The Exotic 3rd Generation Ramcharger We Didn't Get

1. Third Generation Production

The third generation Dodge Ramcharger was in production from 1995 to 2002, at plants in Mexico and Canada. The Ramcharger was only sold in Mexico, Canada, and South America, which are the same places the previous generations have been most successful in. Just one look at it and you can see it is basically a full sized SUV, based on the popular 1994 Ram pickup truck.

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2. Power Train

The Dodge Ramcharger was powered by a 318 cubic-inch/5.2-liter Magnum engine, or the optional 360 cubic-inch/5.9-liter Magnum V8 engine. Transmissions were 4-speed, in either manual or automatic. Oddly enough for an SUV sold primarily in Mexico, Central and South America, all models were only offered in 2WD.

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3. Features and Trim

The Dodge Ramcharger was offered in four different trim levels: the ST, the SLT, the SLT Plus, and the Sport trim. One of the most popular features of the Ramcharger was the small third-row seat for two additional passengers in the cargo area, but the seat faced sideways which made it somewhat impractical. The rear door was the same hatch door found on the Dodge minivans of the era.

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4. Why the Ramcharger Never Made the USA Market

The Dodge Ramcharger never made it on the USA market, and the obvious reason was the declining sales of all two-door SUV vehicles. At the time, most car manufacturers had added four-door SUVs to the lineup and the sale of two-door SUVs plummet. When Ford replaced the long running Bronco with the Expedition they did not even bother with a two-door. It was also felt that another big, V8 powered vehicle would hurt Chrysler's corporate average fuel economy in the US. Finally, the Ramcharger was not all that much bigger than the Durango, which was a four-door, so it would cannibalize their own sales.

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5. Ramcharger Competition

The Ramcharger competed with other two-door SUVs like the original Blazer, and Ford Bronco, and later Chevy Tahoe As full sized SUVs evolved from off-road machines to luxury passenger vehicles, buyers wanted easier access to the rear seat. With the revised 2004 Durango getting larger, there was no longer any business case to be made for the Ramcharger on the less sophisticated full size truck chassis.

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