Buying '78 Lil Red Express Truck

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

Found a 78 Lil Red Express Truck with recent frame off renovation. Still working transportation logistics.

I'll post after I get it.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wayne M.]

Excellent Ron!

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Drop a Cummins in it!

 

[Wayne M.]

Drop a Cummins in it!

Ohhhhh Nooooo! That’s supposed to have a A38 code 360 cop motor with a beautiful dual snorkel air cleaner. I see it’s got the stacks- should have nice short turbo style mufflers with a H pipe head pipe. One of the last Mopar “package cars”.

 

[DavidC]

I remember those when they hit the dealerships. I was a whopping 24 year old.

 

[GCroyle]

That's just plain cool. A gotta have it if there ever was.

 

[Wiredawg]

I remember seeing them AND the Warlocks and remembering how I would never be able to get one. I was an E3 in the Air Force stationed at Maxwell AFB, AL. I've been eyeballing them a while, but finally decided to jump on this. 4BL 360 modified police interceptor engine and no catalytic converters...the 79s I'm told had cats.

Anyhoo, can't wait to get it.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wayne M.]

Yes the Warlock was black n gold similar style, but basically a trim package you could get on any step side 150 with any powertrain. I knew of one that was a 440 engine W truck. The Lil Red was a performance package and IIRC was the fastest passenger vehicle- faster than a vette that year.

If any of you guys got close to Troy Simonsen at the rally, I’m sure he would be the authority. I’d love to have lunch with him.

 

[TFucili]

I was a die-hard Ferd guy at that time, but even then thought the LRE was the coolest thing around.

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

I've been torn over the past few weeks on what "toy" I wanted. I had been looking at first and 2nd Gen trucks, but decided to narrow down between a Rumble Bee and Lil Red Express Truck. I found this one with factory air, which is a have to for my old self in San Antonio TX. I found another one for the same money original with AC and bucket seats, but had 113,000 miles. I like the frame off renovation. Thought I'd post this too:

Pretty cool info.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

Yes the Warlock was black n gold similar style, but basically a trim package you could get on any step side 150 with any powertrain. I knew of one that was a 440 engine W truck. The Lil Red was a performance package and IIRC was the fastest passenger vehicle- faster than a vette that year.

If any of you guys got close to Troy Simonsen at the rally, I’m sure he would be the authority. I’d love to have lunch with him.

Wayne,

Now that I'm buying one, I've found some cool info. Here is info on the TWO that had factory 440s. I found one while looking, but it wasn't factory.

Cool, huh?

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wayne M.]

That’s cool. Where did you find that letter?!

 

[Wiredawg]

That’s cool. Where did you find that letter?!

Ratch here,
https://www.allpar.com/trucks/dodge/lil-red-truck.html

Enjoy, Ron

 

[Timd32]

If any of you guys got close to Troy Simonsen at the rally, I’m sure he would be the authority. I’d love to have lunch with him.

Was not familar with him so I Googled it,,, and this popped up,,,,, sounds like he did a lot of cool stuff had a full life. I'm sure its pretty neat helping bring stuff to market that has such an impact on so many in a positive way, pretty iconic rigs he helped put together.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...Vaw1hKgHSFizunoE-LITEJsSs&cshid=1565749421925

 

[Wayne M.]

Yes I realized that he’s recently passed away, very sad. Another one gone. I only brought him up because I know he was involved with last years TDR rally, and the pilot CTD trucks and development. I just know he was a fly on the wall at minimum for the Lil Red truck.

 

[jgillott]

Very nice Ron. Congratulations on the soon to be new toy.

 

[AH64ID]

That's a beauty... should be a fun toy.

 

[gsbrockman]

Friends,

Found a 78 Lil Red Express Truck with recent frame off renovation. Still working transportation logistics.

View attachment 114630 View attachment 114631

I'll post after I get it.

Cheers, Ron

I know this guy with his own operating authority......

 

[Wiredawg]

Got the truck late this evening. Shes a beauty. Gonna start changing fluids tomorrow and will get tags Monday.

I'll post pics later.

Cheers, Ron

 

[TFucili]

Congrats!