1996 Dodge Ram Is Converted Into Rad SUV

This RamCharger Style Creation Is As Cool As You Think It Is

There are a few dream vehicles that MOPAR fans like us wish existed. Well, they do exist, but just not for sale in the US. One of those vehicles would be the RamCharger pickup/SUV combo. 

It's cool because it is unavailable, but also because there's something about 2-door SUV's that's overly practical in some regards, and totally impractical in others. Maneuverability and off-road capability? 2-door wins. Loading up a bunch of your friends? 2-door comes up short. 

Yet for some reason, we can't keep ourselves from loving them. When we found this one from Streetside Classics, we had to share it. 

Photo courtesy of Streetside Classics

No Minivan Tailgate Here!

Even though a real RamCharger exists, there's one big elephant in the room. The tailgate is from the Grand Caravan. It is a bubbly shape that was popular from Chrysler back in that era, but it sits rather poorly on the Ram's otherwise sturdy body lines.

This conversion uses a back window from a Jeep, and a tailgate that looks to be grafted using the original drop-down tailgate. Just with the handle moved a foot lower.  

Photo courtesy of Streetside Classics

Period Correct Touches

A conversion like this wouldn't be complete without some extra custom touches. And you can't get much more "mid 90's custom" than three-spoke wheels. 

This set of rims wears Winston Winner GT tires which honestly might be from 1996. They may as well be because those raised white letters were all the craze back then. And we feel they are deserving of a comeback. 

Photo courtesy of Streetside Classics

5.9 liters of V8 Magnum Power

Meant for work, but perfectly capable of having fun. That's the best way to describe the 5.9-liter Magnum V8. This one in particular has some headers, but it's meant more for the audio gains than horsepower gains. Still, you're not at a shortage of grunt. 

Paired with the 4-speed auto, you have yourself a V8 that can rumble and get down with the rest of the crowd, while also being able to cruise at will. 

Photo courtesy of Streetside Classics

Two Doors And Two Rows

Because this truck apparently started life as an SLT trim level, you get the leather front bench seat. You also get a second bench seat, too. Proof that this conversion is as thorough as possible, the rear bench matches the front and even has its own seat belt anchor points added. 

Photo courtesy of Streetside Classics

You Still Have a Truck Bed!

Even in addition to the added second-row seating, you still have plenty of "truck" left in this RamCharger. Though you'd never know it, based on a fully trimmed interior. And we mean fully trimmed. The headliner, side trim, and even trunk area carpeting all looks like it is meant to be there. In all, it's the details that leave us most impressed with this conversion. And dare we say it, but this one might actually be better than the real thing! 

Photo courtesy of Streetside Classics

>>Join the conversation about this 1996 Ram creation right here in the Dodge Forum.

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