Many of you remember 1978. Some of you weren’t born yet, but for a good portion of the Barn Finds family of readers, we were alive, and coincidently, Stayin’ Alive was still a big-selling record that year, back when there were still actual records. Yes, it was the disco era and a lot of men wore tight pants, silk shirts unbuttoned halfway down their chest, and a big medallion around their neck. That was the thing for a lot of men. As was the color green on this 1978 Dodge Ramcharger.
Now, it’s a skinny blue suit and brown shoes, I don’t know which fashion era is better, or worse. This Citron Green Metallic paint with the FOUR by FOUR graphics on the sides is about as good as it gets for me. I wasn’t quite as lucky when I had a 1976 Ramcharger in red with woodgrain bodyside molding, and almost as much rust as anything else. This example appears solid for the most part, and this FOUR by FOUR was actually a special edition by Dodge.
Dodge offered the Ramcharger from 1974 through 2001 in various countries, but we got them until around 1993. The seller says this example has been repainted within the last three or four years, which explains why it looks so nice. They say it has no rust on the body panels, but the floorboards have either been replaced or have been patched in areas, and there’s some (somewhat scary) rust underneath – they have provided a video here on YouTube.
The interior appears clean and nice for the most part. They provide some underside photos along with the YouTube video so you can see what things look like in the non-shiny areas. The seats look great both front and rear as does the dash and other areas inside. I’d have the seats and carpet out of this one pronto to assess the condition of the floors and other hidden areas, as it comes from the northeast where snow is a big thing.
The engine is Dodge’s 360-cu.in. OHV V8, which would have been factory-rated at 175 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque when new. It sends power through a TorqueFlite automatic and an NP203 two-speed transfer case to all four wheels all the time, as the FOUR by FOUR name suggests. My 360-powered Ramcharger got 6 mpg but I’m guessing this one does much better than that. They have it listed here on eBay in Huntington Station, New York, there is no reserve, and the current bid price is $10,100. I paid $1,500 for my Ramcharger in 1982 but it was a rusty junkbomb after only six years of being on the road. This one certainly looks like a nicer rig. Any thoughts on this “FOUR by FOUR” version?
It was also the era of Smokey and the bandit,Trucker movies, Urban Cowboy,where I grew up most people wore Western wear, especially driving something like this..
I really love these in this color. So nice on the outside but after watching video I see some cover up on the frame, and what looks like major rust in places. I would never buy this one site unseen.
I think lock out hubs will get it a little better MPG
I’d like at this time, to applaud the authors post and shows his professional attitude, but he is way too skimpy on the details of the one he owned. I’ll omit the expletives, but I’m pretty sure it was the worst vehicle he has ever owned. In lieu of that, I can accept his transition to foreign cars. The Ramcharger, and lessor known Plymouth Trail Duster, had some big shoes to fill. With the Blazer K5 such a hit, it’s as if Chrysler execs said, “dang, we better get on this 4×4 bandwagon soon”, and seemingly, hastily concocted the Ramcharger. Can’t leave Plymouth out, and was actually a nice truck. I think it shared all the misgivings of full sized 4x4s, and was basically a Dodge pickup, with a great history of its own. My 1980 Bronco didn’t get much better mileage either.
Ah, but twas not all lost, as Chrysler knew, at the time, big 4x4s were history, the money was in the new up and coming minivan, that more than made up for the big 4×4 losses and quietly put the Ramcharger out to pasture.
The Trail Duster (and Voyager Van) didn’t last long but the Ramcharger hung in until ’93. We had a Canyon Sport model at the other store but never stocked any at our little dealer. By that time we were granted the Jeep franchise and they were off and running. Good looking rig this one is.
Cool truck! That tach…factory? It’s HUGE…I own a ‘78 1 ton and thought I’d seen everything. Also a little concerning are the holes under the left side of the dash; mine has a switch for the extra gas tank and another (factory) switch for accessory lights. That gold switch is for…? Where is the gas pedal??
Just sayin…
Monogram had a model kit of this vehicle when I was a kid. I always thought they were pretty cool. But being a Plymouth man, I’ve always wanted a Trail Duster. I bought a Red Wagon to haul parts in when I go to the swap meets. I bought a pair of Trail Duster emblems and put them on my wagon. With the knobby tires, they look pretty cool.
It has all the looks of being in the body shop even the primer overspray on the steering wheel and under the hood. Right now its a nice looking vehicle
It’s pretty but definitely had some amateur rust repair done, the rear wheel openings and body lines on the quarters are not right at all. I suspect the rust will rear it’s ugly head again in the near future.
Auction update: this green machine sold for $16,500!