Chrysler minivans (S)


The first-generation Chrysler minivans are a series of minivans produced and marketed by the Chrysler Corporation from the 1984 to the 1990 model years. Introduced as the first minivans from an American-brand manufacturer and popularizing the minivan as a vehicle, the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager were launched ahead of chief competitors Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari and Ford Aerostar.
Using the front-wheel drive Chrysler S platform, the minivans were produced in both passenger and cargo configurations. Initially offered in a single wheelbase, a longer-wheelbase Grand Caravan/Grand Voyager was introduced for 1987. For 1988, the Chrysler Voyager was introduced for export sale, intended as a competitor for the Renault Espace. For the final year of the generation, the luxury-oriented Chrysler Town & Country was introduced.
Chrysler manufactured the S-platform minivans in the United States and Canada in its Saint Louis Assembly and Windsor Assembly facilities.

Background and development

The development of what ultimately became the Chrysler minivans began in the early 1970s as concurrent projects of Ford Motor Company and the truck division of Dodge. As an alternative to Volkswagen Microbus, both companies sought to create a "garageable van", more powerful, safer-handling vans capable as a practical second car.
In 1964, when Chrysler adopted three platforms for all products called the C, B and A, Chrysler also introduced the Dodge A100 cab-over van in response to the first generation Ford Econoline, Chevrolet Van and Chevy Corvair Greenbrier.
The Dodge van project did not progress past a clay model design; Chrysler chairman Lynn Townsend argued that if a market for such a vehicle existed, Ford and GM would have already done it. In 1973, Ford developed the Ford Carousel as a running prototype; derived from the Ford Club Wagon, the Carousel adopted a lower "garageable" roofline and "automotive-style" interior and exterior features. While supported by multiple Ford executives, the Carousel fell victim to the 1973 oil crisis, as the company focused development resources on redesigning its sedan lines.
At the end of 1977, development of Chrysler minivans restarted with four main goals; 1982 was planned for a potential model year launch.
  1. The ability to park in a standard-size garage
  2. Car-like NVH
  3. Low, flat load floor
  4. Removable rear seats
Although both the front-wheel drive K-Cars and L-body were being considered as donor platforms, Chrysler also allowed consideration of rear-wheel drive. Ultimately, the L-body was ruled out, as it was considered too light-duty for either the size of the vehicle or its planned six-cylinder engine. During 1978, Chrysler began research across the United States, seeking what features customers desired in a potential minivan, finding agreement in its planned goals. Though potential customers found concept sketches "ugly", Chrysler still found a potential market of nearly 1 million vehicles per year, with Chrysler selling 215,000 of them.
In 1978, both Lee Iacocca and Hal Sperlich were fired from Ford Motor Company, moving to similar positions within Chrysler Corporation. The same year, Chrysler Corporation merged the truck engineering division of Dodge within its car counterpart of Chrysler. By 1979, Chrysler chose front-wheel drive for the minivan project, codenamed "T-115". Though the van would share its transverse engine and transmission with the K-cars, it would be based on a separate body structure. Approved by Lee Iacocca at the end of 1979, the T-115 project would cost $500 million to produce, funded as part of the $1.5 billion in federal loan guarantees given to Chrysler.
From its 1979 approval to its 1984 launch, the proposed T-115 design would undergo several major changes. Originally intended to use four sedan-style doors, Chrysler changed to two sliding doors for the rear, claiming better parking-lot access. The configuration was ultimately changed to a single sliding door, as Chrysler wanted to market the van to commercial buyers. While engineers wanted to make a left-side sliding door an option, its deletion was done to reduce production costs. During development, the configuration of the rear door was also contentious; initially favoring a tailgate, designers shifted to a liftgate. On the exterior, the side windows were redesigned to become flush with the body in 1981; while requiring a major redesign of components and tooling, the design change allowed for a reduction of wind noise and drag. To further reduce costs, a number of visible interior components were shared with the Dodge Aries/Plymouth Reliant, including the instrument panel, interior controls, radio, and various trim items.
Drivetrain choices proved problematic as the 2.2L I4 of the K-cars was considered inadequate; the 3.7L Slant Six was unsuited for transverse mounting. The Mitsubishi-sourced 2.6L I4 was adopted as an interim engine until 1987 when Chrysler dropped it in favor of a Mitsubishi-sourced 3.0L V6. Eventually the Chrysler V6 engine was introduced for the model line in 1989, choosing not to use the Chrysler LA 239 V6 engine.

Overview

Launched in November 1983 for the 1984 model year, Chrysler marketed the first-generation minivans as the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager, along with the Mini Ram Van cargo van. While the Dodge Caravan nameplate was used for the first time, Plymouth had used the Voyager nameplate since 1974 on its version of the Dodge Sportsman full-size passenger van.
Initially released in a single 112-inch wheelbase, Chrysler introduced a 119-inch wheelbase as part of a 1987 update, launching the Grand Caravan/Grand Voyager. Starting in 1988, the Chrysler Voyager was exported to markets outside of the United States and Canada. For 1990, Chrysler began production of the Chrysler Town & Country, among the first luxury vehicles produced as a minivan.

Body

Designed as an alternative to full-size station wagons, the standard-length Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager, presented nearly double the cargo space of a K-car station wagon with a 7-foot long cargo floor. Similar to the K-car station wagons, the minivans use a liftgate rear door, unlocked by key.
Several seating configurations were offered, depending on trim level. The standard configuration of five-passenger seating in two rows was included with seven or eight-passenger seating in three rows; the back two seats were two-passenger and three-passenger bench seats. The more popular two-passenger configuration was offered in several configurations, with low-back seats, or high back seats with headrests; depending on trim level, seats could have vinyl, "deluxe" cloth or vinyl, or "luxury" cloth/vinyl upholstery. Two styles of rear seats were offered. The three-passenger rear bench was adjustable for passenger legroom or cargo space; the seatback also folded down when not in use. In 1985, a five-passenger version was introduced with a fold-flat rear seat; called "Convert-a-bed", the option allowed the rear seat to fold backwards into a bed. The Convert-a-bed was also available paired with the front bench seat.
To lower production and development costs of the Chrysler minivans, the vehicles maintained a high degree of visible parts commonality with other Chrysler vehicles, sharing wheel covers, door handles, instrument panels, and other visible trim pieces with the Aries/Reliant and other Chrysler vehicles. As the design of the dashboard precluded a conventional glove box, Chrysler added a large storage drawer underneath the passenger seat. The minivans also became some of the earliest mass produced automobiles to feature dedicated cup holders that were outside of the glovebox from the factory.

1984–1986

At their 1984 launch, as with the K-Cars, the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager were externally distinguished largely by their grilles. Both vehicles were fitted with four headlights, with the Caravan fitted with an eggcrate grille while the Voyager was fitted with a horizontally-oriented grille. In what would become a signature styling feature of 1980s Chrysler minivans, top-trim Caravans and Voyagers were both offered with simulated woodgrain as an option.
In following with many other Chrysler vehicles, for 1986, Chrysler minivans shifted from 4-lug to 5-lug wheels. To reduce high-speed wind noise, Chrysler added a bumper-mounted air dam.

1987–1990

The 1987 model year saw a mid-cycle update to the S-platform minivans. Largely centered around the May 1987 introduction of the Grand Caravan and Grand Voyager, the update brought a new front fascia and taillights. To better differentiate the Caravan from the Voyager, the model lines received different grilles; all models except the Mini Ram Van were shifted to flush-lens composite headlamps. Fourteen inches longer in length than a standard-wheelbase Chrysler minivan, the Grand Caravan/Grand Voyager was the largest minivan in North America in 1987. The first Chrysler minivans fitted with a V6 engine, the Grand Caravan/Grand Voyager eventually became the two most popular configurations. With both rear seats removed, the "Grand" minivans offered 150 cubic feet of cargo room, 25 extra than a standard wheelbase Chrysler minivan.
The front bench seat and Convert-A-Bed, both seldom ordered, did not return for 1987. Interior upholstery was upgraded on several trims, with base vinyl seats removed ; for the first time, leather seating was offered on LE/Grand LE trim.
For 1989, the minivans saw a minor update. To improve fit and finish, Chrysler redesigned the front and rear bumpers, with single-piece bumper covers, painted to match the color of the body. The early-1980s K-Car steering wheel was replaced by a 3-spoke design. In addition to the standard trim levels, Chrysler added the top-line Dodge Caravan ES and Plymouth Voyager LX; as an early 1990 model, the Chrysler Town & Country luxury minivan was introduced in early 1989.