Dodge Ramcharger from the 90s or what real SUVs should be

The era of "correct" SUVs is already in the past. Many car brands have abandoned these models due to the catastrophic decline in demand. There are only a few concerns that produce such machines. For example, Mercedes-Benz with its G-Class or Dodge with a huge Ram.


However, there has recently been a resurgence of interest. Ford has resumed production of the Bronco, and General Motors has pleased the electric Hummer EV.

But all this is not the same - before, frame SUVs were real hard workers, structurally simple, reliable like trucks and relatively inexpensive. Now in this class, manufacturers compete in luxury and pomposity.


Today we will talk about a real old-school American frame SUV - the Dodge Ramcharger. This car was produced from 1974 to 2001, having gone through three generations. The latest generation model did not arouse interest and was discontinued, bringing only losses to Dodge.

First generation

The Ramcharger debuted in 1974. This is a typical American SUV of those years - strong and reliable. Many may now be surprised by the three-door body, but this is done purposefully.

Firstly, due to this arrangement, it was possible to maximize the luggage compartment. If necessary, the rear seat is removed, turning the Dodge Ramcharger into a full-fledged truck. Although, usually no passenger row was provided - it was an option.


Secondly, the three-door body is torsionally stiffer. Considering the conditions in which it was supposed to operate the car, this is a justified step.



The manufacturer chose the platform of the Chrysler AD pickup truck as the chassis for its SUV. Since the start of production, Dodge has positioned its model as a "workhorse" capable of surviving all the hardships of hard farm life. To prove this, cars periodically participated in the rally, repeatedly taking first place there.

Under the hood of the base Dodge Ramcharger, an engine with a displacement of 3,7 liters was installed. By the way, all power units on first-generation cars with a carburetor power system.

In more expensive trim levels, the motors were larger:

✅ 5,2
✅ 5,9
✅ 6,6
✅ 7,2 liters

With engines, mainly manual gearboxes were offered in 3, 4 or 5 steps. There was only one automatic transmission - a three-speed one. The drive was offered both rear and full. The transfer case on SUVs was the NP-203 model.


In 1978, they decided to get rid of the largest engines - the 6,6 and 7,2-liter units disappeared.

The second generation

In 1981, sales of the next generation Dodge Ramcharger began. Outwardly, the car has not changed much, remaining the same reliable SUV. The weakest engine in the line - 3,7 liters - disappeared from the range.

Only power units with a working volume of 5,2 and 5,9 liters remained. Despite their appetite, these old motors were structurally reliable and easy to repair. Although, the average fuel consumption could shock a European - about 24 liters per 100 km.

Until 1987, all Dodge Ramcharger engines were carbureted, despite the fact that fuel injection systems have long prevailed among other manufacturers. This is due to the desire to maintain the simplicity of design, because the SUV was positioned as a car for farmers and cowboys. Accordingly, it can be repaired even in the backyard or in the field.


The first injection engine appeared in the range of the manufacturer in 1988. A few years later, all power units lost their carburetors.

Manual transmissions remained in the model range, moreover, more such versions were sold. Until 1991, only three-speed automatic transmissions were offered, then they were replaced with four-speed units.



In the early 1990s, demand for the Dodge Ramcharger dropped. The manufacturer decided to move the assembly from the US to Mexico, where such simple SUVs were still popular. Not bad bought Dodge Ramcharger and in Canada.

The Mexican versions of the SUV have been simplified to make them as cheap as possible. In this form, the car was produced from 1993 to 1996.


This is not to say that the model became a bestseller - the Mexicans for the most part could not afford expensive American SUVs with voracious V8 engines. Rich clients preferred something more prestigious and five-door.

Third Generation

Despite the collapse of sales of the Dodge Ramcharger and the cessation of production in 1996, it was decided to return the model to service after a few years. Outwardly, the new car did not resemble the previous two generations, except perhaps with a three-door body.



The model was a failure and was produced only from 1999 to 2001. It was made in Mexico, where it was sold.
Dodge Ramcharger was offered only with two engines - 5,2 and 5,9 liters. These are the legendary V8s, distinguished by their reliability.


To reduce production costs, the third generation Ramcharger was unified as much as possible with other models. Basically, this is a Dodge Ram 95 pickup truck, although a number of parts are taken from Chrysler / Dodge minivans.

Cars of the third series, despite the three-door layout, were much better suited for everyday use. The main feature of the model is a folding third-row seat in the cargo compartment.



A steady decline in demand for frame SUVs, especially for models with a three-door body. For example, the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon of this type were discontinued around the same years as the main opponent, the Ford Bronco.

The second nuance is the presence of two competitors in the US car market. These are Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee models.


The latest nuance - the outdated third-generation Ramcharger engines spoiled the manufacturer's statistics on environmental friendliness and fuel consumption. This threatened with fines from the government and a negative perception of the corporation's cars as a whole.

Is it worth looking in Russia?

We basically know the Dodge Ramcharger, although many do not even know about it. This car has become familiar in American action movies since the late 1980s.


The SUV was used by the police, special services, Texas Rangers, which was reflected in the cinema. Only in the movies is the car faceless - a three-door Jeep, nothing more.

It is difficult to buy a Dodge Ramcharger in Russia - these cars are on sale only occasionally. Nothing definite can be said about their cost either - it depends on the appetites of the previous owners. If you focus on the Ford Bronco of the same years, then you should ask for a Dodge Ramcharger from 400 thousand to 2 million rubles.

Is it worth buying a rare and age SUV? Looking for what. This is more of a weekend car, it will be too expensive to operate it every day. The car is maintainable, but spare parts will have to be ordered from the USA, and there is no escape from age.