The Dodge RAM 50 is a pickup truck built from 1987 to 1993 over 5 generations. Most were assembled in Japan — 100% of those on record. Engines offered: 4-cyl. Worth buying? It holds up well, with the usual caveat about model years at 4.0/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the RAM 50 is
The Dodge RAM 50 is a pickup truck that Dodge built from 1987 to 1993 — 7 model years. Our measurements put it at 5 generations, the current one starting in 1991. It has been offered with 4-cyl power. Its closest siblings in the Dodge range: Charger, Ram, Challenger.
Where the RAM 50 is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 18 RAM 50s on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | JB7 | 1987-1990 |
Check your own: the first three characters of a Dodge VIN decide which of these 5 lines your RAM 50 belongs to. What every character in a RAM 50 VIN means →
Got the full 17 characters? A free VIN check on a Dodge RAM 50 adds what the decoder can't see: open recalls, theft and total-loss records, and the safety ratings for that exact build.
RAM 50 generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the RAM 50's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the RAM 50 that gives 5 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981-1982 | 465 cm | 278 cm | - | - | - |
| 1985-1987 | 469 cm | 278 cm | 1106 kg | +4 cm | - |
| 1988-1989 | - | 295 cm | 1243 kg | - | +137 kg |
| 1990 | 471 cm | 281 cm | 1202 kg | - | -41 kg |
| 1991-1993 | 449 cm | 267 cm | 1175 kg | -22 cm | -27 kg |
Between 1985 and 1993 the RAM 50 gained -20 cm in length (-4.3%) and 69 kg in weight (+6.2%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the RAM 50 that is 69 kg against -20 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Dodge RAM 50 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment RAM 50 owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Dodge RAM 50 have? Power & range
The Dodge RAM 50 is offered with 1 powertrain — 2.4L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Dodge RAM 50, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.4L · 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | RWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Dodge RAM 50 tow? Towing & payload
As a pickup, the Dodge RAM 50 is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your RAM 50's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
The RAM 50 by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Dodge RAM 50. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | RAM 50 | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 5 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 32 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.0 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Insurance | $1,517/yr | Estimated full coverage |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Dodge RAM 50?
The RAM 50 is a pickup truck, built from 1987 to 1993 across 5 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl.
Where is the Dodge RAM 50 made?
Across 18 cars in our records the split is: Japan (100%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the RAM 50 have?
5 by our measurements, the latest starting in 1991. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car.
What is the Dodge RAM 50 warranty?
New models carry 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the RAM 50 reliable?
It scores 4.0/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific RAM 50?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Dodge
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Charger | 1983–2026 | 133 | 98 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Dodge Ram | 1994–2012 | 188 | 17 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Dodge Challenger | 1981–2026 | 77 | 23 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Dodge Durango | 1995–2026 | 160 | 21 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Dodge Viper | 1992–2017 | 45 | 16 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Dodge Caravan | 1984–2008 | 208 | 35 mpg | 3.5/5 |
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