1982 Dodge Rampage Base from North America - Comments

Engine had rod knock in it when I bought it, a junkyard engine fixed it right up. Be sure to replace the timing belt and clutch if you ever do this, ask me how I know.

I have put 5 clutches in it, one from age 3 from defective parts and 1 from pure abuse.

I have also replaced the alternator and voltage regulator.

I bought this little truck for $50 from a guy who couldn't keep it running, it had a bad hall effect pickup coil in it. Five years later I still have less than $500 in it and this includes replacing the engine once, the transmission 3 times (I had to have a 5 speed rather than a 4, it took 3 trannys to get a good one), the clutch 5 times, the alternator once and the voltage regulator once. I have replaced the stock bucket seats with a 50/50 bench from an Acclaim and installed a center console from a Charger. I put 70 miles a day on this truck, average 29 MPG (it has a Shelby transmission with the tall gears), and have hauled everything from furniture to firewood in it.

Future plans after the bodywork is done include a turbocharged motor and some brake and suspension improvements. I would like to see if I can get the ABS from a Caravan to work in it.

It is slow to warm up on cold days and has a hesitation under partial throttle. Fuel injection would fix this, but to install it would take a tank change. I can't seem to get rid of all the oil leaks, seems that I get one fixed and another crops up. The heater core is partially plugged and will need to be replaced.

All in all this little truck owes me not a thing, it starts when I turn the key and takes me everywhere I want to go. If I could find another one I would buy it, but it seems like anyone who has one wants to hold on to it just a little while longer.

I think that was a very honest and uplifting review of the Rampage. I have an 84 Rampage that is a project car for me. It was also my first car, which makes it just that much special to me. Everyone I know laughs at the car, but I believe with good care, the Rampage can live forever.

It's sad the Rampage didn't leave a bigger footprint to be remembered by, but at the same time, it makes our few examples just that much better.

I have a 82 Rampage Sport that I bought new in 82. Am resurrecting it. Put in the 83 motor to get the 'D' port intake and higher compression. With the little porting to the exhaust and intake matching and re-machining the carb, I should pick up another 10 to 15 hp. So should be around 110 hp. There is a website that helped quite a bit, www.tubododge.com. Also there is www.fwdperformance.com. Cindy and her crew have a lot of hard to get parts.