- Seller: Gabriel B
- Location: Statesboro, Georgia
- Mileage: 71,679 Shown
- Chassis #: IB7EZ44C3ED357I94
- Title Status: Missing
When a vehicle achieves a five-figure sales total during a three-year production run, it is fair to classify it as relatively rare. That is the story of the Dodge Rampage, and this 1984 edition is from the final year. It requires restoration, but it is a solid and complete vehicle representing a rewarding and practical project for someone considering a first build. The current owner has run out of time to return this gem to its former glory, listing it exclusively with us at Barn Finds Auctions.
Dodge introduced the Rampage in 1982, basing its new model on Chrysler’s L-Platform. By utilizing front-wheel drive technology, the result was a light Pickup with a surprisingly deep bed. However, it failed to hit the sweet spot, with potential customers drawn to the Subaru Brat and larger variants, like the Chevrolet El Camino. It remained in production for three years, with our feature Rampage rolling off the line as the end drew near for the badge. Its original Garnet paint with Black lower body extremities has seen better days, and a cosmetic refresh will be high on the winning bidder’s agenda. However, they won’t face hours of rust repairs because, apart from some areas of surface corrosion, there is no steel penetration. Some bumps and bruises might require attention before the buyer wields their spray gun, but there are no issues demanding panel replacement. The glass is in good order, and the alloy wheels should respond positively to work with a high-quality metal polish.
On paper, the Rampage seemed to offer a relatively modest mechanical package. However, digging below the surface revealed some innovative thinking. The engine bay houses a 2.2-liter four that sends 96hp and 119 ft/lbs of torque to the front wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. The Rampage can’t carry the sheer load volume of larger Pickups, but it still offered versatility not available from most Station Wagons. Its load-carrying capacity exposed one piece of clever engineering that improved safety. Dodge equipped the vehicle with power-assisted front disc brakes, with drums at the rear. Whatever an owner loaded into the bed could potentially impact braking stability, but Dodge’s solution to address potential shortcomings was elegantly simple. It positioned a lever-operated brake proportioning valve between the rear axle and the bed. As the load increased, the valve opened progressively to feed more braking load to the back. Emptying the bed closed the valve, reducing the tendency for rear-wheel locking under heavy braking. There is plenty of good news for potential buyers with our feature Dodge. The owner recently fitted new tires and fresh front calipers. The brakes require bleeding, which is a straightforward task. It runs and rolls, but the tasks required to return it to a roadworthy state include a carburetor rebuild, a fuel system clean, and a thorough inspection. None of those jobs will consume a pile of cash, and a few weekends of tinkering in a home workshop should see this Rampage take its rightful place on our roads.
The Rampage’s interior is complete, although the owner admits he removed the door trims to address an ongoing sticking issue with the doors. A solution has thus far eluded him, but a fresh set of eyes might be all that is required to make the problem a distant memory. The seats have deteriorated, and other issues can be attributed to UV exposure. However, returning the inside of this classic to a presentable state could be affordable for a buyer on a tight budget. Consolidating the driver’s seat damage by gluing a vinyl patch and installing a set of slipcovers wouldn’t cost a fortune. A new carpet set retails for $150, and a dash cover would lighten the new owner’s wallet by around $60. Installing those items wouldn’t result in as-new presentation, but the interior would be tidy and serviceable for under $400. The factory radio has made way for a radio/cassette player, and I’m sure the new owner will welcome the factory air conditioning.
The Dodge Rampage possessed all the ingredients to become a sales success but proved the automotive equivalent of a box office flop. Only 37,401 buyers handed over the cash during the entire production run, with 11,732 doing so in 1984. That makes these relatively rare beasts, and returning this one to active service brings a benefit many may not consider. The Rampage will cruise effortlessly on the open road at freeway speed while returning fuel consumption figures of 25mpg in the city and 40mpg on the highway. That makes it an excellent candidate for a daily driver or a commuter option. When we combine all of its positive attributes, submitting a bid on this Dodge makes perfect sense.
Bid On This Auction
- Rickeeto bid $1,050.00 2023-12-08 09:59:46
- MetalTiger bid $650.00 2023-12-07 20:56:33
- thecat bid $550.00 2023-12-07 09:37:40
- Rickeeto bid $400.05 2023-12-06 15:44:44
- thecat bid $300.01 2023-12-02 11:05:39
That is one rusty engine bay!!
Looks like they pulled it out from the bottom of a lake!
I don’t think that’s rust, more like red clay. Common in parts of Georgia and the Carolinas. In that neck of the woods quite a few vehicles are exposed to dusty environments.
can a lost title be applied for… impossible to import into canada without either a title OR a registration… something indicating ownership beyond a BOS
ty! gord
Getting a duplicate title in GA is very easy. Whoever the car was last titled to has to fill out a form, pay $8 and GA will send them a title.
Don’t need a title for 85 and older in Ga
Any information I see say 21 City, 28 hwy.
Does the AC work?
I had a 84, NO passing power, only got 24 mpg highway.
I had a Plymouth Turismo, ’84. Same vehicle with a different body, hatchback. had the 2.2 and it was a little rocket. Handle like a cheap sports car, which it was.
Hey I own the car I haven’t tested it and it’s all original, might just need to be recharged but id assume no
Have you applied for a duplicate title? It’s real easy in GA. $8 and one form.
No not yet I haven’t needed to if someone buys it who needs a title id be more than willing to help
Does it run? And if so does it run good enough to drive it away?
I owned an ’82 model. Excellent vehicle. Drove it for 3-4 years. Only problem I ever had with it was the carburetor. They are junk and difficult to find an alternative.
@BarnFinds admin: I don’t have a problem with your 5% buyer’s premium. But I do take issue with your $500 minimum on a vehicle like this. Auction ending price will not justify a $500 premium.
The same amount of work goes into selling a $1k car as it does a $10k car.
I always liked the Rampage. I don’t want to go “Perry Mason” but it would seem like the seller could run the vin and/or most recent registration so a buyer has a better chance of obtaining a title.
This would have a 5-speed, introduced for the ’83 model year after initially launching with a 4-speed for ’82 only. Surprisingly to many, these had a true half-ton payload capacity.
My dad had an ’83 Rampage for several years, a sharp looker in black with red pinstripes, machined-face turbine-style alloy wheels, alloy bed rails, and a black vinyl tonneau cover over the bed. It did all the occasional hauling duty he needed as a homeowner and volunteer church groundskeeper, meanwhile serving as a stylish, good-handling, and reasonably peppy work commuter and second household vehicle.
This could be a neat little project. I was in the biz many years when these mini fwd Chryslers came and went. Looks all there,for the most part anyway. Easy to work on. Issue with this one’s gonna be finding the interior items. But,as said you’ll have a cool small truck to use and enjoy. Georgia’s a bit far for me,have to think about it.
With a missing title this car is for parts only. GA may be easy to get a duplicate title, but finding the person to sign it over may be more difficult if they have moved or died. I am dealing with this situation right now. A friend sold his car to his father-in-law, who has since passed away. All he has to do is get his ex, who is the executor of the father-in-law’s estate, to sign over the duplicate title….
I like the car but without the title it’s a no go for me.
title only needed for out of state sale,
he’s gunna save a step unless needed.
I’d buy if running as I have no means of Getting out of state
(altho havea hobby of starting long dead vehicles)
If Georgia I like Utah then it’s easy enough to get a duplicate title. If it’s in the current owners name then just fill out application for duplicate title. If not the state DMV will send a registered letter to the last registered owner and either they sign the paper passing the car on to the new owner or if the letter comes back unopened, The DMV will issue a title to the new owner. Easy peasy. But the seller should take care of this before it goes to auction. Pretty cool lil truck. Personally I would find a newer 4 cyl motor that’s turbo charged and give it some power. Sure, It’s not worth what you’d spend to do this up right but it would make a great keeper. Hoping it will get the treatment it needs. Definitely not many out there. Would be cool.
In 1983 Carroll Shelby was building a rampage using a 2.6 mitzi .Chrysler used a ton of these in K cars. BEST of all it’s a HEMI! Plug Play When Carroll got word Chrysler was pulling the plug in 84 he QUIT the project
I am 6′ 2″, would I fit in this truck comfortable?