Buying '78 Lil Red Express Truck

[DavidC]

Never had the window unglue, usually the plastic rollers breaking,

 

[Wiredawg]

Yep, nothing like 42YO stuff letting loose. I was not a happy camper. the rollers were good. go figger.

And I've got to let that glue set, put the channel back in, line up the glass, set it in and let it set. no fun. til im done

 

[HPSimpson]

I was under the impression Ron. you are going to take a cruise in the '78 Lil Red Express truck, next thing I see is your breaking the right front window. Well since you are off the rails, mite as well check drivers seat (ops) window!

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Hmmm - never saw the gears strip - normally just the plastic rollers breaking. Glad you found the whole assembly - where did you get it from?

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

Window goes up and down great, except it goes down too far, stop doesn't seem to stop, and top roller guide comes out of track. Just wondering if any of y'all know what the problem is? FSM no help at all.

thought I'd ask before perform field engineering mod and insert my own stop with a small screw.

EDIT: Never mind... field engineering window riser mechanism change 1.0 aux stop implemented.

Thanks a bunch, Ron

 

[brucejohnson]

Friends,

Window goes up and down great, except it goes down too far, stop doesn't seem to stop, and top roller guide comes out of track. Just wondering if any of y'all know what the problem is? FSM no help at all.

thought I'd ask before perform field engineering mod and insert my own stop with a small screw.

Thanks a bunch, Ron

Is there an adjustable or solid rubber stop in the bottom of the door cavity to limit the downward window travel? I seem to remember something way back from my 75 Power Wagon or 76 Ramcharger. Maybe a rotational position adjustment in the mounting of the mechanism? I can remember having to bend or slide something to compensate for the travel issue. Your window was remounted in the same fore/aft position in the mount?

 

[HPSimpson]

I think you will have to do surgery on rail or as you say engineering modification in the field, good luck should be easier. Some older units had stop mounted in the rail that could be moved.

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

Thanks for the quick response.... wished I was more patient to hear the answers and I'm guessing your right about stops in the window slide guides, wrestling this bear getting old mechanism out mighta caused them to move. Gonna take driver's side panel off to tighten armrest cushion, so might just check.

Thanks again and cheers, Ron

 

[HPSimpson]

Ron, What is the status on the right window, were you able to reinstall said window mechanism, window stop you field engineering id working.

 

[HPSimpson]

Wait a minute i forgot you were going to work on the left panel to tighten the arm rest and look at the window crank assemble?

 

[mwilson]

Ron,

Just in case your LRE is almost finished...here are four more..

https://barnfinds.com/collection-of-1979-dodge-lil-red-express-trucks/

 

[Wiredawg]

Homer,

Pax side all back together and working great. I changed my mind on taking driver's side apart for now. Doing honey doos.

 

[HPSimpson]

Ron, Yes glad to here was able to repair did have to move the stop or did manufacturer your own, yes honey do items way more important!

 

[Wiredawg]

Homer,

The pic I posted above is my mod with 1/2" self tapping screw as the stop. Poifect mod

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

Been busy last couple days beatings crushed truck toolbox back into shape, getting the lid square, and the latches working, then installing into the LRE bed.

The back and bottom had to be beaten back into shape.

And, I brushed on a coat of marine spar varnish on the wood. I'm real happy with the result.

Added the Dodge decal too.

Cheers, Ron

 

[HPSimpson]

Wow Ron, I would be scare to walk in truck bed get it dirty! Sure looks great another outstanding Job!

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Looks Great!

Ok - now for a short rabbit trail.... I see you have the "top side" creaper. Do you like it? Drawbacks of it?? Is it easy to adjust the height or is it a fixed height? Been considering getting one.

 

[Wiredawg]

Looks Great!

Ok - now for a short rabbit trail.... I see you have the "top side" creaper. Do you like it? Drawbacks of it?? Is it easy to adjust the height or is it a fixed height? Been considering getting one.

Dan,

I love it... no drawbacks.... adjustments very easy. adjusts great for the LRE and the 5500.

One of the best tools I have.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Cummins12V98]

Really nice Ron!!!

 

[Wiredawg]

Thanks all for the compliments. Thought I'd mention how the toolbox got crushed... The front landing gear on my Mobile Suites let go one night and I had placed it under the RV upsidedown awaiting installation onto the 5500 truck bed. So, found it the next day, decided to keep it for scrap, and ordered another one. Last week, decided I need a small toolbox to carry a few tools and FSMs. I thought about that toolbox and spent a few hours beating it back into shape with a 4lb rubber mallet and channel lock pliers. Took about 3 hours to get the latches to work. Cant see but two little dents now. I bought four 6" L brackets at Home Depot and used existing barrel bolts to attach them to the bed. I put double sided molding tape on the L brackets first so as to not scratch the bed paint. I painted the brackets red, so toolbox almost looks like its floating.

Anhoo, like my bud, Paul Harvey used to say..."and that's the REST OF THE STORY."

Cheers, Ron