Is a Dodge Rampage RWD?
No. The Dodge Rampage was a front-wheel-drive compact pickup built on the Omni/Horizon platform, and there were no factory rear-wheel-drive variants.
A quick look at the Rampage's drivetrain
The Rampage debuted in the early 1980s as a two-door coupe-pickup that shared engineering with Dodge’s K-car family. Its design prioritized efficient packaging and front-end performance, which aligned with the front-wheel-drive architecture of its siblings.
Core drivetrain characteristics
Key facts about how the Rampage was powered and how it sent torque to the wheels:
- Drive layout: front-wheel drive (FWD) on all known Rampage configurations.
- Engine options: typically a 2.2-liter inline-four, with turbo variants offered in some markets.
- Transmissions: manual and automatic options were available, depending on model year and trim.
- All-wheel drive: not offered as a factory option; no Rampage model shipped with AWD or RWD.
In short, the Rampage stayed with front-wheel-drive throughout its production life, a hallmark of its era’s small Dodge lineup.
Common questions and misconceptions
Readers sometimes wonder about offshoots or rumors of different drivetrains. Here are the clarifications you’re most likely to encounter.
- Belief that Rampage was rear-wheel-drive: incorrect; every Rampage variant used FWD.
- Rumors of a 4x4 Rampage: there was no factory 4x4 Rampage model.
- Confusion with other Dodge pickup lines: the Rampage should be understood as a front-wheel-drive, coupe-like pickup, not a traditional rear-wheel-drive truck.
Clarifying these points helps place the Rampage in its historical context as a product of the early 1980s front-wheel-drive era.
Current status of the Rampage name
As of the latest available information, the Rampage name is tied to historical Dodge models rather than a current production line. There has been no modern Dodge Rampage that reinstates a rear-wheel-drive configuration; the nameplate remains a reference to the brand’s past compact pickup offering.
Summary
The Dodge Rampage is not a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. It was designed around front-wheel drive from its inception, sharing a platform with Dodge’s Omni/Horizon family. There were no factory RWD or AWD Rampage variants, and the name has not been revived as a new RWD pickup in recent years. Its legacy is as a distinctive, front-drive, coupe-pickup from the early 1980s era.
Are chargers FWD or RWD?
The Dodge Charger is primarily a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) car, but some V6 models can be equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD). The most recent Charger models can also be configured to switch between AWD and RWD, depending on the trim level and driving conditions. The Charger has never been offered in a front-wheel-drive (FWD) version.
This video explains the difference between RWD and AWD Dodge Chargers, including performance and maintenance considerations: 45sDriven By KendoYouTube · Jul 8, 2025
- Rear-wheel drive (RWD): This is the standard and traditional layout for the Charger, prioritizing performance and handling.
- All-wheel drive (AWD): Available on some V6 models and in certain newer configurations, AWD adds traction and stability for slippery conditions.
- Switchable AWD/RWD: Newer, higher-performance models can switch between full-time AWD for maximum traction and RWD for performance driving, such as burnouts.
Is the Dodge Rampage front-wheel drive?
Rampage's 2.2-liter Trans-4 engine was designed specifically for both front-wheel drive and transverse (sideway) mounting. It's one of the big reasons for Rampage's smooth, quiet performance.
What engine is in a 1984 Dodge Rampage?
2.2 L carbureted inline-four engine
The Rampage was available with a Chrysler-built and designed 2.2 L carbureted inline-four engine with 84 hp (63 kW) to 99 hp (74 kW) depending on the year, a curb weight of around 2,400 lb (1,100 kg) and used a four-speed manual transmission or three-speed automatic transmission.
Are Dodge rampages rare?
Turns out it was a Dodge Rampage, a subcompact pickup truck produced from 1982–1984. It was designed to be a car-like truck that combined the handling of a passenger car with the load capacity of a small pickup truck – Dodge's answer to the Chevy El Camino. Only 37,000 were made.
