Dodge Ramcharger
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| Dodge Ramcharger<tr><td colspan=2>Image:Dodge-Ramcharger.JPG</tr>
<tr><th>Also called:<td>Plymouth Trailduster</tr> | |
| Manufacturer: | Chrysler Corporation<tr><th>Production:<td>1974–1993</tr><tr><th>Successor:<td>Dodge Durango</tr><tr><th>Class:<td>Full-size SUV</tr><tr><th>Body style:<td>2-door SUV</tr><tr><th>Platform:<td>FR/AWD AD</tr><tr><th>Engine:<td>318 in³ LA V8 360 in³ LA V8 440 in³ RB V8</tr><tr><th>Transmission:<td>4-speed manual 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic</tr><tr><th>Wheelbase:<td>106.0 in</tr><tr><th>Length:<td>188.8 in</tr><tr><th>Width:<td>79.5 in</tr><tr><th>Height:<td>69.7 in</tr><tr><th>Related:<td>Dodge D Series Dodge Ram</tr><tr><th>Similar:<td>Chevrolet K5 Blazer Ford Bronco Toyota Land Cruiser</tr> |
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The Dodge Ramcharger was a large sport utility vehicle built by Dodge from 1974 to 1993, and based on a shortened-wheelbase version of the Dodge D Series/Ram pickup truck chassis. A Plymouth version, named the Trailduster and offered from 1974 to 1981, was Plymouth's only SUV. The Ramcharger was primarily produced as a two-door, four wheel drive vehicle although a two wheel drive version was available.
The vehicle was usually powered by a Chrysler LA engine, the most common was the 318 in³ (5.2 L) with the 360 in³ (5.9 L) and even big-block RB 440 in³ (7.2 L) engines in the early years. As a fullsize SUV, it competed with the Chevrolet K5 Blazer and the full-size Ford Bronco.
Like many vehicles, the Ramcharger was used in rallying, although its use was very limited. It did have some success, as demonstrated by achieving first place at Sno*Drift in 1975.
A second generation Ramcharger was produced in Mexico based on the second generation Ram pickup in 1999 (it was not marketed for the U.S. market), however, the model never enjoyed the sales of the first generation Ramcharger and was discontinued around 2004. One of the most interesting features of this generation was a small folding seat in the cargo area, facing sideways, not a full-sized seat, making it uncomfortable for long trips.
Why the Mexican-market Ramcharger was not marketed in the U.S. - DaimlerChrysler had two profitable mid-sized SUVs (Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango); the SUV market was favoring 4 or 5-door SUVs as opposed to 2-doors (2-door SUV sales have been declining to which GM ended production of its 2-door Tahoe and Yukon).
[edit] See also
| Dodge — a division of DaimlerChrysler | Vehicles | | |
| Current: | |
| Cars: | Avenger | Caliber | Charger | Magnum | Viper |
| Vans / SUVs: | Nitro | Caravan/Grand Caravan | Durango |
| Trucks: | Dakota | Ram | Sprinter |
| Historic: | |
| Cars: | 024 | 330 | 400 | 600 | 880 | Aries | Aspen | Avenger | Challenger | Charger (B-body) | Charger (L-body) | Charger Daytona | Colt | Conquest | Coronet | Custom 880 | Dart | Daytona | Demon | Diplomat | Dynasty | Intrepid | La Femme | Lancer | Matador | Mirada | Monaco | Neon | Omni | Polara | Shadow | Sierra | Spirit | SRT-4 | St. Regis | Stealth | Stratus | Super Bee |
| Vans / SUVs: | Mini Ram Van | Raider | Ramcharger | Ram Van | Ram Wagon | Sportsman | Town Panel | Town Wagon | Tradesman |
| Trucks: | 50 Series | 100 Series | 500 Series | A100 | B Series | C Series | D Series | Power Wagon | Rampage | Ram 50 |
| Corporate: | Fratzog | John Francis Dodge | Horace Elgin Dodge |
