 

[Wiredawg]

With all the speakers and power you should run era appropriate music - Billy Thorpe's - "Children of the Sun" and "East of Eden's Gate" through your stereo. Cranked to 90%...just to test the available stereophonic and harmonic dynamics of your "spaceship"...

Exactly! That's why resurrected the OEM receiver with CD cassette player. BTW, I have a significant collection of 60s and 70s Rock AND Country Western music.

Literally. its music to my ears, so is the sound of this 360 special edition engine.

And, today I ordered new shocks at Advance Auto Parts and asked them to test my battery and alternator. Battery half discharged and alternator failed test. I'm actually happy the alternator is bad as that explains the low voltage reading on my voltage gauge. Truck was literally running only on the battery. There are no dummy lights on this truck, so you HAVE to pay attention to the gauges. New alternator will be in with my shocks Monday. And my online account had 25% discount. Much better to have poor electrical performance be the alternator than my almost professional rewiring job.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Timd32]

ordered new shocks at Advance Auto Part

I got a set from there not too long ago for one of our cars the paint is already rusting a bit more then I would expect, I realize this truck won't see any sort of major weather, but if I had to do them again would scuff and paint them if they are mid-grade ones like mine were. Not that you need more things to add to the list.

 

[Wiredawg]

I got a set from there not too long ago for one of our cars the paint is already rusting a bit more then I would expect, I realize this truck won't see any sort of major weather, but if I had to do them again would scuff and paint them if they are mid-grade ones like mine were. Not that you need more things to add to the list.

They are Monroe Magnum yellow... I just MIGHT paint them red.

EDIT: Did you know Massey Fergusson Red is ALMOST the same shade as Bright Canyon Red?

Thanks for the idea.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

I got replacement alternator remanufactured in China... it froze up just spinning by hand. I decided to take it to a local shop that rebuilds them... no more Chinese crap! Got my new shocks, boxes covered with dust... might have been a while since they sold shocks for a 1978 truck. Tired and chilling out. Maybe tomorrow.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

My rebuilt alternator should be ready Friday. I guess I will be taking the dash apart again. While adjusting the temperature water valve for the heater, the cable apparently came unhooked from the temperature control lever. I also plugged the fasten seatbelts lamp into the fuel "something" lamp. also can't reach from underneath. I want to put a relay on the radio power lead that is operated by the 2nd accessory lead so the radio can play when the key is in the accessory position. The new fuse panel only had one accessory tap and the OEM had two. And, I can install a green LED in my voltage/vacuum gauge.

My son got his Master's degree and is flying in tomorrow and leaving Sunday, so no more work on the LRE until next week.

Ordered some GM metal windshield washer squirters.... $65 each for NOS Mopar is insane and the GM and Mopar are very close alike.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wayne M.]

CONGRATS! What’s the Master’s field?
If that’s the worst of the teething, I’d say you’re doing very well.

 

[HPSimpson]

Wow surgery on the new install Dash adding more taps to the fuse box, does the fuse box have a fuse that is for acessories? Those windshield wash deal that's big dollars for them.

 

[TFucili]

For $65 they should be for NOS... as in nitrous oxide

 

[Wiredawg]

Wow surgery on the new install Dash adding more taps to the fuse box, does the fuse box have a fuse that is for acessories? Those windshield wash deal that's big dollars for them.

Yep. I do have accessory on the fuse panel, but for to work like OEM, as you will notice, only your radio ad maybe 12V outlet when key is in accessory, the accessory out on the key when running operates the radio, windshield wipers, AC/blower, is what I have. If I didn't have the other needs to work on, I wouldn't bother. The amp and sub pull a lot of current to just run off the battery. In fact, the temperature cable is the only real reason I have to go back in the dash. The green LED is happy to glad. Having the seat belt lamp plugged into the wrong hole is bothersome to a type A.

I'm not unhappy with the results, though. Not bad the 2nd accessory the only wiring problem.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

CONGRATS! What’s the Master’s field?
If that’s the worst of the teething, I’d say you’re doing very well.

Health Education. He's currently a neonatal respiratory therapist in a children's hospital intensive care unit in Colorado Springs.

Very proud. Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

I replaced 3 shocks today, one of the front ones had only one washer, missing the second washer, two rubber bushings, and a nut. Advance getting me another shock tomorrow. Put the new alternator and HD voltage regulator. The truck voltmeter is showing almost 16VDC. Tomorrow, going to put my multi-meter on it at the battery with it running and see what's going on.

I ran new wiring for the dome light as I could not get continuity from the lamp fixture and a plug near the dash. Gonna tie it in tomorrow. I think I get these things done, I'm going to put the truck on jack stands, remove the wheels and inspect brake components. I should go ahead and check the front wheel bearings and repack them too whilst I have it up.

Cheers, Ron

 

[HPSimpson]

Now moving forward volt meter a seems a little something off, good ideal to check the wheel bearings and repack them you are doing real good job.

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

Seeing 15.35VDC at the battery with engine running. Thats about consistent with just inside the green and 16VDC mark on the OEM volt meter. Is that OK or too high?

Thanks, Ron

 

[brucejohnson]

Friends,

Seeing 15.35VDC at the battery with engine running. Thats about consistent with just inside the green and 16VDC mark on the OEM volt meter. Is that OK or too high?

Thanks, Ron

Ron,
How long after you started the truck did you take the reading? Have you load tested the battery? IIRC the ammeter used to run pretty high for quite a while before it would settle down in this series of trucks. Once the regulator detects fully charged condition it should kick down.

 

[HPSimpson]

The reading seems high after say five minutes does reading back off in the range just below 14 volts.

 

[Wayne M.]

It’s a bit on the high side, but what’s the battery SOC?

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

As I was idling a while voltage came down to the factory voltmeter would be around 14VDC. turned blower on high, headlights on, audio system on, and hit the 4 caddy horns and voltage still reading around 14VDC. Only missing loads are AC and wipers. AC at least needs charging and didn't want wipers operating dry.

Advance gave me hardware kit so final shock installed.

Battery is new AGM, which I got for 25% off at Advance Auto Parts.

Got a friend coming over for lunch, shoot some pool, and have a few beers. He's a serious Mopar head, got five, an old 64 Imperial one, a 50 something DeSoto, and don't recall the others.

Wished I could invite all of you over for brisket, beers, talk trucks, and old Mopars. I miss that from the days me and 6 others founded the Mason-Dixon Chapter of the TDR in Maryland. I was Secretary and Treasurer. Lots of fun until I had permanent change of station (PCS) to Del Rio TX.

Anyhoo, tomorrow gonna take truck to get transmission serviced and next front axle bearings repack.

I'm one REAL happy LRE owner.

Thanks and chat atcha tomorrow.

Cheers, Ron