The Dodge Ramcharger Was A Luxury Truck For Discerning Country Boys

"Margin Of Error" (marginoferror) 02/24/2015 at 14:25 • Filed to: FORGOTTEN CLASSIC, FC, ESSAY

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Long before SUV's became synonym with lifted hatchbacks and distracted soccer moms vehicles of choice, an SUV was a workhorse with a twist of burgundy velours, or as I like to say, an iron hand in a velvet glove.

Welcome to Forgotten Classics.

As demonstrated in the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , the goal of this series of essays is be to bring cars that are getting no love back in the limelight. FC is also a thorough analysis of why such cars remained obscure and never got the praise they deserved.

The Dodge Ramcharger and its least successful brother, the Plymouth Trailduster were introduced to the North American market as MY 1974. For the rest of this article, we will do like most customers did and ignore the Plymouth variant.

The Ramcharger's mission was to compete with the already popular offering from GM (Chevy Blazer) and Ford (Bronco).

Dodge decided to use a shortened version of the D and called it the AD platform. An easy solution that allowed for quick production readiness. Mechanically, the Ramcharger was identical to the D pickup truck, with the 318 as the base engine and a huge ass optional 440 cubic inches V8. Base transmission was a 3 speed manual.

Inside, the cockpit was outfitted with lavish carpeting, a wooden dash and 'white stripes' patterned seats.

Luxury didn't end at the front, the plush, fold-able rear seat could be upholstered various materials and colors.

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In popular culture, the Ramcharger was the vehicle of choice for B series serial killer movies. It's been more than once featured as the 'villain's' car, including the 1977 blockbuster 'The Hitchhiker'

An updated version, also called 'second generation' in automotive parlance was presented in 1981. A refreshed front clip, updated seats and a simplified engine selection, that was it.

The Ramcharger soldiered on until 1993, receiving a few minor updates here and there.

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Pictured here, a 1993 Dodge Ramcharger in Ruby Red.

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Just like Michael Jordan, the Ramcharger attempted a comeback at the turn of the century. It didn't went so well, it was a Mexican exclusivity and only lasted 2 years.

In conclusion, thanks for reading.

deekster_caddy > Margin Of Error 02/24/2015 at 14:29

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I miss my old Ramcharger sometimes. Late 70's with the removable roof were the best years! I had a '78, pictured here:

It was a LOT of fun! I had a soft top for the summers too. Who doesn't want a convertible mudder!

505Turbeaux > Margin Of Error 02/24/2015 at 14:29

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Also, if you catch the very first year of production, you got a true full convertible. The later years until the refresh in 80-81 had window surrounds on the doors. Fisr Ram is best ram all day

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Margin Of Error 02/24/2015 at 14:30

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Now it's sitting in a junkyard because Malaise Era.

Margin Of Error > deekster_caddy 02/24/2015 at 14:30

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That is so badass !

Margin Of Error > 505Turbeaux 02/24/2015 at 14:31

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Was it from the factory, so cool !

Margin Of Error > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 02/24/2015 at 14:32

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Why so negative ?

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Margin Of Error 02/24/2015 at 14:32

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I had one. It's the only Dodge product that I've ever owned that that I miss owning. Mine had a 318 and the 3 speed, 4wd could be activated from the inside, and since I lived in Alaska at the time, that was a big deal. If I found one in decent shape without a bazillion miles on it, I would seriously consider getting it.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Margin Of Error 02/24/2015 at 14:33

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I just don't remember the last time I saw one of these on the road.

Margin Of Error > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 02/24/2015 at 14:35

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They stopped making them 22 years ago, and they weren't strong sellers.

deekster_caddy > Margin Of Error 02/24/2015 at 14:35

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Thanks! This one had a 4" lift, and I scored a dumpster-ready '78 3/4 ton ram pickup with a factory plow package, so I put the 3/4 ton axles and plow kit on my ramcharger! It had a special bracket for the power steering pump so it actually used 2 power steering pumps - one for the steering and one for the plow! I never saw another one like it...

505Turbeaux > Margin Of Error 02/24/2015 at 14:37

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yeah, first year only till they went to the style in the top photo, which is also a convertible, more so than a Bronco or a K5, but those doors suck in my opinion vs the pure style of the 74

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Margin Of Error 02/24/2015 at 14:42

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Yeah, I guess there's that. I just see Broncos and Blazers all over the place, so having not seen one of these in, well, I don't know. Never maybe? I just assumed they were left to rust into the ground after another unacceptable failure that was indicative of the American automotive industry, and especially Mopar, at the time.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Margin Of Error 02/24/2015 at 15:00

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I never got why the Ford and Chevy sold so much better. They're so similar.

Agrajag > Margin Of Error 02/24/2015 at 15:06

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I had an 86 Ramcharger. Would buy one again in a heartbeat.

I had been meaning to do a similar piece on this under appreciated vehicle. I'm glad you did it instead.

Birddog > Margin Of Error 02/24/2015 at 16:13

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That's a fine looking rig right there. I'd take that over a Bronco or Blazer any day.

Chrysler was good for offering the same interior in these as you'd find in a New Yorker, if that's what you wanted.

It's a shame how pre 1994 Dodge trucks just couldn't sell. They were built just as well as Ford and Chevy. I think only Jeep pickups were worse off by the early 80s.

Green Mountain Car Guy > Margin Of Error 02/24/2015 at 17:28

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My dad has one of these growing up! The odo had ticked over once by the time he bought it - and again while we owned it for like 10 years! Toward the end the malaise-ness got to it so it was relegated to the plow truck until it couldn't anymore. But, I remember it fondly and have an inexpiable soft spot for them. His was an 83, 360, 4bbl, 3spd auto - 4" lift, 33" tires. It hummed and floated with the best of 'em, but, we had some good times in that truck!

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > Margin Of Error 02/24/2015 at 18:07

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Story time: When my dad was a kid, my grandfather was looking at a Ramcharger. Whilst on the test drive, they ended up near a plowed corn field. My grandfather, being the thorough man he is, put the truck into 4WD. When asked why by the salesman, he explained he wanted to see how the 4wd works. He then proceeded to drive through said cornfield (this was a time and place where everyone knew everyone.) Needless to say, the salesman wasn't exactly excited and was probably quite frankly terrified.

Jim is one of KFCs secret ingredients > Margin Of Error 03/09/2015 at 12:34

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I miss the old Full Size 2 Door SUV's.

I had a SJ Cherokee for a bit... loved the interior on that thing. So 70's, and so comfortable.

HillStaffer > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 03/09/2015 at 15:03

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Better marketing, brand loyalty, and distribution system. Dodge had far fewer dealerships than Ford or Chevy particularly in the small rural areas where the most trucks were sold at the time.

HillStaffer > Agrajag 03/09/2015 at 15:04

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Wasn't the Ram Hood ornament alone one of the most expensive options available on the Dodge trucks?

Agrajag > HillStaffer 03/09/2015 at 15:13

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I'm not sure. I kept the one off of that truck though.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > HillStaffer 03/09/2015 at 15:14

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I did not know that last bit.

Skyrider > Margin Of Error 03/09/2015 at 19:36

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Two things:

The Mexican remake was only offered as a 2wd. If they had made it a 4wd, who knows if it would have been more successful or not.

And second. Chuck Norris+Ramcharger= AWESOME