What was the first year of the Dodge Ramcharger?
The Dodge Ramcharger’s first model year was 1974.
The Ramcharger was introduced in 1974 as a two-door, full-size SUV built on Dodge’s D-Series pickup chassis. It was Dodge’s answer to rugged, off-road capable rivals like the Ford Bronco and Chevrolet Blazer, and it would endure in two generations through the early 1990s before production ended.
Origins and first generation (1974–1981)
The Ramcharger debuted for the 1974 model year, riding on the D-Series truck platform to offer a two-door wagon-like body with four-wheel-drive options. It aimed to combine everyday practicality with off-road capability, appealing to buyers who wanted a capable SUV with the durability of a pickup. The first generation persisted through the late 1970s and into the early 1980s, evolving with styling and feature updates while keeping the core concept intact.
Platform and design
Built on Dodge’s light-duty truck chassis, the Ramcharger leveraged familiar mechanicals from the Dodge truck lineup while presenting a distinct SUV silhouette and removable or semi-removable elements in some trims, catering to both utility and adventure use.
Model-year scope
Throughout its first generation, Dodge refined options and trims, with production continuing up to the 1981 model year as the company evolved the vehicle’s packaging and equipment.
Second generation and later years (1982–1993)
A second generation arrived in the early 1980s, bringing refreshed styling, updated interiors, and the same two-door, four-wheel-drive ethos. The Ramcharger continued to be offered as a rugged, off-road-ready SUV through the early 1990s, before Dodge ended the nameplate in 1993 as the brand shifted its SUV lineup toward newer designs.
Styling and features
During the second generation, Dodge updated exterior styling cues to align with contemporary pickups, while maintaining interior practicality and the off-road capability that defined the Ramcharger.
End of production
Ramcharger production concluded in 1993, marking the end of a distinctive era of two-door, truck-based SUVs from Dodge. The brand later refocused its SUV offerings, leading up to later models like the Durango in the following years.
Legacy and context
Today, the Ramcharger is remembered as a classic example of Dodge’s early SUV efforts, emblematic of 1970s and 1980s American off-road culture. Enthusiasts value original examples for their straightforward, rugged design and their place in the broader history of sport-utility vehicles in the United States.
Summary
The Dodge Ramcharger first appeared as a 1974 model year vehicle, and over its lifespan it evolved through two generations—from 1974–1981 and 1982–1993—before production ceased in 1993. It remains a notable chapter in Dodge’s SUV history and a familiar name for collectors and enthusiasts.
