Dodge Rampage ‘Rambo’ Takes (First) Blood at ’24 Grand National Truck Show
This 1984 Dodge Rampage is a full-blown drag pickup with a tube chassis and blown Hellcat V8, but it’s also a show-quality build, too.
As many undoubtedly remember, the Dodge Rampage launched back in 1982 as a subcompact, unibody pickup that offered up extra utility in a package that drove more like a passenger car. However, that concept never really caught on with the masses, and few Dodge Rampage pickups were sold over the course of just three model years before it was effectively replaced by the rebadged Scamp. As one might imagine, the Rampage didn’t have much to offer in terms of performance – just a mere 99 horsepower in top spec – but that isn’t the case with this heavily-modified 1984 model seen at the 2024 Grand National Truck Show in Pomona, California.
No, this 1984 Dodge Rampage – nicknamed “Rambo” by its owners, Sil and Carol Brander of San Jacinto, California – has undergone quite the transformation, completed by PMR Race & Speed Shop. The idea here was to ditch the stock and rather anemic 2.2-liter powerplant and replace it with a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8, along with a full tube chassis a racing suspension setup, and then go hit the track, as one might imagine.
Thus, that’s precisely what happened over the course of the next couple of years, as PMR sourced a 707 horsepower Hellcat powerplant from a 2017 model year vehicle and gave it some upgrades including a Magnusson supercharger and Holley Dominator setup, along with a fully built GM 4L80E gearbox to back it up. Underneath, the tiny hauler has been fitted with an NHRA-certified chromoly tube chassis, a four-link setup, a Strange Engineering rear end with 4.57 gears, and Strange four-wheel disc brakes, to boot.
Rolling on a set of RC Components wheels and Mickey Thompson rubber, this Dodge Rampage certainly looks the part, and isn’t shy about its intentions thanks to that giant painted Rambo figure covering the entire hood. It’s all business inside the cabin as well, with a 12-inch Holley digital dash and custom upholstery. Throw in custom graphics on the outside, and you’ve got a recipe for that rare race car that’s equally good at winning show trophies.
Photos: Derin Richardson
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