Specs, fluids & service · 1974–1980
Dodge Ramcharger (first generation) specs, fluids and service intervals
The numbers you need in the garage, on one page: spec sheet, capacities and service intervals, wheels and tires, and the parts to order. Sourced from owners, specialists and the factory; tags marked confirm in manual haven't been checked against a factory source yet.
Spec sheet
| MODEL YEARS | 1974–1980 (Plymouth Trail Duster 1974–1980 in this form) |
|---|---|
| MODEL CODES | AW100 (4x4) · AD100 (2WD, from 1975) |
| ASSEMBLY | Warren Truck Assembly, Warren, Michigan |
| WHEELBASE | 106.0 in (2,692 mm) |
| LENGTH / WIDTH | 184.6 in / 79.5 in |
| ENGINES | 225 I6 · 318 V8 · 360 V8 · 400 V8 · 440 V8 (big-blocks to 1978) |
| TRANSMISSIONS | 3-spd manual · NP435 / NP445 4-spd · A727 LoadFlite 3-spd auto |
| TRANSFER CASE | NP203 full-time (1974–79) · NP208 part-time (1980) |
| AXLES | Spicer 44F-BJ front · Chrysler 9¼ in rear |
| BRAKES | Power front discs (11.75 in rotors) · rear drums |
| FUEL TANK | 24 gal std · 35 gal optional |
| TURNING DIAMETER | 36.9 ft (AW100) |
| WHEEL BOLT PATTERN | 5 x 4.5 in (full-time 4x4 and 2WD) |
By year
| YEARS | PLATFORM | ENGINE | OUTPUT | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | AW100 Ramcharger / Trail Duster (4x4 only) | V8 only (RCC lists the 318 and 440) | 440: 230 hp (Hagerty) | Full-time NP203. The top was optional and the passenger seat cost extra. Half doors until the June 10, 1974 build date. |
| 1975–1976 | AW100 4x4 · AD100 2WD (new) | + 225 slant six | 225: just over 110 hp | The 2WD model has coil-spring independent front suspension. Revised dash. On SE trucks the instrument panel adds volt and vacuum gauges. |
| 1977 | AW100 / AD100 | 225 · 318 · 360 · 400 · 440 | 440: 220 hp | New grille with rectangular parking lamps. The brochure lists electronic ignition on every engine. The 440 was 4x4-only. |
| 1978 | + Four by Four (Macho) · Top Hand | 225 (now 2-bbl) · 318 · 360 · 400 · 440 | 360 2-bbl: 175 hp | Hurst transfer-case shifter, new towing packages and a three-passenger front bench. Last year for the big-blocks. |
| 1979 | AW100 / AD100 | 318 (std 4x4) · 360 · 225 (2WD only) | 360: 160 hp | New hood, grille and headlights. Upper trims get four rectangular lamps. The NP203 stays. |
| 1980 | AW100 / AD100 | 318 · 360 | 360: 170 hp (Barn Finds, 1980 Trail Duster) | Part-time 4WD with the NP208. Black-painted grille openings. Last year for the removable top. |
Fluids, capacities & service intervals
Assume every fluid is old and every rubber part is original until you've seen receipts. The first generation has two jobs most owners forget: greasing the full-time front hubs, and the NP203's oil fill, which takes engine oil, not gear oil. We couldn't verify most factory capacities, so check them against the Dodge factory service manual for your year.
| ITEM | SPEC / CAPACITY | INTERVAL | NOTES & PARTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | Grade and capacity confirm in manual | Now, then every 3,000–5,000 mi confirm in manual | Find out which engine is actually in it first. 340, 383, 408 and diesel swaps are common.1978 Ramcharger oil filters by engine · RockAuto ↗ |
| Ignition: plugs, cap, rotor, wires | Plug gap and timing confirm in manual | Now, then at every tune-up | By 1977 Dodge's brochure lists electronic ignition on every engine. Some owners have since fitted GM HEI distributors.1978 Ramcharger ignition parts · RockAuto ↗ |
| Coolant, hoses, radiator & thermostat | Coolant type and capacity confirm in manual | Flush now, then every 2 years | Big-blocks run hot in this short engine bay, and aluminum radiators are a common retrofit.1978 Ramcharger cooling system parts · RockAuto ↗ |
| NP203 transfer case (1974–79) | SAE 10W-30 engine oil · 9 pints | Change now, then at the manual's interval | From Torque King's chart, compiled from factory shop manuals. 1980 trucks with the NP208 take Dexron III or ATF+4, 6 pints. If the old seals start weeping after a switch to synthetic oil, reseal the case first.NP203 gasket and seal kit (QU50371) · Torque King 4x4 ↗ |
| Full-time front hub bearings | Wheel-bearing grease | Now, then about once a year | From 1976 there's a grease fitting hidden behind the hub. Look through the holes around the wheel studs. Check for play while the wheel is off the ground.Pyroplex Protection ES 2 synthetic grease (QU90018) · Torque King 4x4 ↗ |
| Front differential (Spicer 44) | Hypoid gear oil, grade and capacity confirm in manual | Change now | If the level keeps dropping, suspect the inner axle seals. The seal part number changed partway through 1977.Torque King — 1972–93 Dodge W-series front axle parts · Torque King 4x4 ↗ |
| Rear differential (Chrysler 9¼) | Hypoid gear oil; friction modifier if anti-spin confirm in manual | Change now | Anti-spin was optional with every ratio, so check the axle tag or spin a wheel before you choose an oil.Torque King — 1972–93 Dodge rear axle parts · Torque King 4x4 ↗ |
| Transmission fluid (A727 auto or NP435/NP445 manual) | Fluid type and capacity confirm in manual | Change now (automatic: drop the pan and replace the filter) | The LoadFlite A727 was the automatic throughout. Manual 4x4s got the 3-speed, the NP435 'granny' 4-speed or the close-ratio NP445.1978 Ramcharger transmission filters and gaskets · RockAuto ↗ |
| Brake fluid, hoses & hardware | Fluid type confirm in manual | Flush now, then every 2 years | Power front discs and rear drums. Replace any original rubber hoses, and check the rear wheel cylinders.1978 Ramcharger brake parts · RockAuto ↗ |
| U-joints & slip yokes | Chassis grease | Grease now, then with every oil change | Ramcharger Central's 'Confirmed Fixes' thread is full of 'failures' that turned out to be a U-joint or a slip joint.Torque King — 1972–93 Dodge front driveshaft parts · Torque King 4x4 ↗ |
| Steering box, mounting plate & pot coupler | Inspect; power-steering fluid confirm in manual | Now | Look for cracks at the box mount. On 1978 trucks, ask whether the steering-shaft recalls were done.Autofab steering box mounting bracket · Autofab ↗ |
| Fuel system: lines, sender, filter | Inspect and replace rubber lines | Now | On 50-year-old trucks, the fuel lines, the vent lines and the tank sending unit are all due. One BaT SE had all three replaced. Check for the optional 35-gallon tank.1978 Ramcharger fuel system parts · RockAuto ↗ |
| Battery, grounds & connections | Clean and tighten every ground | Now | Ramcharger Central's fix list keeps coming back to 'a simple wire, moisture, corrosion (very common)'.1978 Ramcharger electrical parts · RockAuto ↗ |
Capability
| Wheelbase | 106.0 in (2,692 mm) |
|---|---|
| Length / width | 184.6 in / 79.5 in (4,689 / 2,019 mm) 1977 and 1978 brochures |
| Track (front / rear) | 65.7 in / 63.4 in (AW100) 1978 brochure |
| Turning circle | 36.9 ft (11.2 m) diameter, AW100 37.3 ft on the 2WD AD100 |
| Fuel tank | 24 gal (91 L) std · 35 gal (132 L) optional |
| GVW | 6,050 lb (2,744 kg), AW100 1979 brochure, with the Sno-Commander package also 6,050 lb |
| Axle capacity | 3,500 lb front · 3,600 lb rear 1977 and 1979 brochures, AW100 |
| Towing | Up to 6,000 lb (2,720 kg) gross trailer weight 1978 brochure, with the optional heavy-duty package and a load-equalizing hitch. The standard towing package covers trailers under 2,000 lb. |
| Low range | 2.0:1 (NP203) 1978 brochure |
Wheels & tires
| Factory tire | E78-15/B (1977 standard) · H78-15/B (1978 standard) · L78-15/B (1979 AW100 standard) · Options up to 10-15LT/B (1977–79 brochures; standard with the 1978 Macho package) |
|---|---|
| Bolt pattern | 5x114.3 (5x4.5") on full-time 4x4s and 2WD trucks |
| Biggest tire · Stock | 31x10.50R15 |
| Biggest tire · 2 in (add-a-leaf) | 33x12.50 |
| Biggest tire · 4 in | 33x12.50 |
| Biggest tire · Lifted (amount not stated) | 35x12.50R17 |
Open the Dodge Ramcharger (first generation) in the tire fitment tool →
Common Dodge Ramcharger (first generation) repairs
- Grease the full-time front hub bearingsDIFFICULTY 1 / 5
- Service and reseal the NP203 transfer caseDIFFICULTY 3 / 5
- Convert the NP203 to part-timeDIFFICULTY 3 / 5
- Reinforce the steering box mountDIFFICULTY 3 / 5
- Replace the Dana 44 inner axle sealsDIFFICULTY 4 / 5
- Sort out a hot-running big-blockDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Patch rust at the quarters, floors and core supportDIFFICULTY 4 / 5
Always confirm torque figures, fluids and capacities against the factory service manual for your VIN. See the disclaimer; some parts links are affiliate links.