INCP--Dodge Rampage
Inappropriately Named Chrysler Products week continues ...
RAMPAGE!
It's the kind of word designed to be written in all-caps, possibly in red, with a bold typeface, certainly underlined, and ideally with more than one exclamation point. Spoken, it deserves to be either screamed or growled--again, ideally, it would be both, with the same kind of manic intensity normally reserved for the bellowing in monster truck commercials.
In short, rampage is an intense word, summoning up images of violence, uncontrollable power run amok, and hopeless desperation among its victims. Envision Godzilla rampaging through Tokyo, or the Incredible Hulk turning green and beginning his angst-ridden rampage through the U.S. military.
Bizarrely, the word also summons up the Dodge Rampage, the early 1980s spin-off of the Dodge Omni 024--a 2.2-liter, four-cylinder, two-seat mini-pickup truck that served as Chrysler's counterpoint to the little-remembered Volkswagen Rabbit pickup. For those who remember neither the Rampage or the Rabbit pickup, envision a smaller, much less powerful, less useful El Camino, and you'll be right on track.
The list of cars on which the appelation "Rampage" (RAMPAGE!) would be more appropriate would be a list of virtually every car ever made. Light, insubstantial, generally shoddily made, and with little power or hauling capacity, the Rampage was as slow as it was strange. As cars go, the Rampage was more Quasimodo than Frankenstein monster; about as intimidating as a sock monkey.
In what is no doubt becoming a familar refrain, I'm strangely attracted to this car. For one thing, the dichotomy between this car and its hyper-aggressive name would make it interesting to drive at least once. Besides, it is such a close cousin to the Dodge Shelby Charger, missing only a turbo engine, some striping, and a lovely fastback roofline, that I can't help but like it.
The top two photos are of an '82 Rampage for sale for $1,250 in South Carolina. The third is a pretty intriguing homemade Shelby version, meant to mimic the lovely and related Shelby Charger mentioned above. Now that version, if it had the turbocharged and intercooled 2.2-liter four cylinder, might be capable of a rampage or two.
RAMPAGE!
Scream it with me!
RAMPAGE!!1!!!1!
--Chris H.
delbro on June 02, 2008 at 03:21 PM
saw a hot rodded version of this in a magizine- it was just flat out bad@$$ made me look at the possibilities of taking a junker and making a demon outta it
c david hudson on June 21, 2008 at 12:09 PM
I also had more than one or two Rampages. I thought they were great...a vehicle ahead of its time..possibly. I mean how many full or even mini pickups use their carrying capacity most ofthe time? These little rascals will work for many people. I liked mine in the 80's so much that I just now bought another one on E-bay. Now how do I go about finding a tow bar bracket so I can tow it behind my motorhome? Any ideas out there. I would appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks cdavidhudson@yahoo.com
Chris Pauluk on July 16, 2008 at 09:39 AM
Hi there..
The rampage in he video you posted doin the california u turn is mine before I started tinkering witht he suspension/drivetrain..
You can use these pictures, their a little more flattering.. ;)
http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/RAMLET/?action=view¤t=2390mvc-898fORIGNAL.jpg
http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/RAMLET/?action=view¤t=MVC-902F.jpg
http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/RAMLET/?action=view¤t=HPIM0539small.jpg
http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/RAMLET/?action=view¤t=cowlhoodflatblack.jpg
I do agree that the name doesn't quite fit the trucklet, but I think it was kind of funny myself and thats a part of the trucks quorkyness..
I dubbed mine "Ramlet" ;)
take care
*Chris
Chris Hafner on July 16, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Thanks, Chris - I love the video. I kinda like the original photos, but absolutely - anybody who wants to look at a *nice* Rampage Chris' photos are great.
I wrote the post a bit tongue-in-cheek, but I kid because I love. I'd totally drive a Rampage.
derf on October 18, 2008 at 07:13 AM
I jost baught a 82 dodge rampage for $80 so far I have $500 into it and I can drive it leagal now. It also has a custom topper on it I also have a 86 glh and it still is running good
Mech495 on October 22, 2008 at 12:45 AM
I have three Rampages an 82,83,and an 84 4 speed, 5 speed, and automatic the 83 5 speed is by far the best,but I love them all.Handle great, great gas mileage, and I do like the looks.
erik on December 31, 2008 at 12:55 AM
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.allpar.com/images/dodge/omni-rampage/dodge-2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.allpar.com/omni/rampage/customized.html&usg=__DkhRih6pZxayfnHit8EJENZT-SA=&h=291&w=592&sz=25&hl=en&start=17&tbnid=xvs50KQ9aQMzFM:&tbnh=66&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddodge%2Brampage%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG
check this out
Gerry on January 15, 2009 at 06:03 PM
I have a 1984 Dodge Rampage with 220,000 miles on it. It requires constant tinkering, but has never left me stranded. Basic parts are cheap and available and it gets great gas milage. As it has now turned 25 years old, I have embarked on a campain to fix her up a little. Some body parts unique to this model are hard to find. The front wheel drive is great in snow but not too good in tight corners. The little truck will carry quite some load with no problem, but, as another owner told me, "I like it because it doesn't carry anything bigger than I feel like messing with"!
frank mckinney on February 14, 2009 at 05:29 AM
Got a red and orange 1982 rampage feb 2008. Paid $250 for one owner with 36,500 miles.
Had to put $500 in it. Getting little stuff done to it. Has ac and automatic and gage package. Runs great. Use it s a farm truck. Great for feeding cows and fixing fence. Only problem with it is want to vaper lock over 85 out.
Fun to drive gets mid 20's on gas. Fun little truck to drive.
frank
Ron Dawe on April 16, 2009 at 06:50 PM
have a 1983 Rampage Prospector for sale, $500 Canadian
real magnan on June 19, 2009 at 10:47 AM
read a little of these comment and i d ont agree with all these comments first i ran it at 195 klm per hrs now i d like to sell it
it s in very good running condition
how mutch e mail me
Rabid Turtle on July 15, 2009 at 02:55 PM
I have an 84 Rampage but it needs a whole new engine... we got the old corroborated one swapped out to a 2.2L turbo then the whole thing went to shit from there.. I still love it though it needs a lot of work. The body is in great shape which is a plus just have to find a brand new 4l fuel injected engine to put in to it.. fuck the turbo that caused nothing but problems and now the guys who did it wont do shit to help us get her running again..
Clark on July 22, 2009 at 08:24 AM
I had a factory Shelby Rampage. Great truck, rare now. Wish I still had it.
Daryl Sargent on March 13, 2010 at 12:39 AM
my mom had a shelby charger and it was a good littel car she put alot of miles on it then it went thru three of my cuzinz al three males and one of them still ownes it and is restoreing it and as for the vw pick-up the one based on the fox was alot better thay had better clearence a larger box and a beter trans-axel simler to the old micro bus and the frst vw pick-up except the trans is behind the eng. thay called that truck the caddy i have owend a fox wich is difernt than the rabit thay wher bilt in brazl would do 200kmph and that is fast for a stock 1.8 4cl from pre 1990 lmao
vendetta black on November 15, 2010 at 07:43 PM
i have an 82 rampage that i am working on as a project i swapped in a 2.2 h/o shelby turbo throttle body fuel injected engine any tip or resources you guys know about that may aid me in the massive rewiring and engine work i am in the midst of i went with the mega squirt stand alone fuel management module msd turbo ignition setup and pretty much every other part I could find that was cross compatible between the charger omni lebaren or anyhing else to milk out more power plus I was wondering if trying to swap the heads to a direct fuel injected setup would cause any significant problems or gains thank for any input
Arthur on April 15, 2011 at 09:33 PM
I have an issue where this man from Pennsylvania installed a 360 into his Plymouth TC3. I wonder ... can the same be done with a Rampage?
Arthur on April 15, 2011 at 09:35 PM
I meant to say that I have an issue of Mopar Action Magazine featuring an article where a man from Pennsylvania installed a 360 into his Plymouth TC3. I wonder ... can the same be done with a Rampage?
joe on April 26, 2011 at 08:36 PM
i have a 1982 dodge rampage i bought for 600 and the 4 speed shift linkage broke so i used bushings from gm to re-hook the linkage it works grate i had to cut the bushing and shrink it down a bit but it works grate i drove it today for the first time in over a year if your linkage bushin brakes email me at joseph_sgr@yahoo.com i can probly help you