The Dodge Ramcharger is a large sport utility vehicle built by Dodge from 1974 to 1993, based on a shortened-wheelbase version of the Dodge D series/Ram pickup chassis. A Plymouth version, named the Plymouth Trail Duster, offered from 1974 to 1981, was Plymouth's only SUV.
The Ramcharger was mostly produced as a two-door, 4×4 vehicle, although a two-wheel-drive version was available. As a full-size SUV, it competed with the Chevrolet K5 Blazer and the 1978–1996 Ford Bronco.
The Ramcharger was discontinued at the end of the 1993 model year in North America. In Mexico, however, production continued until 1996. It was then brought back from 1999 to 2001, still as a two-door SUV and sharing the design of the contemporary Ram pickup. Approximately 30,000 were produced, with all examples being two-wheel-drive only.
In November 2023, Stellantis announced that the Ramcharger nameplate would be revived for a plug-in hybrid and extended-range electric vehicle truck version of the 2025 Ram 1500.
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First generation (1974–1980)<span class="anchor" id="1"></span><span class="anchor" id="1974"></span>
During development, it was known as the "Rhino." The Ramcharger/Trail Duster were built using a version of the Dodge Ram's Chrysler AD platform with a shorter wheelbase. Originally available in four-wheel-drive exclusively, a rear-wheel-drive only version was available starting in 1975. The 1974 through 1980 models came without a roof, with a dealer-installed fabric top, or an optional removable steel roof with a flip-up rear tailgate window. The early 1974 year model differs from the others in that its door pillars are attached to the removable roof. The "half doors" were used up to the build date of June 10, 1974; afterwards, the roof was changed to use normal pickup-style doors. Marketed as a basic utility vehicle, only the driver's seat was standard equipment with the passenger seat optional up to 1976. Also available was an insulated center console for keeping items cool when filled with ice. It had also shared some of its parts and components with the third-generation Chrysler minivans (Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager) as well. It was only sold in Mexico where the previous-generation Ramcharger had been successful. It was available in the ST, SLT, SLT Plus, and Sport trim levels. Powered by the or Magnum V8 engine and offered exclusively with rear-wheel drive, it was discontinued after the 2001 model year.
One of the features of this generation was a small third-row folding seat in the cargo area that faced sideways, making it less practical for long trips.