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Forum > Trucks and Off Roaders > 1978 & 1979 Dodge Ram Li'l Red Express Duo

1978 & 1979 Dodge Ram Li'l Red Express Duo
Tumbler75 The Michelangelo Of Plastic 1,724 posts August 16, 2008 12:46 pm		1978 & 1979 Dodge Ram Li'l Red Express Duo Ok I'm gonna catch you guys up to speed on this project and maybe I can get them back out soon once I find the correct flooring for the bed. I started with a pair of 1978 Dodge LRE's and I've always loved these trucks. So I figured I'd hunt down something or someone who could help me do a conversion on one to a 1979 model. Got a resin transkit off Ebay that took for-bloody-ever to get and I got to work correcting these trucks. Well things snowballed and got out of hand and here is where I am now. I'm such a glutton for punishment! The truck that started it all. The body work is where I began. I didn't like the guttering, door handles, etc. etc. So I started out to replace them with something a bit more convincing than a bump/line on the edge of the cab. [ Return to Top | Get URL ]
Tumbler75 The Michelangelo Of Plastic 1,724 posts August 16, 2008 12:51 pm		Then I worked on the beds I looked at reference pics and they showed a HUGE flaw that AMT overlooked, THE BED RAILS! So those had to be corrected. Styrene tubing was glued to the bed and the gap filled with bondo. Next came the interior tubs. I didn't like the stationary middle seat/armrest so that had to go and be fixed. I made out of the armrest and styrene an opening compartment armrest on one. The other is going to be the elusive cup holder/compartment middle seatback (Only available on 1979 models). [ Return to Top | Get URL ]
Tumbler75 The Michelangelo Of Plastic 1,724 posts August 16, 2008 01:00 pm		Then the Engine work began! I didn't like the engine in the kit cause it was ALL WRONG! It's a 383 motor and these trucks had 360's. SO again I set out to correct this goof! I started with 1971 Dodge Charger engines and converted them to 360's with the distributor in the rear. These engines such better mold and detail quality over the LRE's engine. Using the oil pan from the LRE kit the motor fit down in the frame perfectly!! Then finally the conversion kit came in!! So I got to work mocking, installing, and fitting them to the truck. Then I didn't like the look of either grill being closed up. So I spent 4 DAYS(!!!!! ) on opening up the resin grill and 45 minutes on the 78's grill. Here you can see where I drilled out the headlights and replaced them with some more appropriate units as well. New and Improved on top, Stock on bottom. LRE28.jpg (file too large, 204.72 kilobytes, click to view) [ Return to Top | Get URL ]
moggy 3,056 posts August 16, 2008 01:01 pm		Looking good Jason, looks like you'll have a couple of accurate models there when you've finished. [ Return to Top | Get URL ]
redneckrocker99 AM's resident junk master! 582 posts August 16, 2008 01:06 pm		stunning detail. I would be in the nut house already...lol. 4 DAYS on the resin grille????!!! yup, I would definitely be in the nut house. great work on the details, can't wait to see the truck beds when your done with them. [ Return to Top | Get URL ]
Tumbler75 The Michelangelo Of Plastic 1,724 posts August 16, 2008 01:08 pm		Then I primered the cabs. I primered them in Red Oxide to make the Red paint stand up a bit more. I got the factory red for both years even tho on test strips you can't tell a difference at all. LRE33.jpg (file too large, 199.22 kilobytes, click to view) The frame and bed wood was just eating at my nerves so out came the dremel and I started hacking like mad! Now I gotta find some decent thin wood sheets to make the new beds out of. Looking at the kit wheels, let's be honest, THEY SUCK! They are TOO Small and look horrible! So I found some tires out of a couple of Revell/Monogram kits that fit the rims perfectly! I also noticed that the rear is too HIGH. I cut 1 scale inch between the mounting block and the spring to lower the rear down. I'll be drilling out the rims. So this catches up to speed. Maybe I can break these out before summer is over and get everything ready for a nice glossy coat of red paint. ENJOY!! [ Return to Top | Get URL ]
ROADHOGG55 460 posts August 16, 2008 03:38 pm		Looks great!!! [ Return to Top | Get URL ]
Bucky posting away at 11.4583% 8,556 posts August 16, 2008 05:38 pm		Cool project, tumbler! The 78 had big and little wheels and tires. The back wheels were wider than the fronts. The 79 had the wider wheels all around. None of the LRE trucks had four speed transmissions, therefore, the hole in the floor isn't necessary. Also, the 79 had catalytic converters in the exhaust, the 78 did not. The rear side marker lights were in different places on each year model, but I can't remember which one had which light where.(HUH?) I had a 78 LRE when they were new. I drove it out of the showroom myself. Traded a 77 Dodge Aspen with T-bar roof for it. Here is a link to check out: home.att.net/~lilredexpress/ [ Return to Top | Get URL ]
moparmania74 Dodge is number one. 357 posts August 16, 2008 06:29 pm		really really great job man i like it. If any one says overkill just say no. someday i will have to take it out for a road test. lol But hey keep up the great job [ Return to Top | Get URL ]
theflame I ♥ Model Cars 18,360 posts August 17, 2008 11:33 am		What a great project Tumbler! I love it! These WIPs are exactly the kind of thing that I enjoy checking out, sooo coool. Great work bud, keep it up! [ Return to Top | Get URL ]
alfa_owner AM`s ebay bargain hunter :0) 2,476 posts September 15, 2008 05:21 pm		Hows it going with this one tumbler? Ive often thought about getting started on my Lil kit, but reading about all the flaws maybe i wont how does it build up, usual amt truck kit? [ Return to Top | Get URL ]
Tumbler75 The Michelangelo Of Plastic 1,724 posts September 16, 2008 03:52 am		As for my test truck, the kit built up rather well. Bed was a tad fiddly and the pins on the tailgate are very weak. Fit and finish turns out rather well. It's not anywhere near accurate to make it a proper LRE truck. Exhaust pipes are hard to mount as well. [ Return to Top | Get URL ]
theflame I ♥ Model Cars 18,360 posts September 22, 2008 12:42 pm		Keep at it bro, this one's well worth working at I reckon [ Return to Top | Get URL ]

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