collectable classics dodge ramcharger 1974 1993The annals of American history are full of truck-based sport utility vehicles like the Dodge Ramcharger. Today, traditional body-on-frame SUVs have lost favor in the face of stiff competition from car-based crossovers, but there are still some rough-and-tumble trucky SUVs on the market.The Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco are off-road models with removable tops that go head-to-head for sales, and heavy hitters like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban (and their GMC Yukon and Yukon XL twins), Ford Expedition and Expedition Max, Nissan Armada, and Toyota Sequoia are well equipped for family hauling and towing duties.Dodge and Ram dealerships, however, are a little lacking in the full-size SUV department. There's the midsize Dodge Durango, which is based on a rear-wheel-drive chassis and likely appeals to the traditional SUV audience, but, like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the most modern version is actually a unibody design. There may be space on showroom floors for a more traditional SUV wearing the Ram badge, but for those more interested in classic machinery, the Dodge Ramcharger that was built from 1974 through 1993 stands out as an intriguing option.AdvertisementAdvertisementIf you're the kind of enthusiast who's always searching for something different-or just love discovering rare, one-off, or downright oddball vehicles-AutoGuide has you covered. We've put together a curated list featuring some of the most unique used cars, trucks, and SUVs from across more than 600 enthusiast forums.Subscribe now to join our exclusive mailing list and get the latest finds delivered straight to your inbox.collectable classics dodge ramcharger 1974 1993What Makes the Dodge Ramcharger So Interesting?The Ramcharger name is pretty cool. It's cool enough, in fact, that it's being brought back in the form of a plug-in hybrid pickup truck. The moniker even predates the truck-based SUV we're focused on today. Way back in the 1950s, a club full of Chrysler employees who loved drag racing used the name for its team of Mopar-powered cars, and it would go on to be a factory-backed racing effort through the 1970s.The first vehicle to wear the Ramcharger name outside of the quarter mile appeared for the 1974 model year. Based on a short-wheelbase Ram truck platform, competition for the Dodge Ramcharger SUV included the Chevrolet K5 Blazer, Ford Bronco, and International Scout. A Plymouth version known as the Trail Duster hit the market at the same time.collectable classics dodge ramcharger 1974 1993Ramcharger engine options ranged from a standard 225-cubic-inch slant six through a series of V8s displacing 318, 360, 400, and 440 cubic inches, and both manual and automatic transmissions were offered. Transfer cases on 4x4 models varied by year and the rest of the powertrain chosen, with the NP203 case providing full-time four-wheel drive from 1975 through 1979. As is often the case with older American SUVs, much of what fits into a Ramcharger was also used in hundreds of thousands of trucks, and that makes the option of building your perfect SUV using parts from many donor vehicles a realistic proposition.collectable classics dodge ramcharger 1974 1993What Is The Best Version Of The Dodge Ramcharger?In this case, "best" can mean many different things. First-generation Ramchargers (1974-1980) featured removable tops while second-generation models (1981-1993) had their roofs welded in place. So if you're looking for top-down motoring and want a Ramcharger, you'll need to look for an early edition. The fixed roof allowed Dodge to use a one-piece rear hatch, which some buyers may find more convenient than a tailgate.AdvertisementAdvertisementLater-model Dodge Ramcharger SUVs were fitted with more equipment and better finishes than older versions, including rear anti-lock brakes (1989), fuel injection (coming in 1988 for the 318 and 1989 for the 360), updated Magnum-branded engines in 1992 and 1993, and automatic transmissions with overdrive (1992).Over the years, Dodge released a few special-edition Ramcharger models for buyers looking to stand out from the crowd (though it's fair to say a Ramcharger is already less common than a Bronco or Blazer). The Top Hat, Macho, Prospector and Royal all had something interesting to offer. But perhaps most desirable of all is the Ramcharger Canyon Sport that used the modern Magnum V8 engine, a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission, two-tone paint with a body-color grille, and all the options that Mopar had to offer inside.collectable classics dodge ramcharger 1974 1993What Should You Expect To Pay For a Used Dodge Ramcharger?Like many other classic trucks and SUVs, Dodge Ramcharger prices have been climbing over the last several years. The earliest and the latest models generally carry higher prices than those in between. It's not uncommon to find second-generation Ramchargers from the 1980s for sale at reasonable prices, even in solid condition. Expect to pay in the $20,000 to $30,000 range for highly desirable Ramcharger models, and at the lower end of that range for nice examples that don't wear special edition paint or have extremely low mileage. Project vehicles can be found for significantly less.AutoGuide's used car classifieds is another source for used Dodge Ramcharger SUVs, including this well-sorted model from 1988.Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.
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