1989 Dodge Ramcharger AW-100

- California SUV
- Two Tone Paint
- 5.9L V8 with 4WD

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1989 Dodge Ramcharger AW-100 on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of the SUV due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 175 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around video, and a link to the Ramcharger's accident-and-damage-free Carfax history report, please go to our main website: Garage Kept Motors.)

“Unlike many of its modern counterparts, the 4x4 Ramcharger was not tamed for soccer-mom use.” – Off-Road.com, November 2005

As the authority, dodgeramcharger.com, explains: “The Dodge Ramcharger was a large sport utility vehicle built by Dodge from 1974-1993, and based on a shortened-wheelbase version of the Dodge D Series/Ram pickup truck chassis. The Ramcharger was primarily produced as a two-door, four-wheel-drive vehicle…. As a full-size sport-utility, it competed with the Chevrolet K5 Blazer and the full-size Ford Bronco.”

These days, a good number of classic four-wheel-drive enthusiasts are opting for these Ramchargers either out of a general Mopar affinity, or because the Ramcharger stands out as a bit more “untamed” than those more widely available Blazers and Broncos. Hagerty not long ago noted: “Dodge Ramchargers are riding the two-door SUV wave.”

The '89 Ramcharger AW-100 offered here in silver-and-blue over blue has been properly maintained through the years. Mechanically and cosmetically, inside and out, the SUV's condition is excellent. An original California vehicle, the odometer currently reads 112,877 miles, roughly just 3,500 miles per-year on average since new. It's still fully “untamed” and absolutely capable of doing “five days in the trenches, and then becoming a 'weekend warrior,'" as the period advertisement put it.

This Ramcharger's original two-tone, silver and blue exterior paint remains in good-to-excellent condition overall. The hood and roof show some California sun-fading, but the side body panels retain their original luster. (To best assess the quality of the paint and chrome finish, be sure to view the close-up photographs of the car in the accompanying gallery.) Sheet-metal body panels show no significant dings, dents, or other damage. The truck's chrome bumpers and trim, mirrors, front grille (and brush bar), and black beltline trim are all in excellent condition. Aftermarket twisted-spoke-style, alloy wheels are mounted with Michelin® X Radial LT outline-white-letter tires. Factory badging is original and properly mounted, including the “D-o-d-g-e” letters on the hood just beneath the impressive Mountain Ram ornament (still used as an icon for the brand today), and the "Ram Charger" front-fender emblems.

The premium interior (including upgraded trim, power windows, air conditioning and more) retains a largely factory appearance featuring light- and dark-blue velour upholstery on seating surfaces and lower door trim, with a wood-grain trimmed, blue-and-black dash. The complete and functional gauges (with crisp markings and clear instrument lenses) are framed by a black steering wheel with the Chrysler penta-star emblem in the center. The automatic transmission shifter is mounted on the steering column, while the 4-wheel-drive transfer-case shifter is floor-mounted. A Pioneer® audio head unit is installed in the factory-radio location beneath the controls for the heating and air-conditioning. The front bucket seats are separated by an expansive storage compartment with twin cupholders. Blue carpeting is in place throughout the truck, including in the rear cargo area. All the interior surfaces show very little wear and like-new condition suggesting they were treated with extraordinary owner-care through the years.

Under the hood, the 5.9-liter (360 cubic-inch) V8 retains its factory-original appearance free of added aftermarket chrome trim. All components—including air conditioning—are properly mounted, and the engine bay is clean but not excessively detailed. Viewed from below, the entire undercarriage is neatly laid out and free of damage or signs of abuse. Rust-inhibiting treatment has been applied to some surfaces. Only minor surface rust is evident on un-protected components; no body-panel rust is apparent.

All factory-applied identification and build tags remain in place.

While the more than 175 high-definition photographs and the short walk-around-and-startup video available on the GarageKeptMotors website showcase this '89 Ramcharger in detail from every angle, including from below, we expect and encourage in-person inspections at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom. Please call to arrange an appointment in advance as our showroom is not open to the public. And feel free to get in touch anytime by phone or email if you have questions.

The period advertisement mentioned earlier advised readers considering the Ramcharger to “Head for the high ground. And take it all, the valleys and the peaks.” That still seems like pretty good advice.