In the United States market, the Dodge Ramcharger was killed off at the end of 1993 and…that’s it. The focus was on the introduction of the new-for-1994 Dodge Ram, and it had been deemed that having a two-door fullsize SUV wouldn’t sell and would sink the CAFE numbers like a brick. So the Ramcharger was done…at least, in the States. In the Mexican and Canadian markets, the D-series Ramcharger stayed on until 1996 unchanged, and unreplaced when the SUV was discontinued. That didn’t sit well with the Mexican market one bit, whose buyers demanded a replacement truck that was just like the prior generation in setup. Good thing, too, because between a three million dollar restyling budget and the fact that the BR-series Ram couldn’t support a five-door variation without an extensive re-working. Besides, between the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Durango, the U.S. sector didn’t want you looking down south for your next family hauler.
When these Mexican Ramchargers do appear in the States, they often get snapped up pretty quickly by those in the know, if for nothing else than their unicorn status. They aren’t that spectacular, really: it’s a 5.2L, rear-wheel-drive 1990s Ram station wagon that tips the scales at 5,300 or so pounds. But we do get the idea of being the only person on the block with something, and this generation Ram was a looker, so maybe it’s worth it to you. This Ramcharger is up in Michigan and you’ll burn through the $5,000 Rough Start allowance to pick it up. You’ll also have to concede a wrinkled passenger fender, questionable tires, and the usual Ram traits that involve roasting transmissions and questionable electronics. But look at the positives: Cummins swap potential. 408 stroker 5.9L Magnum. Manual transmission conversion. You might even be able to throw four wheel drive under it if you’re willing to do some engineering work down the line. But you can get the Ramcharger now…and that’s the key.
Craigslist Link: 1999 Dodge Ramcharger
Does that mean snorting the family budget off the hood of a Dodge Ram?
Looks too much like a Dodge Caravan rear end grafted onto a Dodge Ram front end.
Cool and all as I love full size 2 door SUVs; however, this one missed the target by a little bit (in my opinion only).
IIRC those Ramchargers used the same liftgate as the Caravan.