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Dodge Rampage
Manufacturer	Chrysler Corporation
Also called	Plymouth Scamp
Production	1982–1984
Class	Compact pickup truck
Body style	2-door truck
Platform	FF L-body
Engine	2.2 L K I4
Similar	Volkswagen Rabbit Sportruck Chevrolet S10 Ford Ranger Chevrolet El Camino

The Dodge Rampage was a compact pickup truck based on Chrysler's L platform. First released as a 1982 model, it was later joined by the similar Plymouth Scamp. It was produced from 1982 to 1984.

The Rampage was part of the Dodge Omni family, borrowing that car's chassis and the front fascia from the sporty 024/Charger variant.

It was available with a 2.2 L carbureted straight-4 engine with 96 hp (71 kW) and a curb weight of around 2400 lb (1089 kg). In the first year it had leisurely performance due to the 4-speed manual transmission.

Performance was improved with the introduction of a 5-speed manual transmission in 1983. The truck had a load capacity of 1,145 lb (520 kg), for a true "half ton" rating. This compared favorably to General Motors' Chevrolet El Camino. It must be noted, however, that the Volkswagen Rabbit Sportruck was the Rampage's only real competition.

The Dodge Rampage was based on the popular Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon. Their high gasoline mileage and modest price were good for the time, but the engine was also the cause of the vehicle's failure — it could not deliver the performance of the El Camino, but when one compared it to the Volkswagen Rabbit Sportruck, the Rampage seemed to have the upper hand. The Rampage's front wheel drive configuration also added to its deficiencies, as a front wheel drive layout is not usually used for trucks. The front drive and rear leaf spring layout did lend itself to another Dodge product, the ubiqiuos minivan. The Plymouth Scamp was only sold in 1983, making it a collector's item. The Rampage lasted three years, though, and was removed from production after the 1984 model year.

In the Rampage's final model year, an extremely rare Dodge Shelby Rampage was released. 318 were produced, and it was only sold through Moss Motors in Riverside California. It shared many parts with the Shelby Charger. Dodge was also planning another high performance Rampage with a Pontiac Fiero-esque front fascia. However, Dodge decided to discontinue the Rampage, and the project was scrapped. The only prototype was sold to its designer. [1]

Dodge Rampage Concept

Main article: Dodge Rampage Concept

Dodge resurrected the Rampage name at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show. This new concept car is again a front wheel drive pickup, but is as large as the full-size Dodge Ram. It is powered by the 5.7 L Hemi V8.