1979 Dodge Lil' Red Express In Depth Review/Tour, Engine Specs, and History

[@abashal]

I owned and raced a 1979 lil red and I have to say that this was by far my favorite vehicle to drive around and the smoke coming off the stacks in the winter time was a cool site. I Embarrassed many camaros and mustangs with this truck, especially when I rebuilt the engine and put W2 heads and a 4:10 geared Dana 60 in the rear.

[@murmaider2]

I can't freggin believe that this thing is just sitting there behind some dealer. I hope someone bought it

[@theroaringbigblockchannel1294]

I would

[@williamboardman9476]

Check Phoenix Graffix for very involved decal and stripe kit ($$$),. to apply over good repaint, and interior replacement. Wood package, and chrome, correct 79 tires. Easy 30K to gain a 15-25K truck, looks Hopefully like 20 others in a row at Mopar show. Seen it, done it, sold it.

[@ryanmorrison3699]

It's still in good shape just a few replacement parts here and there and it's good

[@grandtheftautoboy3060]

trust me it needs a lot

[@doug9066]

I remember these Dodge trucks when growing up, I was 11 in 1978 .

[@brianpreston12]

I Had a 79. I made a lot of mustang and camaro guys mad. they couldn't believe they just had their asses drug by an old pickup.

[@johnnymula2305]

I had a 78 Lil Red express. They were great looking and fun to drive. Im surprised they havent really caught on with collectors.

[@tww9tw9]

Look like someone started restoring it. He or she must have given up when the motor shelled out on them. I would love to have the whole truck for myself.

[@kendrickevans301]

@koioo2 Well, one thing you have to realize is that it was the FASTEST TRUCK back then, not the fastest vehicle period. It was plenty of cars that were way faster than the express truck. The engine that came in the express truck (360 ci) couldn't touch today's modern GM 327 ci 5.3 liter v8. This engine has a little bit more of both HP and torque. I don't know about the express truck being faster than many v8 powered trucks today, but it would be in the same category as today's modern v8s.

[@19NUTZ66]

WOW! How did I miss this review!! I'm a HUGE Mopar fan... would LOVE this truck.

[@allenrodgers1908]

I would buy that truck in a heart beat!

[@lpoverdrive]

This is a sweet truck. you know kyle, everyone complains about gas mileage these days. but for the power and speed of the truck. i say it's all worth it.

[@williamboardman9476]

I found a 1978 (Single ROUND headlights)...turn signals in grille WERE designed to RAM AIR to dual snorkel air cleaner...up in upstate New York, so likely some rust, not visible. Slots, original spare, clean stacks, wood, decals. Couldn't convince father in law to buy as project for 1800 bucks. He was a fire chief, no less. Fastest production VEHICLE in 1978.

[@herofrombelow]

Great video. Such a special truck. Looks like its in really good shape for it's age, too bad it's not running though. I hope one day you'll be posting a video of it all fixed up like new!

[@UBBERTANKER]

I just bough a 2011 ram express basically a new version of this truck. It basically a base work truck with a 5.7 hemi, 20 inch rims, body color bumpers and dual exhaust. its got 390hp and you can get it for just over 20k a great value. You should totaly find one and review it.

[@fearnloathn]

this truck brings back memories... first car my dad got for me

[@shanepease1623]

This was my first vehicle,boy when i drove to school the first time everyone was late to class!!!

[@praiznhym4ever]

you done well on the tour.. as I rember this truch when it was on the rd. as i graduated hs. in 80.. it was a very fine machine. and it looks like it needs a lotta work to bring it up to it's full luster, but it has very good potential. thank's for posting J.T-n-Louisiana

[@orisonowaleon2456]

I have 9ne just like it. My first truck after high school . .worth the fixing up . .I did my over haul myself. . .

[@jamescarnell7157]

hi im carnell and i have im trying to restore looking some info if eney one has some ill be glad to here

[@dodgecrazy1970]

Sweet! Thanks Kyle I was waiting for this for so long!

[@charliesmitherman6709]

you make the best car review videos ever!!!!!!

[@dave11686]

What a beautiful old truck!

[@pittsburgh_.central]

I saw one of those dodge trucks up in Erie, PA on Friday July 3rd

[@Sheridantank]

Everyone complaining about him being a bit ruff opening the hood and such are ridiculous. The truck is not very well taken care of to begin with...

[@evanmcroberts5427]

Stuff like that I think is a little too much, yes you have to take care of a cars but things like proper hood opening/closing is too much. Come on, it's a truck in a junk yard I don't think it will matter if it's "incorrectly closed" once

[@ayden3810]

It's a rare piece of history that so happens to be a automobile. That's why they're angry, I've looked for one of these for a very long time and I found one near me out of complete luck. They're rare and special, and anyone that has tried to find one of these will get angry.

[@Cowboylikeme]

That was an awesome truck..... With a little TLC that one too could be awesome again!

[@rajin335]

hey kyle i have a question for you... where do u find all these classics because where i'm from you don't see many classic cars but keep up the good work kyle!!!!

[@gavingraham1731]

It could use some work, but it’s still a great truck.

[@mbtoocool]

Ahhh my cousin has one of these with about 50k on it, but its been sitting in her garage for 10-15years now and not run. I'll have to see if I can get some photos or a video of it, these are way cool!!!!!

[@johnwyatt27]

chrysler corporation pretty much owned the 70's with preformance i think...id like to see a review of a baracuda or a roadrunner. good review man!!!

[@chevy67292truckcst]

nice looking truck first time seeing one

[@kendrickevans301]

@1bentley4ever yep, you are right, the 360 sure is the 5.9 liter enigine. The 5.9 (360 ci) engine was offered in almost all chrysler made vehicles that had a standard v8.. The last vehicles chrysler put the 5.9 liter (360 ci) engine in was all the 2003 pickups and suvs that offeed v8. Sum of them are the dodge ram 03' dodge durango 03, the jeep grand cherroke 03' and many other v8 power vehicles. The 5.9 (360 ci) engine has since been put out of comision, and replaced with the 5.7 liter hemi v8.

[@mikeippolito7033]

my favorite subject in school was history : )

[@VACUUM_HISTORIAN]

Very interesting, I know where a Little Red is sitting at a dealer with several other old Dodge trucks and cars. Not in this good of condition. Very cool, I like these Dodges. I have some videos of a build for my 86' Ram

[@carlschoolcraft3944]

IGotYourBack ....i would like to see the video and find where there are old dodges sitting

[@stano008]

Major restoration!

[@brianeastman3547]

I'd love 2 give that one some tender loving care,replace the blown head gaskets as well

[@kendrickevans301]

@1bentley4ever I agree, but i also find that suvs have advantages over cars, just like cars have advantages over suvs, some of the advantages are in a suv, u have better protection in a car crash, more space in which you can carry both cargo and people, towing capability, although i leave the towing up to my f-series, so basically what i'm saying is a suv is sort of a one stop shop, you get space, cargo carrying, towing capability, and protection all in 1 package, something a car doesn't offer.

[@Dude13450]

Smoke stack style exhaust, i love those!!!

[@PetarVN]

It's because of the laws in the 70's/80's. The speed limit was 55, and to discourage people, gov't made it manditory for an 85 speedo.

[@kendrickevans301]

@infinity3jif yep. infact your right. Those a/c compressors had a lot of resistance on the pully, in turn making the engine have to work a hole lot harder.

[@themoparguy]

There was also another special offered at the time called the Warlock II. I know a guy who has one with 19,000 original miles. Unfortunately it just has the 318 c.i.

[@louisjackson9853]

I miss those frying pans in these classics vehicles back then my step grandfather had 78 Buick Lesabre

[@TJC450]

The show Trucks! on spike needs to pick this truck up!

[@69ChevroletNova]

Wow underneath tha Hood is clean unrestored NICE!!!!

[@Phils1029]

that truck just has to be restored

[@kendrickevans301]

@1bentley4ever cadillac and lincoln are 2 whole different car companies. Cadillac is made by GM ( general motors) and licoln is made by ford motor company ( ford lincoln, mercury), so off course cadillac and lincoln are going to have 2 completley different engines. But if a 360 is offered in a dodge cuda, it's going to be offered in the chrysler roadrunner (police car), and jeep wagoneer if you know what i mean.

[@kendrickevans301]

@stangkillinS10 because of regulations. I've worked for Ford Motor CO. and regulations stated at that time that all speedomometers where to have a limit of 85 mph to deter drives from going over that amount.

[@DuallyDieselFord]

paint's not too bad. Straight body, hate to see it rot

[@MrAcid125]

Not a bad dodge. I'm not the biggest dodge enthusiast but this set of wheels isn't bad at all.

[@chargermaster3716]

You don’t see Old vintage Dodge Pickups like you see Ford or GM pickups.

[@abashal]

@stangkillinS10 No, he's right on the specs, this truck did do high 14's in the quarter due to the horsepower, gearing and theroquad carb set up. It was in reality the fastest American made vehicle available in 1979 including the corvette which it out accelerated up to 100mph. After that, aerodynamics played a large role and slow the brick shaped truck down. The 85mph speedo was simply standard equipment for that time era. Remember, the speedo's don't really tell the story of the vehicle.

[@weegeemike]

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Ibanez5825]

You should restore it and show us progress on where it's at Ion restoration

[@ACEMIDNIGHT102]

I'll buy that too!

[@travislegard4335]

As a Mopar fan I must say this video is great. I must ask did somebody buy her and fix her up or is she still on the market?

[@martyhudgins2502]

He forgot to mention but those Wheels was the original Wheels but they come with Goodyear radial GT

[@yelena313]

hey kyle next time find a 1978 dodge lil red express truck and please pretty please find one that runs and drives and in a little bit better shape do a test drive of it to

[@themoparguy]

318 are dam good engines. I just prefer the 360. Besides, my dad's truck is a California truck and that thing is restricted on emissions big time. At least it was from factory.

[@Biztek764]

My grandpa actually had one when my aunt was 8

[@kendrickevans301]

@Greg9942 Your dates are wrong. It was actually from 1977-1990. I've worked for ford motor company, and that law wasn't federal, it was a law signed by the president at the time. ( international)

[@lilredexptsc]

My poor Li’l red has been sitting a while. Finally going to start getting her road worth again.

[@kevmiller6632]

Hi, I know this video was posted some time ago. However, is the Lil Red Express For Sale,? Thanks

[@killer505152]

My neighbor has a little red express just like this one!

[@kendrickevans301]

@Greg9942 No No No, what i meant by " a book of mines" was a book when i worked for ford motor company about laws and regulations, i still hadn't had a chance to look at it yet, but like i said, if i'm wrong about the dates i listed as the effective dates of the " speedo law", i will reply my apologies. I didn't mean LMC truck catalog lol.

[@tbzeking]

Start it up man !

[@FurbyFan-bx5bd]

He can't because it has a bad engine in it

[@mmz77]

I think the correct term for the armrest is a "buddy seat".

[@exilemike]

I want this truck.

[@kendrickevans301]

@Waltazhaar that car reminds me of the movie GONE IN 60 SECONDS.

[@koioo2]

thank you !!!!. 1,this ram truck or lil truck or did it fall under a ram truck ? was this truck in the army ???? when base closed manny of these truck sold cheap

[@startmoneymotorsports]

please tell me you've saved this truck by now!!!

[@kendrickevans301]

@1bentley4ever oh yeah, the cadillac cts is a very powerful luxury sedan with its 32valve northstar v8, and we make the mks, i just don't work at the same factory, i'm on the f-series pickup production line as "the marrige" manager, which is when the body and frame unite together. I love the cars you listed, bt like i said, i'm about BIG, so cars are not my thing, but if i had to choose, the mks would be my chose cuz off coarse, we make them lol.

[@williamboardman9476]

Lack of cat in exhaust system (you can see) is what allowed power for fastest in 78. Tom Hoover, "Father of Hemi" was part of design team on Express project. Wanted cold / ram air hoses via 78 parking light location. Àny and ALL interior options were available, limited exterior trim groups, per X press gold trim conflicts. Black leather, A/C, power windows, tilt column. . .spare was also chrome slot w/ Goodyear lettered tire. Dealer install slider rear window, factory tow package available (low cargo and tow rating). Excellent Fire Chief's vehicle. My father in law wouldn't buy 2 I found for him in NY and GA. $1800 right, Not this.

[@jeffreyserrato9462]

damn, this video makes me sad...

[@rickydyess8869]

Im looking for a 78 Warlock or Red Express. Rather have warlock. Decent rolling body is all i need. Got a 360/auto for one

[@dodgecrazy1970]

One of these is a prize at this years Moparfest here in Canada!, moparfest.ca

[@kendrickevans301]

@1bentley4ever Chrysler Motor Co ( MOPAR) did not have a 440 c.i. motor of any kind. The closest thing they had to a 440 was a 447 and it was not a police engine. It was a big block alternative besides the 383 super b v8 that was standard on the super b. It should've had a 360 ci police engine in it. But if it did have a 440, it was not a Chrysler engine.

[@iloverock6556]

those stacks are so fucking beautiful

[@FxOxC]

I dont like dodge but this truck is special and it was fast!!! =D

[@axelbent]

nice truck

[@domenicmaio8070]

Nice truck!! Can you do a test drive of the truck

[@newfoundrooski]

Domenic Maio can the truck be started?

[@wardog546]

For a truck this old, doesnt really look that bad. Just some fixes, replacements, etc and it will be good as new

[@justinquack7748]

I have some questions about the truck. I have one more here and am currently in the process of bringing him to Vorderman, but I am still missing a few measures can you help me?

[@kendrickevans301]

@1bentley4ever I really don't know anything about Blues Brothers, but if you know the year of the car, i can tell you what police engine it had in it, do you know what year the car is?

[@MrMacrun]

very special truck.

[@koioo2]

@datboiwes3 when base closed down these trucks where all sold.don t know if these what army was using was a D version

[@rhigh100]

from what i've seen about these trucks one in good cond. is worth a little money.

[@kendrickevans301]

@1bentley4ever Thanks, i just realized i spelled "espedition" wrong, it was suppose to be expedition lol, but thanks anyway, i love ford, wouldn't have anything else, my wife wanted the infiniti, so what mama wants, mama gets, but i don't drive it, i stick with my fords.

[@kendrickevans301]

@Goldenrod636 No, That's his back lot.

[@jeeptjxwrangler1088]

Did anyone ever buy this truck?

[@RockyFoxxowo]

I have both doubts and hopes

[@ThatCarGuy2]

Wow niiice!

[@speacialperson12345]

please do a video of a Volkswagen GTI mk4 and mk5. ive seen your video of the mk6, but i would really like if you could find an mk4 or an mk5 Thanks

[@kendrickevans301]

@1bentley4ever You must have a bentley? I have a ford f-250 king ranch diesel, ford espedition king ranch 4x4, and infiniti QX56!

[@naterade21]

awe the poor thing :(

[@kendrickevans301]

@alphamongrel You have a broncos. I have a 1993 model and they are good offroader with it's "shift on the fly" 2 speed transfer case. I love bronos. Tell me more about it.

[@kendrickevans301]

@Greg9942 I don't remember any of the cars you listed having a speedo over 85 mph. I'm not saying your wrong. The USA pesident at the time signed the law meaning it is international ( in that specific country) or it might be nationwide. All i know is that it is not federal. I'm going to look at a old book of mines to look up this issue. If i'm wrong, i'll reply my apoligies. But i'm pretty sure i'm on the right track.

[@davidenobile426]

Who the fuck leaves the great Lil Red Express sitting and rotting like that?!?!?

[@benhall8946]

fix the dam thang

[@theroaringbigblockchannel1294]

Yeah

[@zanjani13]

that is sweet man. i got a video of one too can i attach to this one?

[@sovandarachristoperhuynh6193]

Do the tow truck next

[@HELLCOMESTOTOWN]

Answered 4m mark. 78 headlight's looked so much better

[@kendrickevans301]

@1bentley4ever i agree, the ford fuzion is pretty nice, bu ti just don't like CARS, hell i don't like anything 2WD for cryin out loud. I love riding big, it makes me feel like a big machoe sitting up high with the 18 wheelers with my 3.5 in skyjacker lift on my f-series. I also like ford's aewsome auto trac 4WD system that engages automaticaly when the going gets tough. But i still have 4HI and 4LO. So me being a big roller, i car just doesn't suit my needs.

[@kendrickevans301]

@1bentley4ever Yep, but i can harp on this many times, i don't care how much gas rises, i'm gonig to always drive a suv or pickup. When you have a suv or pickup, you don't are how it rides or handles, as long as you don't have " interstate wobble", which is were your tires need balancing or something, they ride pretty good. If you don't think about fuel economy or ride quality, suvs and pickups have all the advantage over cars. but to answer your quetion, yes i do like the MKX, very nice car.

[@ericfowler4248]

I wish that I would been the owner of that truck. And seen you making this video. You think you could hit it harder next time?