Like A Li’l Red Express, But… Less - 1979 Dodge D100

I bought another truck! This one is cool. It’s a ‘79 D100 that was bought new in California and spent most of its life there. It is very similar to a Li’l Red or a Warlock, with the same step side bed, bucket seats, and a V8 engine. Unlike most D series trucks around these parts, it’s rock solid (except for one weird spot in the roof.) The 318 is on the tired side, so my genius plan is to swap in a Magnum engine and finally document that process. Even as it is, it’s a pretty fun daily driver - and reasonably quiet and comfortable. I’m a fan.

[@derekstone355]

My little league coach when I was a kid had an express and a warlock and I was always more interested in the trucks than baseball.

[@MoparDen]

The 318's are just so good. Longevity is it's middle name!

[@DanBookemTaylor]

I had a 1976 Warlock back in 1987. Tailgate was gone. Just remember the green (I always hated Green) and the gold pinstrip. The frame was in such bad shape the steering box pulled 3 if the 4 bolts through while making a right turn. My first lesson on patching frames. Back then it was an old truck. Wish I'd kept it.

[@92powerdiesel61]

I snagged a 78' lil red about three years ago, absolutely worth the price I paid. I came to realize that the truck was more than just a 360 LA and some cosmetics when I started to learn about them. Hopefully one day you get the opportunity to drive one, it's truly a masterpiece of engineering.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I have driven one 🙂 having spent some time underneath it, I’m not sure they are all that different, aside from the extra poop they squeezed out of the E58 engine. But maybe I’m missing something. They’re definitely cool.

[@cbobmonster]

Had to go back and check out some early videos my 75 has exact same glove box problem it’s different 👍🏻👍🏻😂

[@moparnut6286]

Cool D100 😎

[@walkerm777]

I like it. I have a 1972 w200. My dad bought it new. It's red with black trim. The black was custom painted. Love it. It has 76k on it. A PTO winch. And the mind twister I had over 4000 lbs of scrap in it, and didn't even squat. Great truck.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I put 2000 pounds in my little W100 and it didn’t mind that. That sounds like an awesome truck. I have an extended cab long bed W100 now, which I would like to put a winch on and do some other things eventually.

[@alxf66]

Great score. My envy is real!

[@DangerDook]

Love the video man, keep being awesome! Glad it's gone to a good home.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’ll do my best!

[@briansignorelli7090]

Nice truck I have an 80 and 85

[@pablochavez9087]

Gorgeous Truck

[@amsburym]

Damn I'm getting jealous!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It’s right on the fence between a pile and awesome. It’s perfect

[@adama.2987]

I shall call it the eBay express

[@jlsracing997]

You did good. Personally don't care for the LRE mainly do to the stacks. Drop a 360 in this and it's way ahead in my book.

[@Cstoreri]

Thx Jamie

[@richardbates2367]

Cool my truck is a 2000 dodge ram Laramie slt longbed quad cab 4x4 with a magnum V8 318 and I love the 60's and 70's d and w series dodge trucks I had a 74 dodge d100 club cab long bed two tone mint green with a wood flatbed with black and red trim on the flatbed it was a adventurer trim truck

[@kellismith4329]

Thats a great looking truck I love the trucks of that era, sadly I have only owned chevs and fords but my buddy bought a little red brand new in 79 - I was extremely jealous but I needed to actually use my trucks for truck stuff Definitely a good candidate for a magnum - the factory little reds did not have cats

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

They didn’t in ‘78, but they did in ‘79.

[@Roosters_Restos]

This is more like a warlock and warlocks had the same interior and some had stacks and some not. Had one with a 440 in it. This truck is sweet. Some wood and paint call it done. You may want to address it's smoking problem smoking is bad for your health. I have a glove box door for ya. Oh I emailed ya but not sure I did it right. Waiting for my phone to ring so we can chat and you can get parts for a few of the mopar children.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Right, fair. Warlock got the pinstriping stuff. I’ve never seen one with stacks? That’s interesting. I wouldn’t paint the ‘79. I would like a decent engine though. Unfortunately it’s on the chopping block right now, if someone wants to actually show up and pay for it then it’ll move on. I don’t need a different Dodge truck for every day of the week… it’s time to let some things go again. I currently have four four speed A bodies too, so I’ve got that going for me. Haven’t seen an email yet (got one from Dan though.) Oh wait a second, they just came in. Off to do some light reading.

[@larryoberc5605]

I have a 1977 that looks identical to yours. Same paint. Front grill a little different.

[@blueduster74]

Gotta do the heater core in my Duster. Hate that smell.

[@jasonbennett9995]

Nice truck I have a 83 360 d150 see royal

[@jerryfarmer5989]

Nice '79 step side. I own a '79 Lil Red and another '79 D150 I bought the D150 cause it had the same interior as my Lil Red less the steering wheel. So basically it has the same interior of what you have, mine has the A/C still. Thing is part of the Lil Red was the Adventurer package. You could get a non Lil Red with the Adventurer package. A Lil Red, a real one is in the Vin. Mine is verified as a true '79 Lil Red. And yes it was illegal to own a Lil Red in California.

[@HDUG7up]

i have a 79 d100 close to lil red, had a 360 red original color, stepside, but has a std transmission and bench seat

[@HDUG7up]

and have the lil red wheels

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Nice. That’s awesome. I wish mine was a four speed. I don’t wish enough to change it, but it would be cool.

[@HDUG7up]

@@DeadDodgeGarage yes is cool have a 4 speed but in that year all 833 was an overdrive and in my case the rear end have a 2.71 thats to long and not for race

[@urielgarcia4567]

What size magnum engine? Excited for the build of Lil Red. Great content!!!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

5.2 is the plan. Might have to go for a 5.9. We’ll see…

[@kellismith4329]

There isn’t alot of difference in the two

[@BlindBatG34]

Have there been any updates on this truck? I did a search and YT wasn’t helpful.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I never did the Magnum swap, if that’s what you’re asking. I did recently do a Magnum wiring guide, but without a swap as an example. I sold the truck to Stage Zero Garage, who drove it home across the country to Wisconsin! There are a few videos up on their channel about it you can check out.

[@BlindBatG34]

@@DeadDodgeGarageMy step-grandfather drove a late '80s Ram and I'd love to find a clean'ish one to daily. I was hoping there was a part two where you went through the stuff necessary to make it daily'ish drivable. I like watching other people get bitten by new parts that don't work, looking like a coal miner trying to clean up rust/dirt/undercoating, having to improvise a one year only bracket that somone deleted years ago, etc. Basically all the stuff the "real car shows" don't ever film but we all experience. It's cathartic. I watched your recent Magnum wiring video. Thanks for that.

[@jonathanjesch8865]

I think Josh should look for a D100 since his 74 C10 burned. I know his fords are getting on his nerves. We have a 71 C10 Cheyenne with a 396 but not exactly good at all on gas mileage.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I definitely prefer the Dodge, but I’m also very biased there.

[@locotrucker46]

Where are the Dual Chrome Stacks that came on that truck?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

They didn’t. It’s /not/ a Li’l Red… but it wants to be one. It might get stacks some day.

[@locotrucker46]

@@DeadDodgeGarage oh ok

[@moparme2733]

I hapen to have the glove box you need in a light blus

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Noice! If you want to ship it to me send a picture and price to [e-mail]. Thanks!

[@1080sucks]

HEMI swap. You KNOW you want to.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Nah, dog!

[@BilgePump]

Nice truck. Those lil Red Trucks are dumb as hell.

[@Veterangarage]

Run 4 ounces of Lucas fuel system treatment.