1979 Dodge D150 Lil' Red Express Truck

Description

1979 Dodge Lil' Red Express We'all start from the frame up... I completely disassembled the truck down to be bare frame. The frame and suspension has been sandblasted and painted with Eastwood's Chassis Black Restoration Kit. All factory markings visible on the frame at time of disassembly have been duplicated. The rear end was cleaned and painted Eastwood's Spray Gray. The rear end has not been rebuilt. It is the original 9 1/4" 3.55 Sure-Grip. The clutches are worn. An additional 9 1/4" 3.23 Sure Grip rear can go with. I installed new wheel cylinders and rebuilt the drum brakes. The drums had plenty of meat left, so they were turned and painted cast gray. I have new Energy Suspension poly leaf spring bushings yet to be installed. The axle has been flipped to above the springs for a 6"'drop. The rear brakes have all new hardliners and hoses. The front suspension has been blasted and repainted. All four control arms are brand new and the suspension was rebuilt with a PST suspension kit. The rotors, wheel bearings, calipers, pads, and lines from the proportion valve are all new. The front suspension is lowered about 4". I have added a hidden 2" hitch receiver between the frame rails, so it is truly hidden behind the license plate, and the license plate is removed for access. I have not wired for trailer lights, but have the kit. The truck is currently running a rebuilt 1979 360 of unknown spec and 727 transmission from a wrecked Volare project. The engine has a recent tune up with all new belts, hoses, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, radiator, and 600 CFM Edelbrock. It runs well, but tends to get warm on really hot days. I'm not sure if it needs a flush or if it's timing. The Lil' Red chrome dual snorkel air cleaner and chrome valve covers are present and I have the intake tubes to go with. The air cleaner lid could use rechroming. I run it with the lid upside down for better air flow. The exhaust is 2.5" all the way through with Flowmaster 40s and new Tennessee tips, which are extremely close to be missing originals. No one would know the difference except for the most hard-core LRT fanatic. The stack shields are in pretty good shape with a couple small dings that can be fixed. There is a 6" action of flex pipe on each side after the h-pipe to allow for flex. I have new u-joints to go with, but they aren't needed yet. The grill is in good condition as is the front bumper. The rear bumper was really bad, and has been narrowed and tucked to see how it would look. The glass is all good except for one rock chip in the windshield. It has standard rear glass, and a sliding window goes with it. I like patina and rust, so the body has been left alone, other than replacement rust-free front inner and outer fenders. I painted them and weathered them to match the rest of the paint. The lower door skins have some rust as do he rockers. There is some rust in the floor where your heels sit. The bed has a small amount of rust, mostly on the inside flange, and replacements are now available. A couple skids strips are in rough shape, but again, new ones are available on the market. The wood ismall original and weathered. The tailgate roll is very rusty, but a better one goes with. The front bed panel has a lip for a tonneau cover and a really nice one goes with. There are buttons on one box side for the tonneau. The other box side is from a different LRT. I had a rusty box and a nicer one, so the box is assembled from two. It has the less common red on red bench interior. The seat was covered most of its life, so it is pretty good, with just a little cracking on the driver's side and one 1/2" tear. The carpet has been replaced with an Auto Custom Carpet kit. The accelerator pedal was broken and reproductions aren't available, so I just run it with the curves metal rod. Works just fine and adds character! I added an original tach, but it doesn't work. Just looks nice in the dash. The dash is in great shape as is the crack-prone glove box door. It has about 3000 miles since assembly. It has 275 width BFGs and Cragar 441 15 x 8 wheels. They are slotted and very similar to the original LRT Western Slots. 5 original wheels go with and all need new chrome. The truck isn't perfect, but it's a lot of fun and gets attention. The stance is great and looks tough, but can be easily changed back to factory ride height of desired. Before this summer, I've been using it as a summer daily driver and took it on a couple of 100-200 mile trips including the end of Power Tour a couple years ago. I e tried to be entirely fair and honest in the description and will add more if I think of anything. Truck is being sold as-is, where-is without warrantee. Somewhat local delivery can be arranged. Buyer is responsible for any shipping costs. $500 deposit is due within 48 hours of auction close via PayPal or in person with the balance due when the truck is picked up.