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Who Knew? 1991 Dodge L’il Red Express Dakota

Who knew? A lot of us have been fans of the L’il Red Express for decades but who knew that there was a 1991 Dodge L’il Red Express Dakota?! This rare truck can be found here on craigslist in Portland, Tennessee! Who knew that there was a Portland, Tennessee?! The seller is asking $7,500 or they’ll possibly trade for something with four wheels and not four doors. Thanks to angliagt for sending in this tip!

This is one unusual pickup. I have never seen one in person but I knew that they weren’t a factory piece. Dodge had a company called L.E.R. Industries out of Edwardsburg, Michigan make these trucks as dealer options from 1990 to 1992. They’re pretty unique and fairly close to the original L’il Red Express, at least in appearance.

The exhaust stacks weren’t functional and I’d want to add some wood on the sides of the box like the original L’il Red Express had. Speaking of the box, here’s what it looks like inside the bed. It was lined with galvaneel, a thinly-coated galvanized metal, and the flares were fiberglass. There was also a Dakota Warrior, somewhat resembling the Dodge Warlock.

The interior looks pretty standard Dakota-like and actually other than the step-side box, the stacks, and graphics, it is basically a standard Dakota pickup. The seller says that this is truly a rust-free Tennessee truck and it sure looks great and even has cold AC. It was in storage for years and was gone through to make sure that it was a reliable driver.

In 1992, a 318 Magnum V8 was available but this truck is a 1991 and it has Dodge’s “normal” 318 cubic-inch V8 which should have 170 hp. The seller says that it runs and drives really well. The only modification is a two-inch lowering kit for the rear to even out the stance. Have any of you heard of the L’il Red Express Dakota?

Comments

  1. Avatar Michael Groves

    I Chee waa waa!!! Dat be da spicy meat a ball.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Fordfan

      Love it .I think I read somewhere that exhaust stacks are now illegal on pickup trucks ,that’s why dodge or ram can’t offer it now

      Like 0
      • Avatar Pat Osburn

        I bought mine new in 92, it came stock with the 5,2 magnum. engine. I’ve put 150K miles on the original running gear., then several years ago., I put a 5.9 magnum in., along with a new Tranny , brakes., tires., and differential.., It is sweet. The paint is original and decals have faded, but I still get a lot of thumbs up when I drive it around town. It will “light ’em up.

        Like 0
  2. Avatar Steve R

    It looks a bit like an oversized Chevy Luv stepside.

    I give the seller credit for not asking a sky high price for what’s basically a sticker package, like the Cutlass Calais pace car featured yesterday. If it’s as advertised, it should find a new home with someone looking for something different.

    Steve R

    Like 5
    • Avatar Miguel

      I don’t think a 1991 Dakota has been worth $7500 since 1992.

      Like 7
  3. Avatar kelly g

    My father in law has a 1992 shortbox 4×4 with 66k miles on it. First year of the magnum V6. I really covet that truck. I offered him a straight up trade for my cherry 112k 98 3 door silverado and he wouldnt do it. Waaaaaaa

    Like 4
  4. Avatar Troy s

    One of the things that made the original Lil Red special was the 360 cop motor. Fancy looks were backed up with actual performance, on par with the Trans Ams of the day…hey a pick up truck that could run in the 15’s is pretty good in my book.
    Not quite the same here, unfortunately.

    Like 8
    • Avatar Terry Bowman

      It was also the fastest American vehicle in the “1/4 mile”, at the time.

      Like 0
  5. Avatar JOHN Member

    Certainly no LRE expert by any means, but I was pretty certain the exhaust stacks WERE functional…

    Like 2
    • Avatar Scotty Gilbertson Staff

      Give’r a quick Google, John.

      They weren’t functional according to most articles but, like flying to the moon which surely wasn’t possible, the exhaust pipes could, of course, be made to be functional.

      Like 1
  6. HoA Rube Goldberg Member

    I have not heard of one, and thanks again to SG for enlightening us. I had a Dakota, with a ton of miles, brother put a 1/4 mil on one, until the frame broke. Never cared for specially themed pickup trucks, but it’s a pretty good copy of the original.

    Like 3
  7. Avatar LARRY

    Stacks do look functional there’s an exhaust pipe in front of each rear tire. As for the engine..a 318 can be made to perform quite easily

    Like 3
  8. Avatar Butch

    Pretty nice little ride but I can’t help but think how much better looking one of these would have been had it been made on the later model 99-00-01 Dakota body design!
    Just me.

    Like 3
  9. Avatar Terry Bowman

    Just a thought, many came with the V-6. Why install a basic 318 from the factory when the 360 was available for the sporty truck ? Kinda like buying a wedding ring that’s gold plated. Give me the “REAL DEAL”.

    Like 1
  10. Avatar BigDoc

    That 318 is one of the best engines around IMHO. Like the Energizer Bunny they just keep on running.

    Like 1
  11. Avatar KevinLee

    I’ve never heard or seen one of these, that is until this past week. Saw one in front of a house, in a neighborhood I’d never been to before. What a coincidence!

    Like 1
  12. Avatar Karl

    Exhaust stacks on pickups SHOULD ALL BE ILLEGAL, they look ridiculous!!

    Like 0
  13. Avatar stillrunners

    Cool rare and like it – never seen one but can vouch for the toughness with my 1994 V8 Dakota Sport – still taking a load at about 240,000 on motor – trans rebuilt about 190,000 cause I haul stuff ! What were the others doing with their small trucks ?

    Like 1
  14. Avatar Dan Breejen

    The bed was manufactured by Delta III Corp of Sturgis, Michigan. We sold The Dakota beds to LER and a couple of other converters. The converter would take the original bed off, get about $400 for that and buy the raw, unpainted bed for about $900. We also made beds for S-10 and Rangers.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Stevieg

    The only thing, in my opinion, that would make this cooler would be if the top folded down. Neat truck!

    Like 0
  16. Avatar Edward

    The truck in this article now sets in our garage,we bought it in 2020 in Portland Tennessee,had to stop and put antifreeze in because it was dry,new radiator,new starter,new battery,new fluid pump,a lot of a/c work,new wheel bearing in rear,wiring problems ,amp gauge stopped working,three years later,still fun to drive.We take (Little Red)to car shows and cruise ins,even to a all mopar show in Huntsville,Ala.then to Talladega,Ala.for a car show at the museum,there is less then 500 trucks built,,not sure how many left. I saw one for sale for $3000.$9000,$25000,$27000.ours not for sale thanks

    Like 1
  17. Avatar Sherri

    The truck in this article now sets in our garage,we bought it in 2020 in Portland Tennessee,had to stop and put antifreeze in because it was dry,new radiator,new starter,new battery,new fluid pump,a lot of a/c work,new wheel bearing in rear,wiring problems ,amp gauge stopped working,three years later,still fun to drive.We take (Little Red)to car shows and cruise ins,even to a all mopar show in Huntsville,Ala.then to Talladega,Ala.for a car show at the museum,there is less then 500 trucks built,,not sure how many left. I saw one for sale for $3000.$9000,$25000,$27000.ours not for sale thanks SHERRI

    Like 1

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