Dodge Ram Van

Dodge B-Series / Ram Van

Manufacturer	Chrysler Corporation (1971–1998) DaimlerChrysler (1999–2003)
Also called	Dodge Ram Wagon
Production	1971–2003
Assembly	Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Predecessor	Dodge A100
Successor	Dodge Sprinter
Class	Full-size van
Body style(s)	3-door van 4-door van 3-door wagon 4-door wagon
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Chrysler B platform

First generation

Manufacturer	Chrysler Corporation
Production	1971–1978
Class	Full-size van
Body style(s)	2-door or 8-15 passenger van
Engine(s)	225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant-6 360 cu in (5.9 L) LA V8 318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8 400 cu in (6.8 L) B V8 440 cu in (7.2 L) RB V8

1971 Dodge/Fargo Tradesman van

Second generation

Also called	Plymouth Voyager (1979-1983) Fargo Tradesman Dodge Tradesman Dodge Sportsman
Production	1979–1993
Engine(s)	3.7L (225cid) I6 110HP (79-88) 3.9L (239cid) V6 (88-03) 5.2L (318cid) V8 (79-03) 5.9L (360cid) V8 155HP (79-03) 6.6L (400cid) V8 190HP (71-78) 7.3L (440cid) V8 195HP (71-78) Horsepower figures for 1978
Transmission(s)	3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic 3-speed manual (column shift) 4-speed (floor shift) manual 5-speed manual (floor shift)
Wheelbase	150 SWB: 109.6 in (2784 mm) LWB: 127.6 in (3241 mm)
Length	1988-1990 150 SWB: 178.9 in (4544 mm) 1988-1990 150 LWB, 250 & 350 SWB: 196.9 in (5001 mm) 1998-1990 250 & 350 LWB: 222.9 in (5662 mm) 1991-93 B150 (Wagon Only): 187.2 in (4755 mm) 1991-93 B250 & B350 SWB (Wagon Only): 205.2 in (5212 mm) 1991-93 B250 & B350 LWB (Wagon Only): 231.2 in (5872 mm)
Width	1988-1990: 79.2 in (2012 mm) 1991-93 Wagon: 79.0 in (2007 mm) 1991-93 Van: 79.8 in (2027 mm)
Height	1988-1990 150: 78.3 in (1989 mm) 1988-1990 250: 79.9 in (2029 mm) 1988-1990 350: 80.5 in (2045 mm) 1991-93 B150 Wagon: 78.1 in (1984 mm) 1991-93 B250 Wagon: 78.6 in (1996 mm) 1991-93 B350 Wagon: 80.5 in (2045 mm) 1991-93 B150 Maxi Wagon: 80.7 in (2050 mm) 1991-93 Van (Extended): 80.1 in (2034.5 mm)
Fuel capacity	22 US gallons (83.3 L/18.3 imp gal) 35 US gallons (132.5 L/29.1 imp gal)

Third generation

Production	1994–2003
Engine(s)	Magnum 3.9L 175 hp (130 kW) V6 Magnum 5.2L 230 hp (170 kW) V8 Magnum 5.2L 220 HP V8 (CNG) Magnum 5.9L 250 hp (190 kW) V8
Transmission(s)	3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	1999-2003 1500 SWB: 109.4 in (2779 mm) 1994-98 1500 SWB: 109.6 in (2784 mm) 2500 & 3500: 127.6 in (3241 mm)
Length	1500: 187.2 in (4755 mm) 2500: 205.2 in (5212 mm) 3500: 231.2 in (5872 mm)
Width	79.8 in (2027 mm) 1994-96 Van: 79.0 in (2007 mm)
Height	79.5 in (2019 mm) 3500 & 2500: 79.9 in (2029 mm)
Fuel capacity	22 gallons 35 gallons 18 gallon CNG

The Dodge B-Series was a full-size van marketed under the Dodge brand by the Chrysler Corporation (1971–1998) and later DaimlerChrysler (1998–2003). Starting in 1979, the B-Series was sold as the Dodge Ram Van; the passenger variant was known as the Dodge Ram Wagon.

DaimlerChrysler discontinued production of the Ram Van and Ram Wagon after more than 30 years of production following the 2003 model year, replacing them with the Dodge Sprinter.

History

Built on the B platform (later AB), the full-size vans entered production for the 1971 model year. At the time, the cargo vans were marketed as the Dodge Tradesman and the passenger vans were called the Dodge Sportsman. The Ram nameplate replaced both previous names in 1980. Due to a one-welded-piece "Uniframe" design, the Dodge platform was lighter and stronger than the competition, at the expense of Noise, Vibration, and Harshness, the resulting lower center of gravity improved handling versus the competing products. The B-series van was popular for cab-over motorhome conversion until Chrysler Corporation's egress from that market during their bankruptcy proceedings in the 1970s.

All generations of the B-series van feature similar construction, with only small variation from era to era. The most pronounced changes were to the front fenders, hood, grille, and bumpers, which tended to follow their full-size truck counterparts in each era, much of this was a result of the need to meet Federal "crashworthiness" standards. Additionally, the first generation's side door was mounted back several inches, using a fixed panel between the passenger's side front door and the side door, allowing for more access to the side door without interfering with the front passenger's seat. This panel was eliminated in 1978 which was a transitional year for the B-series van. Similar construction for the entire 32 years of production made the Dodge Van very popular with upbuilders, service companies, and other fleets due to the compatibility of installable options from year to year without necessitating a redesign.

Dodge first pioneered the extended-rear 15-passenger van favored by school and church groups and dominated it until overtaken by Ford in the 1990s. It offered a sliding side door, and also a unique side-swinging tail door with a full-width window.

It was also popular in early class-C RV conversions. The minivan, perfected by Chrysler, eventually took over the passenger wagon market. With the Sprinter, Chrysler basically abandoned American-style full-sized vans in favor of smaller, more fuel efficient European-style models.

The B-series van was available with nearly every engine used in a rear wheel drive Chrysler product during its production. Six cylinder engines included the 225 in³ Slant Six I6 (1971–1987), the 3.9 L LA V6 (1988–1991), and the 3.9 L Magnum V6 (1992–2003). Small-block V8 engines included the LA-series 318 (1971–1991), 360 in³ (1972–1992), the Magnum 5.2 L (1992–2003), and the Magnum 5.9 L (1993–2003). Big-block V8 engines were the 400 in³ and 440 in³ (1976–1978). Certain model years came with an optional 5.2 liter engine utilizing Compressed Natural Gas, with a range of up to 300 miles (480 km) on a full tank, and CNG-powered Ram Vans were classified as an Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle in 1999. [1]

Dodge was the last of the four major full-size van makers to market a short-wheelbase van and passenger wagon. Ford, Chevrolet and GMC took their shortest full-size vans off the market early in the 1990s.

DaimlerChrysler discontinued production of the Ram Van and Ram Wagon after the 2003 model year, replacing them with the Mercedes-Benz based Dodge Sprinter.

Branding

For the first eight model years, the different configurations were given names. Sportsman passenger vans had side windows and passenger seating not present in the otherwise identical Tradesman models. These vans were also marketed as Plymouth Voyagers prior to the 1984 application of the Voyager name to Plymouth's new minivan, as well under the "Fargo" name in Canada in 1971-72. The same range of gasoline-powered slant-6 and V8 engines was offered in these vans as was offered in the Dodge D Series pickup truck.

The Sportsman, Tradesman, and Adventurer names were phased out after 1980, replaced with simple B-series identifiers. As with the D-series trucks, B100 and B150 models were 1/2-ton rated, B250 models were 3/4-ton, and B350s were one-ton. Over the 31-year production run of these vans, the front-end styling was given two major and four minor updates, with the engine being moved successively forward under longer hoods, while the rear-end styling was revised three times. However, the body shell and most fixtures would be one of the longest running of any US vehicle, remaining nearly identical from the vans' introduction in 1971 through their discontinuance in 2003, while Ford and GM would go through two or three generation platform redesigns. In the 1980s, the Dodge vans were the only ones to feature rear quarter glass that wrapped around to the rear of the van, which reduced the driver's blind spots compared to the Ford and GM vans.

1972 TRADESMAN

Little changed on Dodge vans produced between 1971 and 1977, with only minor styling changes to the grille area. 1979 was the first year for what is referred to as the "late" Dodge van. It was the biggest single change in the van's 31 year run. While the power train remained largely unchanged, the front end styling and interior were changed significantly. 1978 was a transition year for B series vans, and replaced in 1979 by the Dodge Ram Van. Some 1978 model year vans contain styling cues from the 1977 and earlier vans, and some contain the 1979 and later front end. All 1978 model year vans have interiors that are more similar to 1979 and later vans.

In the late 1970s, Chrysler marketed the Dodge Ram Van in their lineup of "Adult Toys", along with the Dodge Warlock, Dodge Lil' Red Express Truck, and Dodge Macho Ramcharger and Dodge Macho Power Wagon.

Plymouth received a rebadged variant of the Sportsman, called the Voyager for the 1974 model year. While never as popular as the Dodge version, Plymouth marketed the Voyager in this format through 1983, after which the nameplate was transferred to the new minivan that was introduced for 1984 as a rebadged Dodge Caravan.

Street Van

1978 Dodge Street Van

1977 Dodge Sportsman

Dodge vans, particularly Tradesman vans from the 1971-1977 model years, were very popular as the basis for many custom vans during the custom van craze that occurred during the mid to late 70s and early 80s. Dodge capitalized on this craze, creating a factory customization package called the "Street Van" package. This was advertised alongside the Lil' Red Express and Warlock trucks as "Adult Toys". The Street Van package consisted of a "Street Van" logo on the passenger and driver's side door in lieu of the Tradesman logos, chrome trim on the grille and windshield, simulated wood grain inlays in the steering wheel horn cover and passenger side glare shield, five slot chrome wheels or white spoked "off-road" type wheels, chrome front and rear bumpers, chrome trim on the gauges, smaller chrome side view mirrors, patterns and plans to create custom interiors, and membership in the "Dodge Van Clan". This package was available from the 1976 model year until it was discontinued in the early '80s. This was not an overly-popular option from the factory, and Street Vans are somewhat rare. The chrome metal Street Van emblems found on later Street Vans (emblems through mid-1978 were stickers) in good shape are quite valuable to collectors or restorers.

Kary-Van

The name "Kary Van" comes from the cube shape of the cargo section of the van. Dodge used the van body for the front end of its 1973-1978 cube-vans usually with dual rear axles and heavy-duty 1-Ton suspensions. Many examples of these cube-vans still can be found on the streets today as they were typically owned by companies, who kept them in service for some time. Thanks to regular maintenance, some still see service.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Dodge Ram Van

• Jeep Wagoneer
• Dodge A100
• Ford E-Series
• General Motors van

References

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External links

• Internet Movie Cars Database Entry