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Earlie A said
Most references I've seen list the curb weight of the Lil Red at 3,850 lbs, give or take. The factory put extra heavy springs on them to get the GVW rating over 6,100# because in 1978 that would mean no catalytic converter. In 1979 the goverment raised the GVW rating so the Lil Red had cats in '79.

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/1978-79-dodge-lil-red-truck/

That's nothin', my '68 Barracuda convertible weighs 3750 lbs without me in it, and probably even more now that I added some items.

I believe a custom torque converter from Precision of New Hampton or other reputable place will make it perform even better than a 2500 rpm unit.