Common problems · 1981–93
2nd Gen Dodge Ramcharger problems: 8 things to check
The problems owners and specialists flag most on the Dodge Ramcharger (1981–1993), the repairs they end up doing and what those cost, plus the years and recalls to watch. Sourced, not scraped.
2nd Gen Dodge Ramcharger problems to check before you buy
- Rust in the rockers, floors and body mountsOn RamCharger Central, owners list the rockers (especially just ahead of the rear wheels), the front floors, the wheel lips, the rear quarters, the drip rail and the body-mount crossmembers. One member says flaky or feathered metal there is always worse once you strip it, and another says that if the very rear body crossmember is good, everything else is fixable. Check the frame around brackets and crossmembers too.
- Make it go into 4WDOn 1985–93 trucks, shift into 4WD High on the test drive and make sure the front axle actually drives. The CAD system depends on engine vacuum, a switch on the transfer case and a vacuum motor on the axle, and trucks that haven't used 4WD for years often have a sticky collar. If someone has fitted manual hubs, ask whether the CAD was locked, because hubs alone won't fix it.
- Steering slopOwners say the coupler where the steering shaft meets the steering box is known for wearing loose. A rebuild only returns it to original condition, so most fit an aftermarket shaft with needle-bearing U-joints. Have someone rock the wheel while you watch the coupler, the drag link and the tie-rod ends. Loose ball joints and worn U-joints turn up regularly too.
- The 9.25 clunkMany second-generation trucks clunk when shifted into Drive or Reverse. One member's diagnosis is that the pinion has lost preload and worn its bearings. Pull on the pinion yoke with the driveshaft off: it shouldn't move in and out. Worn spider gears, U-joints, slip-yoke splines and slack ring-and-pinion backlash all add to it, so a clunk can be a cheap fix or a full rear rebuild.
- Liftgate cracks and hatch fitRamCharger Central members list cracks in the fiberglass liftgate around the hinges as a common problem, alongside sagging door hinges. Open and close the hatch, check the glass and seals, and look for water in the cargo area. On 1990 and later trucks with the electric rear defroster, check that it works.
- Overdrive automatic healthFour-speed overdrive automatics arrived around 1990, and owners say the overdrive is the weak point if it overheats under load or with big tires. Drive it hard enough to get a full set of shifts and a kickdown, check that the fluid isn't dark or burnt, and look for an auxiliary cooler. Trucks with the three-speed TorqueFlite or the NP435 four-speed have less to worry about.
- Engine and fuel systemOn carbureted mid-1980s trucks, find out whether the Lean Burn / Spark Control Computer (behind the battery in the inner fender) is still fitted. Owners say it will eventually give trouble and is often converted to plain electronic ignition. TBI trucks need working sensors and a service manual for diagnosis. Magnums are prone to vacuum leaks from blown valley-pan gaskets, and owners report cracked heads in some years.
- Vents, vacuum and wiringIf the vents are stuck on defrost or won't change direction, the HVAC vacuum harness is usually to blame. One owner warns that the air box under the dash can fill with leaves and become a fire risk. Check the wiring and the fusible links on the driver's inner fender, and make sure every gauge works. Power window motors and locks are frequent failures.
The repairs 2nd Gen Dodge Ramcharger owners end up doing
| REPAIR | SYMPTOMS | DIFFICULTY | TIME | COST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnose and fix CAD 4WD engagement (1985–93) | The transfer case shifts into 4WD and the 4WD light may come on, but the front wheels don't drive. Or the axle grinds, won't disengage, or works only sometimes. Cold weather can make it worse when water freezes in the vacuum lines. | 2 / 5 | ≈ 1–3 hours | Parts plus labor |
| Lock the CAD and fit manual locking hubs | You're tired of chasing vacuum faults, or you want 4WD you can trust off-road. The factory hubs are always engaged, so the front axle can't be disconnected at the wheels. | 2 / 5 | ≈ 2–4 hours | Parts plus labor |
| Replace the steering shaft coupler | Play at the steering wheel that you can see at the coupler where the intermediate shaft meets the steering box. The truck wanders and needs constant correction on the highway. | 2 / 5 | ≈ 1–2 hours | Parts plus labor |
| Rebuild a clunking 9.25 rear axle | A heavy clunk when shifting into Drive or Reverse, or on and off the throttle. The pinion yoke moves in and out, or the gear oil is full of metal. | 4 / 5 | ≈ A day | Parts plus labor (gear setup is specialist work) |
| Replace front ball joints, axle U-joints and wheel bearings | Clunks over bumps, uneven tire wear, wandering, play when you rock a jacked-up wheel top to bottom, or clicking from the front axle in tight turns in 4WD. | 3 / 5 | ≈ A day (both sides) | Parts plus labor |
| Reseal or rebuild the NP208 / NP241 transfer case | Fluid leaking from the output seals or the case seam, chain noise in 4WD, or a case that jumps out of gear. Torque King says a stretched NP208 chain can sag enough to wear a hole in the aluminum case. | 4 / 5 | ≈ A day out of the truck | Parts plus labor |
| Read TBI fault codes and replace tired sensors (1988–91) | Rough idle, stalling, hesitation, poor fuel economy or a check-engine light on a throttle-body-injected 318 or 360. | 2 / 5 | ≈ 1–3 hours | Parts only (DIY) |
| Patch rocker and floor rust | Bubbling paint on the rockers ahead of the rear wheels, soft spots in the front floor under the carpet, water inside, or rust reaching the body-mount crossmembers. | 4 / 5 | ≈ A weekend per side | Panels plus welding labor |
Each repair links to a step-by-step guide with tools, part numbers and where to buy the parts.
Years with known problems
| YEARS | FLAG | WHAT TO KNOW |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–1985 | Recall | Recalls: 82V055000 front ball-joint clamp bolts (1982), 82V095000 ignition switch (1983), 84V047000 master cylinder seal (1984), 84V117000 twisted front brake hose (1985) and 84V115000 rear step bumper / fuel system (1980–85) |
Every 2nd Gen Dodge Ramcharger model year, with the best ones to buy →
2nd Gen Dodge Ramcharger recalls and service bulletins
- Rear step bumper may not protect the fuel system in a rear impact ↗ 1981–1985 (also 1980) · NHTSA 84V115000NHTSA says the trucks didn't meet FMVSS 301 fuel-system impact requirements: the rear step bumper structure might not withstand a rear collision, and fuel could leak.
- Cracked front ball-joint clamp bolts ↗ 1982 · NHTSA 82V055000Clamp bolts could be cracked and eventually break, letting the ball joint separate from the steering knuckle.
- Ignition switch contact carrier can crack ↗ 1983 · NHTSA 82V095000Switches distorted during crimping could crack internally, allowing the starter to engage with the key in the accessory position.
- Master cylinder seal leak ↗ 1984 · NHTSA 84V047000A piston seal inside the master cylinder could leak, causing intermittent loss of the front brakes.
- Twisted front brake hose ↗ 1985 · NHTSA 84V117000The hose from the body brake tubing to the front axle may have been installed twisted, so it could loop and chafe in normal driving.
Check any VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls ↗, or see the recall tracker.
Owner questions about 2nd Gen Dodge Ramcharger reliability
Is the overdrive automatic reliable?
It's the weak point if it gets hot. Owners say the four-speed overdrive automatics are prone to overdrive failures, especially under load or with oversized tires. They recommend an auxiliary transmission cooler, regearing for bigger tires and a thorough road test before you buy. Dodge offered an auxiliary transmission cooler as an option on 1993 trucks, and the Canyon Sport sold on BaT had one.
SOURCE · RAMCHARGER CENTRAL · DODGE 1993 BROCHURETake the printable 2nd Gen Dodge Ramcharger inspection checklist: every check on this page plus the model-specific ones, on one sheet. Get the checklist →
Sourced from owners, specialists and factory documents; full sources are on the 2nd Gen Dodge Ramcharger guide. Verify torque figures and procedures against the factory service manual (disclaimer).