1979 Dodge Lil Red Express Truck Restoration

[75slant6]

Just finished reading through the thread. Looking forward to more updates!

 

[jumbreit]

A surprise, unforecasted storm came through and blew over my hood that I just had leaning against the truck.

I could try to repair it but I knew there was a clean hood at the local yard so I tossed that on for $50.

I have the doors, fenders and hood aligned which has been bothering me for a year now since I just tossed everything on in a rush.

Im much happier with the oem fenders than the Chinese ones. Maybe it’s just psychological but they look more solid for one.

 

[jumbreit]

BONUS! The house next to me is between renters for awhile and I was given permission to use it to paint the truck! Gonna cover everything of course and I’ve got a stack of LED lamps to mount. Also going to have to pull that door opener.

 

[Basketcase]

sucks about the hood. Too bad they didn't have a Bird Bath. I put an LMC fender on mine when the drunk hit me, not bad except where the windshield piller area is. But I hope to back date it with '70s sheet metal on it.

 

[jumbreit]

DONE!

 

[Polara_500]

Sweetness!!

 

[Basketcase]

SWEET!!!!!! Now that is just fandamtastic!!!! My High School's Football Team was known as the Red Knights.

 

[Fabcon]

VERY COOL

 

[LocuMob]

That's bad ass!

 

[kiwigtx]

Outstanding. Well done.

 

[65 sporty]

Now all that's left is to enjoy it.

 

[jumbreit]

Thanks all for following! Yes I’m sure going to be enjoying the truck and hitting this summers shows!!

 

[MoparsOnly]

I'm late to the party as usual but that Is really nice truck and really nice job. I do have a question how hard was the dashboard install. It being from a 77 and the cab was an 86. I'd like to put that style dash In my build.

 

[jumbreit]

I'm late to the party as usual but that Is really nice truck and really nice job. I do have a question how hard was the dashboard install. It being from a 77 and the cab was an 86. I'd like to put that style dash In my build.

It fits fine, just the bracket holes on the lower ends don’t line up so I’ll need to work with that.

 

[jumbreit]

Now all that's left is to enjoy it.

I am!! And now that all the doors are aligned and sealed and everything is fully bolted down tight it’s so solid and quiet!

 

[Basketcase]

It fits fine, just the bracket holes on the lower ends don’t line up so I’ll need to work with that.

One the list for mine someday...'70s dash in my '81 along with '70s sheetmetal, Lil Red Stacks, etc...

 

[jumbreit]

Added some pinstriping to the fenders. Kept it minimal with a single thin painted stripe

 

[jumbreit]

I found out I had my center link flipped. The truck would push at low speed and had terrible turning radius.

Someone on Facebook had the same issue and this was his problem…and mine.

wrong

Correct

 

[Basketcase]

looks great!

 

[bigds65]

My 1979 Lil Red Express. I've been working on it for about the last year and a half. I've been trying to find some new outer axle seals for the rear end they are not available at local part stores. They measure 2.250 OD x 1.625 ID x.25 width witch equals 2 1/4"x1 5/8"x 1/4". Is there anyone that could help with part #s or info?

Thanks Don Taylor