Specs, fluids & service · 1981–1993
Dodge Ramcharger (1981–1993) 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
| BUILT | 1981–1993 model years (US) · Mexico to 1996 |
|---|---|
| ASSEMBLY | Warren Truck, Michigan (through 1985) · later VINs show Mexican assembly |
| MODELS | AW100 / AW150 4x4 · AD150 4x2 |
| CHASSIS | Ladder frame, leaf springs, 106-in wheelbase |
| BODY | 2-door, welded steel roof, one-piece liftgate |
| ENGINES | 318 (5.2) & 360 (5.9) V8: carb → TBI → Magnum MPI |
| TRANSMISSIONS | TorqueFlite 3-speed auto · NP435 4-speed · 4-speed OD auto (1990+) |
| TRANSFER CASE | NP208 (1981–87) · NP241 (1988–93) |
| FRONT AXLE | Dana 44: open knuckle (1981–84) · CAD (1985–93) |
| REAR AXLE | Chrysler 9.25 in (most) · Sure-Grip optional |
| FUEL TANK | 34 US gal (1990 & 1993 brochures) |
| TRIMS | Royal SE · Prospector · LE · 150 S · S-Plus · Canyon Sport |
By year
| YEARS | PLATFORM | ENGINE | OUTPUT | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981–1984 | Ram restyle, fixed steel roof | 318 / 360 V8 (carbureted) | 1981 360: 175 hp (Hagerty) | NP208 part-time case and open-knuckle Dana 44 with locking hubs. Egg-crate grille. Trail Duster sold for 1981 only. |
| 1985–1987 | Ram-Trac | 318 / 360 V8 (carbureted) | — | CAD front axle allows shift-on-the-fly; hubs permanently engaged. Crosshair grille arrives for 1986. |
| 1988–1989 | TBI trucks | 318 TBI (1988) · 360 TBI (1989) | 318: 170 hp · 360: ≈190 hp | NP241 replaces NP208 for 1988. |
| 1990–1991 | ABS and overdrive | 318 TBI · 360 TBI | 318: 170 hp at 4,000 rpm | Rear-wheel ABS standard, electronic speedometer, optional four-speed overdrive automatic (1990). Revised grille for 1991. |
| 1992 | First Magnum | 5.2 Magnum MPI · 360 TBI optional | 5.2 Magnum: 230 hp | Canyon Sport package offered. |
| 1993 | Final US year | 5.2 Magnum · 5.9 Magnum | 5.9: 230 hp / 325 lb-ft | Four-speed overdrive automatic only. S, S-Plus, Base, LE and Canyon Sport (about 200 Canyon Sports). |
| 1994–1996 | Mexico only | — | — | Built and sold in Mexico with minor running changes from the 1993 US truck. |
Fluids, capacities & service intervals
Assume nothing has been serviced. These trucks share most of their service parts with 1981–93 Dodge half-ton pickups, but the details change a lot by year: carburetor, TBI or Magnum, NP208 or NP241, open-knuckle or CAD front axle. Check what you have, and buy the factory service manual for your year, because most capacities aren't published anywhere else.
| ITEM | SPEC / CAPACITY | INTERVAL | NOTES & PARTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | Grade and capacity confirm in manual | At purchase, then per manual | Look for leaks at the oil pan and valve-cover gaskets. On Magnums, a vacuum leak can come from the valley-pan gasket under the intake.Oil filter, 1990 Ramcharger 5.2L · RockAuto ↗Oil filter, 1993 Ramcharger 5.9L · RockAuto ↗ |
| Air filter | Element to suit engine (carb, TBI or Magnum) | At purchase; inspect at every oil change | Carbureted trucks with a Quadrajet can draw carbon from the charcoal canister into the carb; one owner adds an in-line filter in that hose.Air filter, 1990 Ramcharger 5.2L · RockAuto ↗Air filter, 1985 Ramcharger 5.9L · RockAuto ↗ |
| Spark plugs, wires, cap & rotor | Plug type and gap confirm in manual | At purchase | Carbureted trucks with the Lean Burn / Spark Control Computer often get converted to plain electronic ignition.Spark plugs, 1990 Ramcharger 5.2L · RockAuto ↗Spark plug wires, 1990 Ramcharger 5.2L · RockAuto ↗Distributor cap, 1990 Ramcharger 5.2L · RockAuto ↗ |
| Coolant, hoses & thermostat | Ethylene glycol coolant confirm type and capacity in manual | At purchase | One owner warns that a radiator from a 1970s truck needs work to fit, though a 1981–93 Ram radiator is the same as the Ramcharger's.Thermostat, 1990 Ramcharger 5.2L · RockAuto ↗Radiator hoses, 1990 Ramcharger 5.2L · RockAuto ↗ |
| Automatic transmission fluid & filter | Chrysler-spec ATF confirm in manual | At purchase: drain the pan, replace the filter, refill | Pan drop and filter rather than a flush. Owners recommend an auxiliary cooler for overdrive automatics, especially with big tires or towing.Transmission filter, 1990 Ramcharger 5.2L · RockAuto ↗Pan gasket, 1990 Ramcharger 5.2L · RockAuto ↗ |
| Transfer case (NP208 / NP241) | ATF · NP208: 6 pints (3 L), per the shop manual quoted on RamCharger Central | At purchase | Don't use gear oil. An NP241 owner points out the case has an oil pump that's designed to move ATF, not 90-weight. Check the vacuum switch's rubber connector for oil swelling on CAD trucks.QU50924 NP208 bearing & seal kit · Torque King 4x4 ↗QU50129 NP241D bearing, seal & gasket kit · Torque King 4x4 ↗ |
| Front differential (Dana 44) | Hypoid gear oil confirm grade and capacity in manual | At purchase | On CAD axles, gear oil also lives in the disconnect housing, so check for leaks at the vacuum motor and the inner axle seals.QU40214 Dana 44 diff cover gasket · Torque King 4x4 ↗QU40083 left axle seal, CAD Dana 44 · Torque King 4x4 ↗ |
| Rear differential (Chrysler 9.25) | Hypoid gear oil, plus limited-slip additive on Sure-Grip axles confirm grade in manual | At purchase | Check the pinion for in-and-out play while you're under there.QU50687 diff cover gasket, Chrysler 9.25 · Torque King 4x4 ↗QU40218 limited-slip additive · Torque King 4x4 ↗ |
| Front wheel bearings & seals | Repack with wheel-bearing grease confirm in manual | At purchase | Inspect the spindle bearings and seals at the same time.TK4752 Dana 44 front wheel bearing & seal kit · Torque King 4x4 ↗ |
| U-joints & slip yoke | Chassis grease | At purchase, then at every oil change | RamCharger Central owners say a dry rear driveshaft slip yoke adds to the infamous Dodge clunk. Grease every fitting, and replace sealed joints that have play.QK3001 greaseable rear driveshaft U-joint kit (1988–2002 Dodge gas V8) · Torque King 4x4 ↗QU90007 front axle U-joint · Torque King 4x4 ↗ |
| Steering & ball joints | Inspect coupler, drag link, tie rods and ball joints | At purchase | The steering-shaft coupler is the classic wear point.Borgeson steering shaft 000943 ('79–'93 Dodge) · Geno's Garage ↗QU40187 ball joint set · Torque King 4x4 ↗ |
| Brake fluid, hoses & rear shoes | DOT brake fluid confirm grade in manual | At purchase: flush, then every 2 years | Front discs and rear drums on every second-generation truck. Replace old rubber front hoses, and adjust the rear drums before you test the parking brake.QU80163 front brake hose (1974–93 Dodge Dana 44) · Torque King 4x4 ↗Rear brake shoes, 1990 Ramcharger · RockAuto ↗ |
| Fuel filter | In-line filter | At purchase | TBI and Magnum engines use an in-tank electric pump. A clogged filter or a weak pump causes hesitation and hard starting.Fuel filter, 1990 Ramcharger 5.2L · RockAuto ↗ |
| Belts & battery | Belts to suit engine and accessories | At purchase | Check the battery cables and the fusible links on the driver's inner fender.Drive belts, 1990 Ramcharger 5.2L · RockAuto ↗Battery cables, 1990 Ramcharger · RockAuto ↗ |
Capability
| Towing | 6,700–7,500 lb (3,040–3,400 kg) 1993 4x4 ratings: 5.2 with 3.55s 6,700 lb, 5.9 with 3.55s 7,100 lb, 3.90 gears 7,500 lb; 800-lb tongue weight. The 1990 4x2 with the 5.9 and towing package was rated at 7,600 lb |
|---|---|
| Payload | 1,420–1,430 lb (≈645–650 kg) 1993 4x4 with the 6,000-lb GVW; 1,785 lb with the 6,400-lb GVW snowplow package |
| GVWR | 6,000 lb (2,720 kg) · 6,400 lb optional 4x4, 1990 and 1993 brochures |
| Fuel tank | 34 US gal (129 L) 1990 and 1993 brochures |
| Wheelbase | 106 in (2,692 mm) |
| Height | 73.06 in (1,856 mm) 1993 4x4 |
| Cargo volume | 86.1 cu ft · 105.7 cu ft with the rear seat removed 1993 brochure |
| Turning circle | 36.9 ft (11.2 m) 1990 4x4 |
| Fuel economy | ≈10–12 mpg real-world Owner reports on RamCharger Central; one owner gets 16.5 mpg at a steady 55 mph |
| Roof rack | 100 lb (45 kg) Rating for the Mopar roof rack in the 1990 brochure |
Wheels & tires
| Factory tire | P235/75R15XL on 15x6.5 wheels (standard, per 1990 and 1993 brochures) · 31x10.5R15 (optional on 4x4s) |
|---|---|
| Bolt pattern | 5x139.7 (5x5.5") on part-time 4x4s |
| Biggest tire · Stock | 32 in (33x10.50 on 8-in-wide wheels) |
| Biggest tire · 3.5 in | 35x12.50 on 8-in-wide wheels |
| Biggest tire · 6 in | 37x12.50 |
Open the Dodge Ramcharger (1981–1993) in the tire fitment tool →
Common Dodge Ramcharger (1981–1993) repairs
- Diagnose and fix CAD 4WD engagement (1985–93)DIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Lock the CAD and fit manual locking hubsDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Replace the steering shaft couplerDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Rebuild a clunking 9.25 rear axleDIFFICULTY 4 / 5
- Replace front ball joints, axle U-joints and wheel bearingsDIFFICULTY 3 / 5
- Reseal or rebuild the NP208 / NP241 transfer caseDIFFICULTY 4 / 5
- Read TBI fault codes and replace tired sensors (1988–91)DIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Patch rocker and floor rustDIFFICULTY 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.