Cindy and I are the proud new owners of this beautifully restored 1979 Dodge Lil Red Express Truck. Working to relocate it from Iowa to it's new home in sunny Key Largo FL. A whole NEW obsession! / Another club to join! / New people to meet and new places to go! / Lil Red Express Truck Get-To-Gethers starting with the 21st Annual Lil Red Express Club Reunion Meet June 9th thru June 12th in Newport News VA! / YEAH!

LIL RED EXPRESS TRUCK Slideshow by LuxLimoMan | Photobucket

 

Congrats on this acquisition! Truck looks to be in concourse condition! Should be a real "head turner" wherever you take it! Truly a collector item!

Later,

 

Red Dog
I bought a new 1978 Lil Red Express with a sticker price of $6,000, which seemed really high at the time! The '78 model ran on leaded fuel, since it did not have the cats from the factory. They added the smog components in 1979.
Your truck looks like a rest mod, due to several changes made to the stock appearance, like the odd exhaust system of the stacks and dual exhausts existing at the rear of the custom bumper. What motor is in it, definitely modified.
there are several that show up at the Chrysler National show at Carlisle every year. I sold mine in 1983, and never saw it again.
Good luck with your new toy!
Dennis
DTMenace

 

Hi Dennis, Yes it has some modifications . . . definitely not restored to stock. We bought it to drive it / not as a show truck. Here's a link to the original E-bay listing with more specific information about the truck . . . When I get the truck here I'll look at that exhaust system. Thinking I'll do something to run it back through those "stacks". After all, THAT'S one of the main features / attractions of the Lil Red Express Truck.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141991921522?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Best regards,
Bob Davis (Red Dog)

 

The 1979 Lil Red Express Truck was delivered to us on Saturday. I had the exhaust system re-done yesterday with Flowmaster mufflers and routed back up through the vertical exhaust stacks. WOW! A nice rumble when you are being gentle and cruising but it REALLY SOUNDS OFF when you "get on it". Fun Fun Fun . . .

Packed up / Loaded up / Heading out at 4:00 AM to Newport News VA attending the 21st Annual Lil Red Express Truck Owners Reunion . . . Looking forward to meeting new friends and learning more about these beasts!
YEAH!

DCP_5607_zpsfnrfbrjm.jpg

 

Travel Safe

 

~ very cool ... I always liked as a kid. congrats!

 

We took home two trophies . . . 1st place Lil Red Express Truck (modified) and longest distance traveled. We had a great time and met some great people . . .



Some of the trucks lined up at the local Sonic . . . (Sonic photos courtesy of Darren Nickerson - Darren has two trucks . . one has a VIPER V-10 engine & six speed manual transmission!)

 

Congratulations !!!!!!

 

Which ones yours ? Congrats

 

I see one with 4 headlights and one with just 2, how many model years were these sold ?

Nevermind, Google answered my question : '78 & '79

 

The Lil Red Express was only produced in 1978 and 1979. Among other model year changes, the 1978s had the single round headlights and the 1979s had the quad rectangular headlights. Our truck was not at the Sonic that evening when those photos were taken (we went to dinner at another local restaurant). Here is a link to a slideshow of photos of our truck (photos taken by the seller from whom we purchased the truck) . . .

http://s33.photobucket.com/…/sl…/LIL%20RED%20EXPRESS%20TRUCK

As soon as we took delivery of the truck I immediately had those "out the rear" exhausts removed and routed the exhaust back up through the vertical stacks the way it should be!

 

I have edited the previous post to answer questions and provide additional information / photos about our Lil Red Express Truck. THANKS for your interest . . .

 

What's that blurb about "exhaust run to rear to protect the wood in the bed" ?
Is it gonna damage the wood with it routed back to the stacks now ?

 

I think he was probably referring to the wood trim on the sides of the bed near the vertical exhaust stacks. Unfortunately that previous owner (the one who did the restoration) has passed away. Personally I think he didn't like the loud exhausts from the vertical stack so he had that BS out the back exhaust system installed. Those exhaust stacks surrounded with their stainless steel heat shields do not get hot enough and are not close enough to affect the wood trim on the bed.

 

Congrats on your awards from your first showing of the truck. It really is a good looking restoration.


Later,

 

Well, alrightey then .......

 

That is a handy sized little truck, it's a pity you are so far away as I want some gravel picked up for a path I'm making.


Very nice, looks good.