(first posted 2/23/2012) Most truck enthusiasts have undoubtedly heard of and perhaps seen the original Dodge Li’l Red Express sold in 1978 and 1979. Maybe a number of folks have heard of the Warlock or the Dude trucks. The earlier Sweptline trucks even have a niche following. Dodge seems to have a bit of history with special edition trucks. But what about the Dakota Li’l Red Express?
The iconic red paint and a semi-truck style exhaust stacks of the original are hard to miss. One of the big attractions was a healthy 360cid V8 engine that was mostly unencumbered by exhaust regulations, at least for 1978. It raised the profile of the D-series trucks in a way that the early Warlock had not.
It was a welcome relief from the smog equipment chocked “performance” cars of the late 70s. A 1978 Corvette made all of 185 horsepower unless you happened to live in California and then you received 10 less. By comparison, the Li’l Red Express made 225 horsepower with the help of a more aggressive cam and many police duty parts such as the four barrel carburetor.
It exploited a loop hole in the emissions regulations for vehicles over 5000lbs not being required to run a catalytic convertor. The Li’l Red Express was actually the fastest accelerating car that Car and Driver tested in 1978. For 1979 some changes like the dual stacked headlights and a catalytic convertor were brought in but it was again a strong performer. Sales were up but 1979 would be the last year as another gas scare brought an end to the fun.
A little over ten years later someone must have figured there was enough pent up nostalgia to have another go. The Dakota based one isn’t quite the performance stand out its predecessor was (relative to everything else) but certainly is not a slug either with most being equipped with a 5.2L V8 in a lighter, smaller package. It was possible to get a V6 as well. The 1992 V8 models have the best performance with the introduction of the Magnum engine. The Li’l Red Express Dakota bits were produced by LER Industries of Edwardsburg and sold as a dealer option for 1990-1992. LER Industries started life in 1975 in the conversion van craze of the 70s then moved onto RVs after that. They don’t seem to be with us any longer.
The conversion included special step-side box, (non-functional) exhaust stacks and decals. The inner box was constructed from galvaneel (thin, galvanized steel) with the fenders made from fiberglass. Unfortunately the box doesn’t have the wood panel accents like the 70s version. Production numbers are most often quoted as thirty two or occasionally thirty eight but that seems to be for 1992 only which was the lowest volume year. The consensus seems to be that the 1992 production was really just using up left over parts from the previous year. Either way total production is much less than the 7306 of the D-series based one.
The 1992 examples have a numbered plaque mounted on the dash. I grabbed this photo (as well as the engine and interior shots above) from an For Sale ad.
There was also a Dakota Warrior which was inspired by the Warlock using the same step-side box but this time without the special exhaust pipes.
This is the only article I could find about them.
A few home made replicas have been made with reproduction emblems but the genuine article should say Li’l Red Express Dakota not just Li’l Red Express Truck. The bed was available separately so there might be a few step-side box Dakotas kicking around.
Related: CC 1979 Dodge Lil’ Red Express
I must confess, when we lived in St. Louis (Florissant), there was a Dodge dealer right near our home and I have never seen one of these. The original Express – they were all over the place and I loved them because that’s what a pickup truck SHOULD look like.
Now I did see lots of Dakota convertibles, however – that’s when Lido cut the tops off almost everything Chrysler built and I loved that – so did wifey, as we’re convertible people.
The convertible was built in larger numbers – something just under 4000.
I’m sure someone must have done one of the convertibles with exhaust stacks?
I bought a 1989 Dakota Sport convertible, I think Dodge and the dealer installed
every option that fit, the dealer tried to charge me for the Diamond glaze paint protectant and the vinyl bed cover. It is amazing how fast the salesman can run
to your car when you really do walk out over bs dealer options. It was a good truck, although ASC could have been a lot better in the top seals, lots of wind noise and don’t ever think about an automatic car wash.
you would not be able to put the top down with the stacks, they’re right behind the cab.
Never understood why somebody would want any vehicle with a decal as big as that on the door.
Exactly. I can understand if you’re a tradesperson or contractor, and the decal has the name of your business. ?
I still remember the screaming tagline in Car and Driver (or was it Motor Trend?) when the Dakota became available with the Magnum V8. “MORE TORQUE THAN A MUSTANG GT!”
And just as much power. Sadly, the hot 5.2 only lasted 2 years…by 1994, though ratings were unchanged, real-world power was down probably 20HP, due to smaller exhaust manifolds and a very-restrictive exhaust system.
I recall reading the Car and Diver article about the Groovy Dodge hi-po truck.
I do not recall it in entirety.
Did it out-perform the Corvette of that year in the 1/4 mile?
Or was that the 454-equipped Chevy pick-up at sometime along the line?
Just curious.
I would rather slaver over a 340-equipped Duster or Dart or Demon.
Remember folks, hire a Baby Boomer so you can laugh at them as they labor at a low-paying no-benefits offered drudge-like job.
And record their scrounging through the dumpster for vittles.
They are solely responsible for today’s economic woes.
Have a nice day!!!!
Are you thinking of the 454 SS of the early 90s?
http://www.454ss.com/Articles_new/GENINFO.asp
This isn’t the first time it was said that the ’78 Li’l Red Express was the fastest production vehicle that year.
Those first catalytic converters were like a “pick your poison” for vehicles of that day. Would you choose the 1974 model with nine miles of vacuum hose connecting little anti-pollution doodads all over the engine compartment…or the 1975 model where most models found the spaghetti and sensors replaced with a catalytic converter?
Either way you’re losing power and fuel efficiency.
We don’t think about this so much today as cat designs have become far more efficient and engines are designed from scratch to work with pollution controls.
Back then it was reallllly bad.
So when a vehicle showed up without those encumbrances, it could really shine in contrast.
BTW in those days I don’t think GM offered the 454 in anything below the one-ton models. I think light trucks still had to meet emissions standards, it’s just that the standards for trucks were much more lenient…the Dodge may have been clean enough to meet those standards w/o a converter. Maybe GM’s 350 models weren’t…
Gee, Chas. Coming of age in California in the mid-late ’70’s we had the miles of spaghetti connecting all those doo-dads AND catalysts. On restricted engine/transmission choices. Don’t beleive I ever saw a Little Red Express new in Calif. in the day, but DID see Warlocks ca. ’77 and ’78. Usually 318’s.
Cal. ‘Vettes beginning in ’75 were restricted to the L48 and by ’76, automatic only. 1980 and 81 Calif. Vettes had a 150-165 NET 305 4bbl (throttle cross fire was n/a in Calif.). Sad times for new car buyers in the Golden State in the malaise era.
In the late ’70s, in Calif. you could get a non-cat encumbered 454 Jimmy or Chevy pickup, but only 3/4 ton and above.
GM offered a 454 in a half ton, called the “Big Ten”, though I think it was a 49-state truck. Cali also didn’t get the L’il Red Express.
You could get a 454 in a 1/2 ton Chevy as late as 1977. My dad ordered a 2wd shortbox stepside that year with a 454 automatic. I took my license test in that truck in 1987.
For 1975 any “truck” with a GVW over 5000lbs wasn’t required to have a catalytic converter. GM had the “heavy half”, Ford brought out the F150 and IH eliminated the 100 replacing it with the 150 and gave it and all Scout II a 5200 GVW to avoid the catalytic converter. The minimum GVW to avoid the cat went up from there first to 6500lbs (1978 IIRC) then to 8600lbs (sometime in the 80’s) before being eliminated.
My Dad bought brand new off the truck from Fremont (Cal) assembly a ’79 GMC High Sierra Heavy Half (Balestra GMC-Pontiac in Redwood City, Cal.). LM1 350 4bbl and the “pancake” catalytic converter. Restrictive single exhaust. Exhaust note under throttle sounded like someone trying to blow their nose. Fit in between a regular 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton. He bought it to tow his then travel trailer and thought a 3/4 was too much truck. Came standard with a tranny cooler and bigger brakes than a standard 1500 V-8 1/2 ton.
By ’76 and ’77, most light duty, small V-8 and six cylinder half ton pickups (sold new in California) were unleaded only with cats. Buddy of mine bought a stepside Chevy C-10 350 four speed, regular leaded gas burning Chevy new in ’77 – registered with his grand folks in Oregon (this combo would’ve been n/a without cats in Calif.). In auto shop, we systematically removed the air pump, EGR, stock manifold, carb, stuck on headers and were literally off to the races!
There’s a rust-free (as far as I know) Dakota V8 of this vintage on a lot near me for only $1400. Wish I had somewhere to put it…unless someone on here knows of some congenital problems those things had, it seems like a bargain.
I’m old enough to remember when the Warlock and Express came out, but I’ve never heard of a Dodge “Dude.” Was it a regional offering?
It was 1970 and 1971. Featured a cowboy hat logo and distinctive C shape stripe. Only 1500-2000 where made. Just a They used Don Knotts of all people in the ads.
Thelma Lou and Juanita down at the diner thought that he was great in the ads.
I remember the ’70 and ’71 Dude trim package. As an eleven year old, riding my bike down to Francisco Dodge in San Rafael to drool over Chargers and Challengers, I remember seeing a Dude in Lime Green and one in Plum Crazy Purple. Solid beam front axle with leafs through ’71!!
Hello Boys,
I have a 1987 Dakota Express with the same stepside bed as the 90 – 92 Little Red Dakota Express.
Here is a photo
Google:: 87 dakota express and see more
do you still own this truck?
I bought a NEW, 1992 L’il Red Express Dakota. It did not have a dash plaque on it. The LER stk # is 97503 the VIN IS 1B7FL26Y1NS539233 It came with a 5.2 Magnum engine., I would like to know how many were built , and paper trail back to Chrysler if possible,
I was fortunate in owning a 78 lil red in 79. This was a blast to drive! Ive owned MANY mopars from superbees to new yorker, and everything in between. I do freehand pinstriping in Wi, and I saw several of these ler dakotas new on the dodge dealers lot. Both the warrior, and lil red. But I have never seen em since! Where did they go?
I have # 28 lil Red Express Truck , was wondering what these were worth?
I have #27
They are worth what someone will pay. If I had to guess depending on condition…I’m askin 6500.
what brand of wheels are those, and can you shoot a close up of the center caps and post?
They are the original American Racing rims
Do you still have the Dakota Express for sale. I’m interested.
Thanks
Joe
608 712-9104
good evening, just wondering if you still have this truck, also, do you think it would make the drive to socal?
still interested…….
still interested, would like to work something to were i would fly out, take a look and maybe drive it home this spring of 2019
I have the 360 out of a lil red in my dakota
What better way to revive the Li’l Red Express than using a Dakota to do it. I’ve never seen one in person, but it seems like a pretty cool thing to do. 🙂
I have a 1990. it has a v6 in it. pretty cool truck. trying to gather as much info about these trucks and get it all in one place. i got a site started for a compilation. found other older sites with broken links.
https://sites.google.com/site/lilreddak/
if anyone would like to share pics or any other info. please let me know
k s t a n w i c k @ g m a i l . c o m
thanks Kurt
love these trucks, wish the stepside found thier way to the west coast. would you know of a stepside parts truck or a complete stepside bed for sale? the closre to socal the better.
I occasionally do see that stepside bed for sale. I have seen it on a toyota and of course dakotas. Price seemed to be about 1k….I had my truck up for sale recently but no replies. I saw one in Ohio I think on ebay. No bids. Guy wanted 12k. Not many around. It’s like drivin a matchbox car for me.
Thank you for getting back to me! how much are you looking to get for yours, if you still are looking to sell? and where are you? shoot me some pics, maybe we can work something out, if not, if you come across a good complete bed, keep me in mind. Thank You Again jamaaripapa@aol.com
Good Morning Kurt,
just wondering if you sold your lil red express or were still looking to? let me know, i would want to get a deal put together in the next couple weeks.
This didnt attach to previous reply
I have a 1992, # 9 – awesome Lil truck, love it.
Wayne
i have a 1990 with a 3.9. it has the sticker on the door post saying its from LER.
i started a site trying to get as much info as i can find so to have as a reference.
I have a 1990 and a 1991 lil red express Dakota love to keep this site going.
I’ve never seen a Dakota based Lil Red Express before. I’ve seen pics of the truck, and I’ve seen a few earlier (D Series) Lil Red Express trucks.
I have a 1990 Dodge Dakota Lil Red Express Dakota with spare parts, hood, doors, fenders, bumper, etc. Engine needs to be rebuilt though. Looking to sell as is or the parts.
Do you have any pics?? Where are you located.
Thanks kurt
Yes- the truck is located in Portage, Indiana. It’s a 1990 Dakota converted from LER at the dealership. The bed is a stepside bed that is fiberglass.
do you have the complete stepside bed assembly?
Yes- it’s the LER stepside bed used in the conversions
Picture
thought i would try one last time. i thought we were right there with a deal. i was good with the $1000.00 for the bed by itself or my offer of $1500.00 for a non-running roller just for ease of shipping…..
I know this was a long time ago , but do you still have the bed? I’m in a hard search for one.
Thanks
Yes. I still have it. I have had some good offers on it, but decided not to sell it at the time. I may consider selling it if I had a strong offer.
I’m very interested. Can you send me a picture?
Billbroad50@live.com
Thanks ,
Bill
I’m interested. Could you please send me some pictures.
Thank you
Joe
608 712’9104
Hi Joe please give me a call if you’d like to sell the bed.
Thanks,
Bill 973-713-5464
can you shoot me some pics? rust,damage? how much for the whole bed assembly, taillights, tailgate,fuel hose. and to ready it to ship to socal? how about the whole thing as a parts truck ?jamaaripapa@aol.com
The bed is in good shape, paint is faded and scraped in the floor of the bed. No rust since it’s fiberglass material and very little on the steel for the floor. I would sell for about $1,000, but not sure how to prep for shipping to so. cal. I also have a new tailgate skin (front) from LER as well that would just need painting. The tailgate has fiberglass material wrapped about wood in the middle. I would include with the bed.
the price is good with me. let me talk to someone about shipping, i am sure it would have to go on a pallet and and then wrapped with that shipping saran wrap stuff.give me day or two. btw, what kind of shape are the grille and headlight doors in, can you send a pic? i may be interested in those also. thank you for your time and if you want, use my e-mail jamaaripapa@aol.com.
just asking to make things easier, how much for the whole truck, then all you would need to do is air up the tires. maybe$1500.00, it is going to be just for parts
good evening, any thoughts on the whole truck deal? and just because what ever deal we might come to in no one elses business, please use my e-mail jamaaripapa@aol.com
Thank You in advance,
Aaron
I bought a NEW 92 Dakota Li’l Red Express Dakota in Dec. of 92. It DOES NOT have a LER
dash Plaque on it., The Dealer was Leith Chrysler in Goldsboro, NC. They also had a Warlock., The Salesman. Cliff Dail, told me the 2 trucks were bought at the 92 Chicago Auto Show. I have done quite a bit of research and I have been told that 32 of these conversions were made by LER Industries, the Latest confirmation I could find was 28. Now, I also learned that at the end of the year, (92) LER had some parts left over, but no more plaques, and I believe that is where my Truck came from. So does that make mine the RAREST of the Rare.,or some sort of Illigimate chile. which ever, as I calculate, it is one of FOUR in the USA. BTW I have all the original paper work, bill of sale, etc.
Hi Pat,
The one you’ve pictured is mine actually, a ’92 & it came with a plate stating that it was #4 of the 92 production run. I managed to purchase the truck before they mounted the plate to the dash, and to this day it’s in the original baggie in the ashtray. Could be that yours also never got mounted, and someone misplaced it maybe?
As far as numbers, I was told that there was only 32 of the 92’s when I purchased it, but have seen 38 written in other articles aswell.
I have seen a few of the other trucks from the ’92 run in my area as well, #1, #15, and #27, would be pretty cool to get all 32ish together for a reunion, lol.
I own #27, and I live in Stratford, Ontario, Canada
#27
Hi tomcat do you know which mopar magazine had the 1992 lil red dakota express in it thanks Jim.
Hi, sorry for the late reply.
I used to have a scan someone sent to me. I’ll have to do some digging, or get my website running again, I miss geocities :-). Should have it somewhere.
I have the mag at home
Thanks !!
Sorry i haven’t had a chance to get back on this site thank’s Tom Cat for the reply Kurt can i get a photo of the front of the mopar magazine of the 1992 lil red dakota i want to try and find a magazine thank’s Jimmy.
Hey Pat I brought the Warrior from Leith in Goldsboro NC in April of 93 with 18 miles on it. I still own it. The day I brought it I drove it to the house and changed the oil to Penzoil 10/30 and that is all it has ever run. It now has about 163000 miles on it. I have a new Silverado and the Dakota is just sitting in the yard. I was also told that there was about 30 of these trucks made in 92 because LER did not finish the run in 91 their were to make 250 red Dakota’s and 250 Black Warrior’s. I have lost all the paperwork for mine over the years but I. Remember paying over 19000 dollars for it and a stock Dakota cost about 13500. I hope to restore mine one day.
Dave , i have your warrior in Graham NC . i just had it repainted and some general maintenance done to it .
Pat
i actually own the warrior that was with your lil red in Goldsboro. Your truck an mine were both order by the dealership ( Leith Chrysler ) at Detroit auto show. My Warrior sold in April of 1993 and the original owner had it until i believe 2019. I live in the Burlington NC Area and would like to talk to you about your truck .you can email @ jeff2005maggie@gmail.com
would anyone have a good complete stepside bed for sale? the closer to socal the better. maybe a roller parts truck? thought i had one ready to come my way. seller said they would get back to me, waited a week…..e-mailed to check in, won’t respond.
I bought an ’87 “Dakota Express” 2WD used in 1993 from a Ford dealer in north-central CT – it was my first vehicle. I owned it until about 2005 or 2006 but it was no longer running at that time. I GAVE it (yeah I know) to a neighbor who fell on hard times and needed a vehicle to get to work. I thought he was going to fix it (it needed a carb) but he ended up selling it and I have no idea what happened to it after that.
There was at least one other of these 1st gen Dakota Express trucks in my area that I would run into now and then I even pulled up next to it at a stoplight once!
I think 4 of the 1987 models were sold in CT through Papa’s dodge in Newington CT but I’m not sure if they sold any in subsequent years.
Mine did NOT have the side stack pipes like most of the others had. Instead, it had a custom roll bar that ran along the bed rails and above the cab. It also had black and grey stripe decals on the sides instead of the words “Dakota express”. When I sold it, the driver’s door had been replaced with a white door due to an accident.
I’d love to track this truck down and get it back if it still exists….
I happen to own this truck. I drove out to C.T 8 years ago and bought it along with a 1987 quadzilla for my son.
That sounds about right. How is the old truck doing? Have you fixed it up at all? I’d love to see some recent pictures if you have any.
I just got the 1992 #12 truck does anyone know the correct mopar magazine that had the article about the 1992 lil red dakota’s in it thanks Jim.
I can’t remember if the 92 little red Dakota that I owned was 12 or 15 from around 1993-98ish. The dash plaque was in the ash tray and I put it on the dash myself. I am from Edmonton, Alberta and was just looking to see it was around somewhere? I had the stacks hooked up with flow pro exausht, a performance computer installed and the rear bumper was a pipe style that had a small bend in it from being hit lightly. The truck, it was originally sold at Derrick Dodge and I was told that a kit was sent to the dealer then a local body shop (Jim Young Collision) put them together. Any info would be great, thanks
I seem to remember meeting up with the owner of 15 while on a Thurs Mopar drive. Maybe it was you, lol.
The stepside bed’s tailgate and fenders look almost too much like a ’73-87 Chevy’s. They aren’t, and they fit the Dakota’s square-cornered cab styling much better than the vintage 1953 Dodge Utiline fenders, but I just can’t unsee the resemblance.
I prefer the Warrior, Lil Red is a bit too over the top for my taste in any form, but I LOVE stepside/flareside beds. Weirdly enough I stumbled across and read this article on Saturday just perusing the archives, kind of funny seeing it reposted two days later, I thought I left a tab open!
I saw one of the 92’s done in warrior black paint and gold lettering. Have some pics somewhere, likely it was one of the rarest of the line.
I bought a 92 Dodge Dakota Warrior from the original owner several months ago. I planned on repainting it and keeping everything original, but then I bought a 56 Plymouth Fury project.i would consider parting with the Warrior if the price was right.
hi Mark, do you still have this for sale? if so, where and how much?
I have a 1992 dodge Dakota 5.2 v8 and I’m assuming it’s the warrior due to it not having stacks is there anything that will be good sign of what one it is ? This truck was sold new out of Cochrane dodge dealership and is still in Alberta
Allpar has a VIN decoder so you might want to try there. There are Dodge Dakota forums too if Allpar doesn”‘t help.
How the heck do you use that thing ! Just number and letter everywhere unless the page isn’t loading.
I have been looking for a Lil Red Dakota for years, and have had no luck. I have a pair of the stack shields NOS and was looking for a box . I figured I would make one to drive, but no luck with finding a bed either. I just listed the stacks and some of the little NOS parts I have for this on E-bay. I give up….too bad, I really like the trucks,hopefully I can help someone who has a real truck and needs the shields.
Saw my first little red Dakota in Pascagoula Mississippi,begged him to sell it to me,he said no of course ,this was 2002. Fast forward, moved to a new state, saw a little red Dakota on Craigslist, called the guy, bought the truck, and now she sits in our garage three years later. She is a blast at car shows and cruise ins. We took her to Huntsville, Alabama to an all Mopar car show. We took her for a car show at the Talladega Museum in Talladega, Alabama. Then, got to take her on the Talladega track for a three lap run. Research says there are less than 500 built. Exact figures are unknown. If you pull up little red express Dakota sites you my see her on it. She has double chrome back bumper that is not original but nice. There several websites out there that tell all about custom dodge dakotas. P. S. She has a 318, not the magnum, which was 1992 only.
Anyone remember/know the name for the “brother ,p/u truck”? Was black/gold and a specialty model like the “Lil Red”. My sister/ brother in laws neighbors had one.
Rode to “Armco Park” ( in Slippery Rock PA) in the back, bed area..Rode back home too..lol
That sounds like a Warlock. Possibly a Midnight Express.
Nope, that’s not it. There isn’t (never was) a requirement for any vehicle to have a catalytic converter. The emissions regulations have always been performance-based; they specify what may come out the tailpipe. If you can figure out how to control your vehicle’s emissions without a catalytic converter by using grapefruit rinds or thoughts and prayers or sometihng, that’s always been perfectly legal.
The standards for vehicles over a certain GVW (gross vehicle weight) were enough looser in ’78 that these trucks met those standards without a catalytic converter. Standards for all vehicles were tighter for ’79 than for ’78, hence the converters on these trucks (at least in the states; if they were offered in Canada, they’d’ve almost certainly been able to meet the dirtier Canadian standards without converters).
I recently saw #7 from 1992 at a car show in Coaldale, Alberta.