Dodge Ram Van
The Dodge Ram Van is a range of full-size vans that were produced by Chrysler Corporation from the 1971 to 2003 model years. The Bseries replaced the forward control Dodge A100, transitioning to a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout that shared components with the Dseries pickup truck and had a conventional exterior hood for engine access. The model range consisted of a cargo van, a passenger van marketed as the Dodge Ram Wagon after introduction of the Ram nameplate for model year 1980, and a cutaway van chassis which was dropped in 1979.
With a 33-model year production run, the Bseries/Ram Van is among the longest-lived platforms in American automotive history. The exterior and chassis saw only gradual changes during that time, with three distinct generations developed. Alongside its use by Dodge, the full-size van range was rebadged during the 1970s for both Fargo Trucks and Plymouth.
For the entire production run, Chrysler produced the vans at the now-demolished Pillette Road Truck Assembly plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada; prior to 1980, the model line was also produced at Saint Louis Assembly in Fenton, Missouri. In 2003, the Dodge Sprinter was introduced, replacing the Ram Van.
Model overview
Built on the Bplatform, the Dodge full-size vans entered production for the 1971 model year. Using a one-welded-piece "Uniframe" design, the platform was lighter and stronger, giving a lower cargo floor than previous American designs. While at the expense of noise, vibration, and harshness, the resulting lower center of gravity improved handling versus competing products with full frames.Produced over three distinct generations, the Bseries van utilized the majority of body sheetmetal from 1971 to 2003. Alongside passenger and cargo vans, the model line also served as a basis for cutaway chassis during the 1970s, serving both commercial markets and as a basis for recreational vehicles. Though popular in the latter market, Chrysler Corporation would end production of that design as a consequence of its late 1970s financial difficulties.
The relatively limited changes for the model line across its production made the Dodge Ram van popular with fleet buyers, service companies, and upbuilders because of the compatibility of components across various model years.
In two size extremes to the market segment, Dodge was the first American manufacturer to popularize extended-length passenger vans, with the 1971 "Maxiwagon" introducing 15-passenger seating. Conversely, the Ram van was the final full-size short-wheelbase van, as the 109-inch wheelbase B1500 was offered through 2003.
First generation (1971–1978)
From 1971 to 1978, Dodge produced two models of the Bseries van: the Dodge Tradesman cargo van and the Dodge Sportsman passenger van. In line with the D-series pickup truck, the van was marketed with three payload series: ½-ton "100", ¾-ton "200", and 1-ton "300". Only five inches longer than its A100/A108 predecessor, moving the front axle forward allowed for a substantial increase in interior space.Dodge introduced the Tradesman and Sportsman in two wheelbases: 109 inches and 127 inches. Initially introduced in two body lengths, an extended-length "Maxivan/Maxiwagon" variant was introduced during 1971. Consisting of an 18-inch rear body extension, the Sportsman Maxiwagon could be fitted with four rows of rear seats, allowing for up to 15 passengers. While the Tradesman was offered strictly as a cargo van, the Sportsman was offered in three distinct trims: Sportsman, Custom Sportsman, and Royal Sportsman, with the latter rivaling the Dodge Royal Monaco station wagon in equipment and trim.
Along with its highly sloped hoodline and short front fenders, this generation of the Bseries van is distinguished by several exterior design features. On passenger vans with the 127-inch wheelbase, the front passenger door and the rear side doors are separated by a filler panel, with all body lengths sharing the same side glass. The side windows are smaller in size, sharing a beltline with the front door glass.
Sharing its powertrain with the Dodge D-series pickup truck, the van line was initially released with a 198 cubic-inch Slant-6 along with a 225 cubic-inch Slant-6 and a 318 cubic-inch V8. For 1972, the 198 was dropped with a 360 V8 becoming a second optional V8. For 1976, B200 and B300 vans gained the option of big-block 400 and 440 cubic-inch V8s. A three-speed manual was standard, with the options of a 4-speed manual and a 3-speed automatic.
During its production, the first-generation vans saw gradual changes added each year. For 1972, front disc brakes were added along with full chrome door handles. For 1973, electronic ignition replaced the previous points-type system and power brakes became standard. For 1974, a redesigned plastic grille was added. To better match its Ford and GM competitors, the model line received a sliding door; initially offered on Maxivans/Maxiwagons, the configuration later became an option for the entire model line. For 1975, a new single-piece rear door became an option for Sportsman vans; the side-opening door remained unique to the Bseries line through the end of its production. 1976 saw the launch of the Street Van customization package for Tradesman vans, with minor interior revisions; in 1977, the single-panel rear door became standard on all Sportsman vans.
For 1978, the Bseries van began a two-year transition towards its second generation. Much of the body behind of the rear doors was revised, deleting the filler panel of long-wheelbase vans; the side and rear windows now extended slightly below the beltline of the front doors; and the taillamps were enlarged, switching from a horizontal orientation to a vertical one. The interior underwent a major revision with an all-new dashboard, trim, and seats; upgraded interior controls were now shared with Chrysler cars. In another revision, smaller engine covers increased space for front-seat passengers. The extended-length Maxivan/Maxiwagon was now a 26-inch extension, with the Maxiwagon receiving wraparound corner windows to improve visibility.
Rebranding
During the last two years of its existence, Fargo offered a rebadged variant of the Tradesman and Sportsman in Canada for 1971 and 1972 only. Plymouth also 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.Second generation (1979–1997)
For 1979, Dodge completed the two-year transition to its second-generation Bseries vans, with the front portion of the body undergoing a redesign. The front fascia received a taller hoodline and grille, with parking lamps wrapping into the front fenders. Higher-trim Sportsman vans were fitted with four rectangular headlamps while lower-trim versions were fitted with dual round headlamps.In a change that would prove beneficial to Chrysler, the government reclassified the Sportsman passenger van as a truck, substantially increasing the ability of the company to meet CAFE implementation.
After 1980, production ended at Saint Louis North Assembly, with all production subsequently sourced from Pillette Road Truck Assembly.
Model changes
For 1980, the windows were revised, with sliding side doors receiving a single-pane window. For 1981, the model line underwent a major rebranding. In line with its pickup truck counterpart, the Dodge Tradesman and Sportsman nameplates were retired in favor of Dodge Ram Van and Wagon; the Bseries nomenclature remained, revised to B150, B250, and B350. Derived from the B150, the Mini-Ram was a higher-trim passenger van with a larger fuel tank.For 1984, the Dodge Mini Ram and the Plymouth Voyager were retired from the Bseries line, as both nameplates became part of the Chrysler minivan line; Plymouth would not again offer a full-size truck prior to its discontinuation.
For 1986, the grille and badging trim were revised in line with Ram pickup trucks. In a safety upgrade, outboard seating positions received 3-point seatbelts for 1992.
For 1994, the model line underwent its most substantial revision and facelift since 1978. Distinguished by new front sheetmetal, the body shell underwent structural enhancements to improve crash protection. To modernize its appearance, exterior chrome brightwork was reduced. While the dashboard introduced for 1978 remained carryover, the interior saw revisions to the door panels and seats. In a branding change, the van line adopted the nomenclature of the Dodge Ram pickup trucks, becoming the B1500, B2500, and B3500. For 1995, a driver-side airbag was added.
Powertrain details
For the second-generation Ram vans, several changes were made to the powertrain line. Following the retirement of the big-block 400 and 440 V8s by Chrysler, the 360 V8 now served as the largest-displacement engine.The long-running 225 Slant-Six, found in half-ton and 3/4-ton vans, returned as the standard engine ; for 1988, it was replaced by a 3.9 L LA V6 adopted from the Dodge Dakota. The 318 returned as the standard V8 option for all models, adopting fuel injection for 1988. For 1992, the "Magnum" generation of the 3.9 L and 5.2 L engines was introduced, featuring multiport fuel injection; the 5.9 L followed suit for 1993.
For 1979, Dodge planned to offer the Mitsubishi 4.0 L inline-six diesel engine, but the option was shelved.
For 1980, the 3-speed column-shifted manual was retired in favor of the overdrive-equipped 4-speed manual. For 1988, the standard transmission became a 5-speed manual ; a 4-speed automatic became optional for the V6 and the 5.2 L V8, with a heavy-duty 4-speed automatic for the 5.9 L V8 added for 1990. As part of the 1994 update, manual transmissions were discontinued; Dodge became the final full-size van line to standardize automatic transmissions.