The Dodge Rampage was a cross between a compact truck and a “gentlemen’s pickup” – like an El Camino, but only smaller. And with front-wheel-drive instead of RWD like most trucks. Perhaps the demand wasn’t there as Dodge only produced the Rampage for three years. This first-year example from 1982 is nice overall and ready to keep earning its pay. Located in Merrillan, Wisconsin, this little workhorse is available here on eBay where the starting bid is $3,500 and the Buy It Now price is $5,195.
Dodge borrowed from the Chrysler L-platform unibody that was used by the Omni 024 to come up with a small truck that was similar to the VW Rabbit Sportruck and Subaru Brat rather than the Ford Courier. To get as much mileage out of the endeavor as possible, Plymouth offered a rebadged version of the Rampage for a single year, 1983, and called it the Scamp. The truck’s payload capacity was 1,145 lbs. which was not far off from the bigger El Camino’s 1,250 lb. rating. The Rampage was powered by a 2.2-liter I-4 that was carbureted and produced 84 hp in 1982.
The seller’s pickup has been used sparingly over the years across three owners and less than 47,000 miles. It has the basic 4-speed manual transmission as a 5-speed wasn’t available until 1983. We’re told the truck runs and drives as it should. It has a new alternator, newer tires, and only one working windshield wiper (fortunately on the driver’s side).
The Rampage has been repainted and the finish looks to be holding up just fine. There is no rust to speak of except for a teenie bit of the surface variety in the bed which no doubt hauled stuff from time to time. The interior has held up well, too, and the carpeting has been replaced. The seller has arranged with a dealer to handle the sale of the vehicle, so perhaps some extra paperwork will be required. It’s a shame that only about 41,000 of the Rampages and Scamps were sold because the truck sounded like just what the market needed. A half-ton rating and nearly 30 mph on the highway. What’s not to love?
My dad had this identical ’82 Rampage Black/red when i was a kid. Remember doing a long multistate road trip in it. It was a good little rig. Mom had the car version of it, a ’83 Plymouth Turismo 2.2. in silver. I remember that they both ate their headgaskets at around 80,000 miles.
My Dad had a black/red one like this too, but I think it had a 5-speed which would make it an ’83 model, plus turbine-styled machined-face alloy wheels and a black vinyl tonneau cover over the bed. Did all the hauling duty he needed as a homeowner and volunteer church groundskeeper, meanwhile serving as a stylish, economical and nice-handling work commuter and second household vehicle.
One of the nicest examples I’ve seen. Wish it were closer to me.
Always wondered what they made red interiors from during that time frame. Everyone car you see with a red interior, it’s faded to a rather putrid burgundy.
i’d never load it w/a half ton of… even feathers, but I’d daily the heck out of it.
Early ’60s chero, BRAT, some of the ’80s/90s japanese (suki, geo, etc) scamp, are perfect for me (500 – 750# cargo or less). Low mileage parts/around town rigs (I’ve even used station wagons, 1, a lill ’04 Focus, to carry pallet loaded motors, forked right in thru the liftgate) can stay home for long 4 day wkends hrs away (that’s what the cruiser is for).
Nice price too (2, 3K $ is better acourse). Like to see more of it.
I see you’re still working on that language thing. Keep trying…
Positive reinforcement. Noted.
New = Cheap, practical, handy, errand runner, and fun to drive.
Of course, NOT a REAL truck, however took care of 90%
of the needs.
Had an 83 Rampage 2.2 with the 5speed. Red with the graphics package. Sharp little truck. MPG was 38 with factory cruise. No A/C. I put a sunroof and a sliding back window in it. Bought the truck new in 83 for $6700. Wish I had it back. Easy to work on everything was on the front side of the engine.
I done the service work on one from the time it went out of Dealer warranty. The owner put on the miles. I remember it was at 250,000 and nothing wrong but he wanted my shop to take it down and replace all the bearings and anything else I could find. I have never seen anything like this since, no wear anywhere. Not so much as a cylinder edge groove. It broke my heart because I just wanted to see what he could get before he needed to do a fix. Guessing he could have made it to 500,000 before any expense. But we rebuilt the engine and sure enough he complained about the Gass mileage going down 2 miles to the gallon.lol I am not sure if his family ran it a bunch after but he passed a few years later and they never said.
Gotta love that rubber band shifter.
i’ve got one of these and i have loaded 1000lbs in her and she never flinched.
i hate the 4spd and the feed back carb, so there is a rusted out shelby charger sitting in the next bay donating all it’s organs to the rampage. i even gain a/c and intermittent wipers. now if i could only round up one of the split rear windows, i would be set.
this one looks sweet.
and his buy it now is a real good number.
I had an 83, 2.2 5 speed. I used to tow a 14 ft speed boat with it no problem. A little tricky on a wet ramp pulling the boat out though. I too saw 38 miles per gallon at times. Sold it and the second owner put over 100,000 miles on it no problem. Great little truck.
Russ, look above the rear wheel wells for lots of bubbling rust!
I bought a new one when they were introduced- burgundy w/dark red interior, PS, PB, Auto. & A/C. It was comfortable and carried my foldup estimating ladder, but one of the front brake pads kept wearing out. Dealer only changed the pad – did not fix the problem. Surely just a stuck caliper piston. Did it about 3 times so after about 2 yrs., I traded it. It really needed another 25+ HP, but i liked it.
The seller must be happy w/ the bids he sees coming in b/c the Buy It Now price is MIA… unless I missed it.
I always wonder what a new coat of paint is hiding. Maybe I’m paranoid. I wouldn’t be paranoid if everyone weren’t out to get me, though.
Cool Caruck.
The 5 speed is a bolt in upgrade. Back in the day you could find any Charger/TC3 / Omni/Horizon with a 5 speed and away you go. Take the rod shifter parts too. Better than cable deal. I might have those rods in my attic.
I had a 83 Scamp. Did swap. Fun ride.