Is a Dodge Ramcharger a truck?
No—the Dodge Ramcharger is not a conventional pickup truck; it is a full-size, body-on-frame SUV built on the same platform as Dodge’s full-size pickups.
Produced from 1974 to 1993, the Ramcharger was designed as a rugged two-door SUV with four-wheel-drive options, sharing its underpinnings with Dodge's pickup trucks. This arrangement places it in the SUV category rather than a standalone truck, though it uses truck-based hardware that influenced its capability and durability.
What the Ramcharger is
The Ramcharger was part of Dodge's line of truck-based SUVs—a vehicle intended to blend passenger space, off-road ability, and a sturdy, shareable chassis with Dodge’s light-truck lineup.
Platform and body style
The Ramcharger is built on Dodge’s full-size pickup platform, using a body-on-frame construction typical of trucks of its era. It features a two-door SUV body style designed for seating and cargo, with options for 4x4 traction.
Key facts about the Ramcharger’s identity
- Two-door, full-size SUV produced by Dodge
- Built on the Dodge D-Series (truck) platform
- Body-on-frame construction
- Available with four-wheel drive and V8 power
- Marketed as an SUV, emphasizing people and gear-hauling with off-road capability
- Not a conventional pickup truck, though shares its chassis with Dodge trucks
In short, the Ramcharger is best understood as a truck-based SUV rather than a traditional pickup.
How it relates to Dodge pickups
To place it in context, compare it with Dodge’s pickup offerings from the same era.
Key differences from a pickup
- Body style: Ramcharger is a two-door SUV; pickups have a separate cargo bed
- Intended use: Ramcharger prioritizes passenger space and off-road versatility; pickups prioritize payload and cargo hauling
- Platform: Ramcharger uses a truck-based, body-on-frame SUV platform; pickups use the same or similar chassis but without the SUV body
- Market positioning: Ramcharger marketed as a rugged family SUV; pickups marketed as work-oriented trucks
These distinctions illustrate why the Ramcharger sits in the SUV category, even though it shares its underpinnings with Dodge’s trucks.
Historical timeline and legacy
A brief historical outline helps situate the Ramcharger in automotive history.
- Introduced in 1974 as a two-door full-size SUV
- Produced through 1993 with several updates and powertrain options
- Offered with four-wheel drive and robust V8 engines for capability
- Not directly replaced by a like-for-like model; Dodge later shifted emphasis to other SUV lines
Today, the Ramcharger is celebrated by collectors as a quintessential example of a truck-based SUV from the late 20th century.
Summary
The Ramcharger’s identity as a truck-based SUV clarifies its place in automotive history. It is best described as a full-size, body-on-frame SUV built on Dodge’s truck chassis, providing passenger space and off-road capability rather than pure cargo-hauling in a pickup bed. This distinction helps collectors and enthusiasts evaluate its value and restoration needs today.
What is a Dodge Charger considered?
A Dodge Charger is a type of muscle car, specifically a four-door, full-size performance sedan that has been part of Dodge's lineup since 2006. It combines a traditional muscle car's powerful performance with the practicality of a sedan for everyday use.
- Class: Muscle car/performance sedan.
- Body style: Four-door sedan.
- Performance: Known for high-performance engine options, including V6 and powerful V8 engines, and for 2024 and beyond, it will also be available in a fully electric version.
- Market position: It is considered a unique model in its class because it offers the performance of a muscle car with the added practicality of four doors and more passenger space.
Is a Ramcharger a truck?
RAM 1500 RAMCHARGER Disclaimers
Based on Full-Size Battery Electric Pickup Trucks with Gas-Powered Onboard Generator Range Extending Technology.
How much is the Ramcharger truck?
The average transaction cost of a full-size pickup truck right now is around $65,000, so expect the base model of the new Ramcharger to come in at around $70,000 to $75,000 when it arrives in the second half of 2025.
How is the Ramcharger different than a RAM 1500?
While the REV is a conventional battery-electric vehicle, the Ramcharger goes in a different direction, with a relatively modest 92 kWh battery pack augmented by a 130-kW generator and an onboard 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 gasoline engine.
