3
0
Large SUV; Built in Mexico
  • 2-door wagon
  • longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $1,000 – $2,300*


1991 Dodge Ramcharger


1993 Dodge Ramcharger


1993 Dodge Ramcharger


1993 Dodge Ramcharger


1993 Dodge Ramchanger

Pros:
  • 4WD traction
  • Passenger and cargo room
  • Trailer-towing capability
Cons:
  • Fuel economy
  • Handling
  • Maneuverability
  • Ride

All in all, a compact sport-utility like the Ford Explorer or Jeep Grand Cherokee makes more sense than a Ramcharger or any other full-size SUV.

Overview

Dodge’s big sport-utility was available in either 2-wheel-drive or 4-wheel-drive format. An optional fuel-injected 5.9-liter V8 had arrived in 1989, joining the fuel-injected 5.2-liter. The smaller engine developed 170 horsepower, while the bigger V8 made 190. A new 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission also debuted for 1989, and was the sole choice for 2WD models. 4WD Ramchargers might have either 4-speed manual shift or the automatic. Both 2WD and 4WD versions came in basic 150S form and in slightly better-equipped 150 trim. Automatic-locking hubs were standard on 4x4s. Rear-wheel antilock brakes were standard, but worked only in 2WD. Rated half-ton capacity, Ramchargers had a full metal body and a top hinged tailgate. Five or six people fit inside. Front bucket seats and a folding 3-place rear bench were standard, but an optional front bench boosted seating capacity to six.

Yearly Updates

1991 Ramcharger
Ramchargers gained a new, bolder grille for 1991, along with clear park/turn-signal lenses, a redesigned back bumper and greater towing capacity. The familiar Ram’s-head hood ornament was gone, however. New exterior trim included lower-bodyside and wheel lip moldings. The rear bench also added a split seatback to complement its fold-down feature.
1992 Ramcharger
A 5-speed manual gearbox for 4WD models arrived for 1992, when the base V8 engine rose from 170 to 230 horsepower. The 190 horsepower, 5.9-liter engine remained optional.
1993 Ramcharger
The optional 5.9-liter V8 got a power boost in the Ramcharger’s final season, to the same 230 horsepower as the smaller base engine. Torque output of the optional V8 jumped to 325 pound-feet. No more manual transmissions were installed, so all final Ramchargers had the 4-speed automatic.

Engines

longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive

Ramchargers came with either of two V8 engines: 5.2- or 5.9-liter. The 5.2-liter V8 rose from 170 to 230 horsepower for the 1992 model year. The optional 5.9-liter experienced similar growth, to the same 230 horsepower, for ’93.

ohv V8
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 5.2/318
Engine HP 170
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 260
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed manual
4-speed automatic 		11/14
13/16
ohv V8
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 5.9/360
Engine HP 190-230
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 292-325
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed manual
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic		 9/12
9/13
12/16

13.9
ohv V8
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 5.2/318
Engine HP 230
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 280
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic 		12/15
13/17 		14.5

Road Test

Suited to the brawniest challenges, Ramchargers do well at heavy tasks. They can tow a trailer up to 6500 or even 7500 pounds with the optional V8, and hold more than 105 cubic feet of cargo.

On the downside, Ramcharger rides and handles like the big truck it is. Piloting this behemoth around town can be a pain. Abundant ground clearance can make the driver feel like king of the open road, but through urban locales it’s more like maneuvering a battleship. Small cars can hide near its flanks, for one thing, out of sight from the driver’s seat. Getting in or out isn’t so easy either, due to the tall ride height; but once inside, you have plenty of room to move around. However, lack of rear doors restricts access to the back seat. The dashboard is refreshingly simple, and the 4WD system is easier to use than in some smaller 4x4s.

Fuel economy is no bonus, as expected. Early models with automatic and the optional V8 engine earned even worse EPA gas-mileage estimates than the later engines, and you cannot necessarily expect to match those amounts anyway.

In everyday driving, the 5.2-liter will handle any requirement with ease–especially with the extra power added for 1992. The 5-speed manual gearbox added that year brings a little more versatility than the prior 4-speed.

Ratings

Model Tested: 1993 Dodge Ramcharger

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 4
40%
Fuel Economy - 1
10%
Ride Quality - 3
30%
Steering/Handling - 3
30%
Quietness - 3
30%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 3
30%
Room/Comfort Front - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Rear - 3
30%
Cargo Room - 6
60%

Other

Value - 3
30%

Total: 35

Specifications

2-door wagon
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
106.0 188.8 79.5 70.5
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
105.7 34.0 6
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
37.0 34.0 43.0 36.0
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: N/A

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Front Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision N/A
Injury N/A
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Engine misfire
Description: Intermittent power loss, delayed start, no-start, and stalling when starting from a stop may be due to inadequate fuel pressure requiring a pump module with larger filter. (1991-93)
Engine misfire
Description: The oil pump drive gear may wear causing bucking, surging, pinging, and/or lack of power (cold engine). (1992-93)
Engine misfire
Description: A faulty idle air control motor may cause erratic idle and stalling after hot soak or during low-speed deceleration. (1992-93)
Engine noise
Description: A lifter noise on 3.9-liter engines may be corrected by replacing the timing chain and sprockets with a double-roller chain. (1992-93)
Fuel gauge
Description: The fuel gauge may read lower than actual fuel level. The in-tank module must be replaced. (1991-93)

Recall History

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 2, 2014.
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