Does anybody know why it's so hard to find parts for a Dodge Ramcharger, specifically?

Question

I currently "own" (technically my dad does) a 1987 Dodge Ram 150 pickup that says Ramcharger on the fender badge. The part sites I have looked on do not have a category for a specific 'Ramcharger' Dodge truck, oooh no, they have to be fancy and say D-150, W-250, so on and so forth, and I'm getting frustrated. The only parts sites that seem (and I use this word lightly) to have the parts, don't have parts for the right trim, some only go as far back as the 90's and some even go so far as to have beaten up worthless parts, or only have parts for brand new vehicles. The sites that actually do (supposedly) have the parts, don't have them in stock or only have links leading to sites that have something completely unrelated. Also, how am I supposed to know which of two engines I'm supposed to have, when nothing is clearly marked and I only know what the cubic inch measurement is? If anybody would care to answer seriously, and tell me a reliable parts site, I would greatly appreciate it.

sorry, it doesn't say ramcharger on the side, it says power ram, but either way, the parts sites I have gone to don't say they have a section for power ram, they have sections for d-1,2, and 350's and w-1,2, and 350's

Answer 1

A Ramcharger is a 2-door SUV based on the Ram pickup. They look alot like a Bronco, or a Blazer (only much better looking, because it's a Dodge.) If you have a pickup that says "Ramcharger" on the fender, my guess would be that those fenders came off of a junkyard truck, and the previous owner wasn't concerned about the incorrect badging. Ramchargers are not signifcantly different from Ram pickups, and parts can be interchanged pretty freely.
If you're sure that it's a 150, you can figure out the model easily. If it's 2wd it's a D150, if it's 4wd it's a W150.
About Identifying your engine, you say you know the cubic inches? That's easy, then. The 318 is 5.2 liters, and the 360 is 5.9 liters. If you don't know that, then look at the VIN (or VIN number if you insist on using the incorrect term.) The 8th digit is the engine code. This will tell you which engine was equipped originally. If it's an H it's a 225 slant six (3.7 liters), if it's a T it's a 318 V8 (5.2) if it's a W it's a 360 V8 (5.9) and a 1 means it's a 360 with a carburator (most trucks were fuel injected by that time.) It's most likely that the same size engine is still in it today, even if it has been replaced. Usually when replacing an engine most people will stay with the original size, but consider the possibility that it has been changed sometime in the last 20 years. If you can see it, the engine size is marked on the left front of the block, below the left cylinder head.
I have a 90 Ramcharger, and don't have any trouble finding parts at Autozone, O'reilly, and Advance. I'm not sure what you're looking for, but these trucks have a loyal following. check out http://ramchargercentral.com/

Answer 2

I own a 87 dodge ramcharger LE-150, I have the same problem when ordering trim parts, have to cross reference by the V. I. N. number

Answer 3

Take a deep breath and count to ten!!! Here are some truck parts sites for you to look at!!!

http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByVehicle/DODGE/RAMCHARGER

http://www.laysons.com/catalogindex.cfm

http://robertstruckcenter.com/parts/

Answer 4

i know how you feel ,,i had one of those trucks,,and could not find anything for it,,i do have a source for parts though,,if this guy doesn't have them,,no one does,,the site is ,,,,www.davisautoparts.com,,i think they still have their site up,,he can find the parts you need for it,,good luck with it,,i hope this helps.

Answer 5

Go to the first web site below and decode your vin# then try your local parts store or try the second web site.

www.stockmopar.com

www.yearone.com

Answer 6

I'd follow Drew Dane's advice. He just told you everything I was going to.

He knows his stuff, listen to him.