• How many were made?  1978:  2,188     1979:  5,118     TOTAL: 7,306
• What color is that paint?   1978:  Bright Canyon Red (Sunfire Metallic), PY3442   1979:  Medium Canyon Red, PY3450
• What size are those wheels?  1978:  15x7 front, 15x8 rear     1979: 15x8 front and rear
• How do I know it's a REAL Li'l Red Truck?  Check the VIN, Baby!  Here's a sample VIN breakdown of a typical Li'l Red.  The source is the  MOPAR 78-81 Light Duty Truck Parts Catalog:
  
  

  VIN	D13JS9S177197
  D1	D150
  3	Conventional Cab w/Utliline, MB3 Low Line (Means it's a stepside)
  J	8,500 Lbs to 10,000 Lbs (EPA regs required catalytic converters) (B for 1978 trucks 6,001 Lbs to 10,000 Lbs (means it's a heavy hauler so doesn't require catalytic converters per EPA regs))
  	Here comes the good part! Gotta have the 'S' to be REAL!!
  S	360 Hi Perf. (4V).....CONGRATS! You have one!!  (means it has the special engine and 4 barrel carb)
  9	1979 (of course an '8' would denote 1978)
  S	Warren Truck #1 Plant (J is the Tecumseh, Canada Plant for the 78's)  MUST be one of these!
  #	177197 is  the 6 digit sequential serial number
  	Does this REALLY mean you have a Li'l Red? Nope...Gotcha!  The truck must also have the exclusive YH6 Li'l Red Express Truck package.  The YH6 applies to both 1978 and 1979.  Look on the underside of the hood for the Equipment Identification Plate or under the seat for the Build Sheet to find theYH6 code.  Better yet, contact Michael Gress and purchase his publication that includes all VIN production numbers.  See Michael's info is on my Links Page!

• What kind of carburetor is that?  Well, my friend!  It's a 4 barrel Carter ThermoQuad 850 CFM.
• What kind of transmission is that?  It's a special one just for our Li'l Red!  A standard A-727 LoadFlight with some factory tweaks: a 440 valve body and 9 inch high-stall torque converter.
• I couldn't help but to stare at the rear-end!  Is alright!  That hummer is a 3.55:1 (a limited number had the Sure Grip) 9 1/4 inch!  Very Limited and hard to find!
• Is that engine an E58 (Police (Interceptor) Engine)?  You'd be a goober to think so!  It's an EH1, a modified Interceptor prepared just for our Li'l Red!  Would you like the specs here?
• Is my '78 supposed to have catalytic converters?  NO WAY! Because then it couldn't use those shiny stacks to blow HUGE holes in the ozone!  But hey, it has a PCV valve.  Don't let the state emissions people tell you your '78 needs cat converters, smog pump, or any of the other stuff.  If you have trouble getting state emissions approval, keep looking for a mechanic who KNOWS better. Mind you, the 79's DO require catalytic converters.  
• My truck sure is loud! Is it legal in my locality? Ummmmm, shhhhhhhhhh! Maybe, maybe not!  If you're getting hassled, I would suggest quiet it down some.  
• What's this old piece of paper doing attached under my seat?  OMG! Read it, keep it, cherish it!

The following is a list of some of the pieces that were added to the standard 360
four-barrel to create the "360 Express" engine:

Camshaft from the 1968 340 4-bbl.
Red stripe valvesprings with damper from the 1968 340 4-bbl.
Standard valve retainers (replacing rotators)
Large Thermo-Quad from Police 360
Intake manifold from the 1978 Police 360
Windage tray from Police 360
Roller timing chain and sprockets from Police 360
Dual-snorkel air cleaner with fresh air ducts
Chrome valve covers and air cleaner lid
Street-Hemi style mufflers


Parts are becoming somewhat difficult to find for the Li'l Red Truck nowadays,
but for what it's worth, here is a list of some of the part numbers for the Li'l Red:

Engine - Basic 360-1 with modifications......................4115270
Camshaft..........................................................................4041998
Valve spring assy............................................................2863439
Exhaust valve...................................................................3751673
Intake valve.......................................................................3683801
Push rod...........................................................................2899567
Rocker arm left................................................................4100775
Rocker arm right..............................................................4100774
Crankshaft........................................................................3751605
Intake manifold.................................................................3870023
Exhaust manifold left........................................................4049317
Exhaust manifold right......................................................4071606
Carburetor-4bbl Thermoquad.........................................4095418
Air cleaner - dual snorkel with chrome cover.................4100790
Dual mufflers.....................................................................4115294
Vertical tailpipes - chrome extensions...........................4115299
Heat shield - inner chrome...............................................4115342
Heat shield - outer chrome...............................................4115343
15 x 8.0 steel chrome slot wheel.....................................4036091
15 inch Tuff steering wheel..............................................P006JX9
Transmission - A727 with high performance governer..............4131012
Paint - Bright canyon red.................................................DT3442
Running board - chrome..................................................4113162-3

Varnished Oak trim boards for Utiline box:

Side panel upper.............................................................4113164-5
Side panel lower..............................................................4113166-7
Side panel rear................................................................4113168-9
Tailgate upper..................................................................4113170
Tailgate lower...................................................................4113171
Decal - tailgate.................................................................4113176
Decal - door......................................................................4113177

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