We all remember the iconic Dodge Li’l Red Express pickups from the 1970s with its memorable paint job, smoke stacks, and decals on the doors. What is less known by the broader car community is that the idea was revisited in the early 90s with the later Dodge Dakota pickup, thus proving that it’s not just in the present day that we keep rehashing old ideas for profit. This particular Dakota is a 1991 model and is basically a direct copy of the original, and it’s listed here on eBay with needs and a suggested opening bid of $7,500.
I’m not sure how I feel about the 90s-era Dakota being made to look like a limited-production model that reflected the styling trends of the 1970s so perfectly. The Dakota was from a time when smaller pickup trucks were being slammed on the ground with neon paint jobs, wild decals, chrome wheels with low profile tires, and in some cases, even hydraulic suspensions. The so-called Li’l Red Dakota was an attempt to make those the custom cosmetic touches of yesteryear relevant again, and I’m not so sure about the execution. As you can see, the tube-style bumpers have seen better days.
The seller notes that the entire underside of the truck has been coated with POR-15 and you should really check it out for yourself. I’m not sure this is an upgrade or an attempt to make what may be a frame with lots of surface rust. Now, a frame with surface rust doesn’t bother me at all – as long as there are no holes and the vehicle in question isn’t being left in the salt and slush – but for some buyers in other parts of the country, it’s a major turn off, so the heavily-coated frame may be a way to make the Dakota more appealing to bidders. Fortunately, the interior doesn’t need such help, as it appears to be in excellent condition for a used vehicle.
The Dakota comes with a 5.2L V8, which the seller points out is rare in the very small batch of Li’l Red Dakotas that were made as most had a six-cylinder engine. Still, this Dakota has more than a few issues to resolve, including an engine that smokes at startup (which the seller attributes to potentially a stuck lifter), multiple lights illuminated on the dash, a sagging headliner, and air conditioning that doesn’t blow cold. Still, there aren’t many of these out there, so if you’ve been looking for the Part II of the Li’l Red Express franchise, here’s your chance.
They must have sold tens of these trucks. I’ve never seen or heard of them.
This is the first time I have seen this on the first gen Dakota. I give them a A+ for the effort. The 5.2L is in keeping with having a 360 in the original truck. Just doesn’t quite pull it off though. I actually prefer the look of the original Dakota before they got the rounded fender treatment like it’s bigger brother.
It’s craptacular.
Totally a dealer add-on B.S. sticker package. Not factory produced and not worth a DIME more than a stock-appearing Dakota…and probably less if you ask me. Please research and call these cars and trucks out for what they are. This is not “rare” in any way, shape, or form. It is another seller trying to dupe an unsuspecting buyer.
Actually, there is strong evidence to the contrary. This cut from Wikipedia:
Li’l Red Express Dakota and Dakota Warrior
Dodge Dakota Li’l Red Express next to four of the original Dodge Lil Red Express trucks
Two special editions of the first were constructed with step-side beds. Both were constructed by L.E.R. Industries of Edwardsburg, Michigan. The step-side beds were constructed out of fiberglass and galvanneal.[2] Wooden bed rails were also available.[3]
The Li’l Red Express Dakota was made to resemble the original 1978–1979 Express models that were based on the Dodge D-Series. It featured the step-side bed and dual vertical exhaust stacks behind the cab that were non-functional. The Dakota Warrior was made to resemble the and Warlock trim from the late 1970s. Warriors included the bed as the Dakota Express, but lacked the vertical exhaust stacks.[2] Both the Express and Warrior Dakotas had a graphics package made to resemble those of the original models.[4]
Production numbers for the Expresses and Warriors were in the hundreds.[5] A few were made with the 5.2 L Magnum V8 engine, which was only an option during 1992, the final model year of Express and Warrior.[2]
Good digging Ray. It looked too complete to be a dealer add. Seller is right. It’s probably the only one left with the big engine. Can’t deny it’s a rare beast.
I have never seen or heard of one of these, I do know by 1991 single cab pickups were a slow sell most customer’s wanted the extended cab
I had a ’92, 4 cyl, 5 speed. I have to say it was the most poorly constructed truck I ever owned. On the flip side, I bought a ’98, extra cab, V6, 5 speed and loved it.
Wow, a Mopar I’ve never seen or heard of. Or, I’d completely forgotten about them.
Better bring a heavy wallet for this one.
Sold for $7500.
An all red velour interior in a truck is not what i would call masculine oriented.
Blue on blue would have been better.