Said to be from North Carolina, this Ramcharger is a #11 on a 1-10 scale of desirability for these unique SUVs, for its apparent condition and the engine under the hood. This 1975 Dodge Ramcharger 4×4 with a 440 V8 is posted here on craigslist in West Babylon, New York, and the seller is asking $29,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Zen for the tip!
Medium Blue metallic and White, I don’t see a flaw anywhere on this Ramcharger, or at least from what is visible in the photos. The seller breaks all the hard-and-fast craigslist rules by providing outstanding photos and plenty of them. Well done! There are even several underside photos, showing just how nice this rig is under there. This was not a Northeast or upper-Midwest truck by the looks of it. I had a 1976 Ramcharger, and it was a rusty piece of junk for the most part. There was either a hardtop or a soft top available, and by this point, the doors had full frames, unlike the early versions.
I think a set of factory wheels/rims/tires/wheel covers would look great on this one, but that’s just me. Here’s a brochure showing the 1975 Dodge Ramchargers. The first-generation Ramcharger was made from 1974 through 1980, and Dodge offered this special “Four by Four” model with the bold graphics, but I believe it was only for the 1977 and 1978 “Macho” Ramchargers. This one has been repainted, so maybe those graphics were added? We don’t know, but the seller will take phone calls in case anyone needs more info, more photos, or a video. We saw one in Light Green (lime green) two years ago here on Barn Finds, but this one is nicer. It’s also much more expensive.
Other than some wrinkling on the driver’s seat, the seller says the interior is “pretty original,” so we don’t know if it’s had new upholstery or not. The back seat is said to hold three, making this a five-seater, but those three people had dang well better be close friends to all fit on that rear bench seat. This is the only photo showing the rear cargo area, but as with the rest of this beautiful blue 4×4, it looks fantastic, although the hatch door doesn’t lock. The seller went way above most sellers in providing a VIN, and it decodes exactly as they say, which is fantastic. Hagerty is at $29,300 for a #3 good-condition example with a 440.
This is the big engine for this SUV, a 440-cu.in. OHV V8 with 235 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque when new. It’s backed by a TorqueFlite automatic and NP203 transfer case, sending power to all four wheels as needed. The seller says it runs and drives well and has a clean North Carolina title. Any thoughts on this 4×4?
Ah, 440 day, Chryslers biggest stick. Seemingly everything Chrysler made, eventually got a 440. From Dodge Darts to dump trucks. While in a 6 pack RoadRunner, it was impressive, in these applications, it was kind of a slug. These had some pulling advantages, but for most, the small block did just fine. This is a single digit mileage vehicle, WITHOUT the front axle, gpm with.These weren’t any different than the other full size offerings at the time. They were all good trucks with pickup guts. with only 140,000 sold, it was far behind Ford or Chevy. Like the author, I doubt many bought another.
Good point Howard… And, all the grunt of the big motor in a 4wd, obviously stresses out driveline and components. That’s why I maintain a secret of Toyota reliability.. (and we’ve owned 4)… they’re almost always underpowered. 💁♂️
According to Automobile Catalog, it got 9.2 MPG! Ouch. 0-60 took 9.9 seconds, so you didn’t get blazing acceleration either. This was definitely designed as a work truck.
Looks good. I remember when they first came out; they were popular almost immediately. Most ran a 318, with some getting a 360. I only ever saw one with a 400 but I never did see one with a 440, unless it was installed later. I guess it’s whatever floats your boat. That 203 transfer case was somewhat of an achilles heel; GM also used the 203 and it took a while before the powers that be widened out the chain. We installed new chains in GMs and Dodges like they were going out of style.
When I ordered my ’79 GMC, I ordered Part-time 4×4 because I did NOT want that chain that the NP203 used. Unfortunately, I had to switch to the 203 or else lose the order, and I wasn’t impressed with the proposed changes coming to the ’80 models…
Hey, how about that? It posted this comment…
Don’t, you’ll jinx it, ( holding breath waiting until THIS post clears). I wrote the boss, and got back to me, apparently they have spent some time trying, I’m not entirely sure it’s on their end, and perhaps our “rural” location with “Backwoods Innernet”, may be the cause. I have stopped with any kind of link, and sometimes pictures still cause a fuss. with all its shortcomings( Jesse thinking WHAT SHORTCOMINGS?), it’s still the best place on the web, ( whispering, unless you and I get that classic truck site up and running,,,,) Nothing yet,,,( and nervously hitting submit)
Always preferred the gear drive t-cases for smoothness of operation, in my limited experience geo. As far as toughness I thought they have the edge too, but my mechanic buddy gives the nod to chains inside. 💁♂️
Scotty/ Zen, This is a very nice truck! I don’t recall seeing these graphics or realizing the 440 was a Ramcharger option. I really like the white wagon wheels that were ultra popular as well. I put chrome wagon wheels and 33’s on my 79 F250 4X4…the one and only time i put aftermarket wheels and tires on my daily driver trucks. It seems the rust color was popular after a couple years of use.
in 78 or 79 a guy I worked with bought a new Plymouth Top Hand Trail Duster that was an absolutely beautiful orange over white. That was a great looking truck. If I remember correctly it had the 360 and the full top was removable.
A friend of mine had a original 440 Ramcharger back in 1990-96. It was a nice original truck that got driven daily
I currently have 5 Ramchargers.None are Rusty junk. From 75, 76,77, 79s from 318, 360 and 440. I get asked if I’ll sell any. My response is a stern no.
Remembering how my Ramcharger’s body held up to NC winters with all the salt on the highways, the buyer might want to walk around this one with a magnet.
These 5 Ramchargers are all California vehicles. Why they are in such great shape.
Kids often call them Blazers or Broncos and they are very surprised when I take the metal roofs off. I bought them for really cheap at the right exact time before the rush. My ’77 440 SE has the rare Rod Hall off road suspension on it from Mopar Performance with the dual shocks. I had 4 other of these trucks in the past. Two of which were the Trail Dusters. I had two half doors One a TD and another a RC SE.
I really love them for off roading/hunting.
Also the full time when it’s muddy out and my friends have to get out of theirs to turn their hubs. I laugh and laugh every time.
The first 440 Ramcharger I have seen without factory A/C. I have a ’78 Ramcharger in this same color (think it is B6 paint code). Mine is two tone, with baby blue on the side between the upper and lower trim moldings. Sold new in Phoenix Arizona, but has been here in southern California since around 1985. Love mine. Whoever gets this will be very happy.
According to the brochure, the exact opposite – a 6 cylinder – was also available in these. I’ll bet there were more of these built with the 440 than the 6.
Also, I had never seen one of these as a soft top until seeing the one in the brochure.
I worked for Dodge Dealers when the Ramchargers were still new on the lot.
I got to do test drives. I just couldn’t afford one back then. I used to buy muscle cars back then when they were alot cheaper.
I had to wait until 1994 before I could.buy my first one. A ’74 half doors Trail Duster for $2,000.
My 87 with the 318 got similar MPG to my Winnebago 24foot class C motor home that has the 6.8 liter V10! 10 mpg with a tailwind!
But, I loved it and miss it!
My 79 with a 360 gets 15 mpg.
My 77 with a 440 gets 9 mpg.
Both have smiles per gallon
Yep, vehicle fun / enjoyment is what it’s all about.
Considering MPG when shopping for a Ramcharger / Trailduster is not happening.
Same as buying the 440 over the 318 – you find the right tool for the job.
My 79 with a 360 gets 15 mpg.
My 77 with a 440 gets 9 mpg.
Both have smiles per gallon
I love this one despite the price. Problem is that I love it too much. Too nice to risk using off road for me.
There’s way more risk on the public roads than out in the off roads! I won’t even take any of my vehicles to California clownshow roads!
I certainly won’t argue with you on that one!
No real risk to use off road unless you love those trails those crazy kids like. I find them extremely surefooted and capable. Running with Blazers, Broncos and shortbed pickups I had no issues and often came out without a scratch. I have one for going to the shows, one for desert racing and one for the rough wheelin’/hunting.
I picked up another 2 and started to restore one and the other is everything but the engine, trans and t case. I have a barn full of parts and great motors I had stumbled onto over the years. I have had lots of vehicles over the decades but these things are the best utility off road all weather trucks I have ever owned hands down!
In the part of Arizona I live in it’s almost impossible to not scratch up your vehicle when you go off road. That’s why last time I bought a 4×4 I bought an early Grand Cherokee that the Arizona sun had already destroyed most of the paint. I didn’t have to worry about scratches so it made adventures more relaxed and enjoyable. Around here this Ramcharger is too darn nice looking for me to use as a 4×4. Years ago I had a 72 Power Wagon. 318 and automatic. It wasn’t a power house but it was an absolutely great truck!
Yeah I have 2 Power Wagons also.
Out here in Northern Nevada we don’t have alot to scratch up vehicles. In the spots that do have we wax the hell out of the sides and it comes clean afterwards.
I live in Prescott Arizona. About 100 miles north of Phoenix and the elevation is around 5500. There’s a lot of trees and brush here. When I lived in Phoenix a few decades ago I had a 4×4 Ranger someone repainted white. There was not nearly as much of the type of terrain there to scratch it up like in Prescott though. I was 3 decades younger and waxed that baby about once a month. Stuff would mostly glide down the sides because it was so smooth. Stuff that did put scruffs in it were barely noticeable because it was white and heavily waxed. You’re right, that helps. My 72 W100 had been repainted kind of a baby blue enamel and I kept it waxed to death to. Neither my Ranger or my Dodge were powerhouse vehicles but both got the job done nicely on the road and off the road.