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Buy this Ford vs Ferrari GT40 Movie CarInternational Scout II vs Dodge Ramcharger
In a 1970s-tastic showdown, the rough-and-tumble Dodge Ramcharger and International Harvester Scout II face off as the manliest SUV of all.
Good Ol’ Classic SUVs
These days, consumers are awash in SUV options, from a bare bones Jeep Wrangler to a perfumed Rolls-Royce. But it wasn’t always that way. There was a time when automakers just trimmed the wheelbase of their full-size trucks and called it a sporty utility vehicle. Such trucks were high on off-road cred with minimal attention paid to creature comforts.
In America, this era generally kicked off in the 1960s and ran through the 1980s until the Jeep Cherokee and later Ford Explorer began to lean towards our current image of an SUV. Two of these early brutes, the International Harvester (IH) Scout II and first-gen Dodge Ramcharger, embodied this Utility First ethos and are the subject of today’s comparison. Let’s dig in!
Looking at the Start of SUVs
The Jeep Willys is often pointed to as a progenitor of the SUV species due to its wide use in World War II, after which they were adopted for all manner of domestic utility. It was around this time that International Harvester, purveyor of everything from farm trucks to refrigerators since the turn of the century, put together “people carriers”. Starting with their Travelall and first-gen Scout, a full history of which you can read here, IH eventually developed the Scout II that ran from 1971 to 1980. An unpretentious, all-business sport truck, the Scout II offered a full dose of 1970s automotive awesome.
Of course, the Big Three were not lazing about while this burgeoning segment got off the ground. In fact, there was already a host of competitors to the original Jeep, some of which you can read about here. Though Ford initially built the Bronco as a compact off-road vehicle on its own chassis, they later used a shortened F-150 chassis. Chevy followed the chopped truck model with their K5 Blazer, which made for a great competitor to the Bronco, as discussed in this article. Dodge was a few years late to the party with their Ramcharger in 1974; however, this shortened Ram pickup-based vehicle was in production all the way to 1993.
Taking a Look at These Classic SUVs
Built from 1971 until 1980, the Scout II was only around for a single generation that overlapped nicely with Dodge’s first generation Ramcharger that ran from 1974 to 1980. The standard model Scout II was a two-door, full-size 4×4 that replaced the Scout 800 series from 1965. It featured a 100” wheelbase and removable soft or hardtop with charmingly tough good looks. Inside, a pair of front buckets and rear bench were finished in vinyl and cloth. Running gear ranged from a 196 CID inline-4 to a 345 CID V8 with 3- and 4-speed manual or automatic transmissions available.
In contrast to the IH’s dedicated platform, Dodge’s Ramcharger was simply a D-series pickup truck shortened by 9 inches. It also sported a removable roof in either steel with a flip-up rear tailgate window or vinyl with roll-up side windows. For future trivia points, sister brand Plymouth sold a badge-engineered Trail Duster at the same time, the first and only Plymouth SUV. Initially only available in 4WD, the Dodge Ramcharger could be fitted with a host of powertrains from a 225 CID inline-6 all the way up to a 440 CID big block V8 and similar transmission options to the Scout II.
Though the Dodge Ramcharger offered just the one model throughout its production run, IH expanded the Scout II lineup in 1976 with two variants riding on a stretched 118” wheelbase. The half-cab pickup styled Terra came with a fiberglass cargo cap and optional diesel built by Nissan. Fun fact: On some early diesel-powered Terras, the motor is painted yellow with “Chrysler Nissan Diesel” cast into the valve cover. Prior to their contract with International, Nissan was building these mills for Chrysler Marine and used up the remaining yellow-painted stock before moving to a blue finish.
With an optional third row, the Scout II Traveler also rode on the 118” wheelbase giving it a 2-door Suburban look. Only made from 1977 to 1979, the Super Scout II rode on the regular wheelbase, but was designed as a more dedicated off-roader to compete directly with Jeep’s CJ. Removable fabric doors, a rollbar, and soft-top were all trademarks of this package. Like all Scout IIs at this point, Dana 44 axles were fitted front and back with a Dana 20 transfer case on the “SS II”, which helped with its off-road racing prowess.
IH Scout II vs Dodge Ramcharger Accomplishments
Most notably, Jerry Boone won the 1977 Baja 1000 desert race in the Production Vehicle class behind the wheel of an International Harvester Super Scout II, crossing the finish line 2 hours in front of the second place Jeep CJ7. Super Scout II racing victories continued into the early 80s with wins up and down the west coast including the Baja 250, Mint 400, and SCORE World Championship. IH capitalized on this success with plenty of boasting in period ads.
The Dodge Ramcharger was not as prolific on the off-road circuit, though it did win the Sno*Drift Michigan winter rally in 1975. Quite a bit larger than the Scout II at 185” long and 80” wide versus 166” and 70”, respectively for the Scout II, the Ramcharger started life as a straight utility vehicle with a driver’s seat only. International marketed the Scout II as a something-for-everyone in period advertisements featuring suburban families, businessmen, hunters and handymen all in the same photo. Dodge, on the other hand, was looking for buyers interested in a simple fishing and camping truck that could get off the grid.
1970s Marketing Ploys
In its first year, the Dodge Ramcharger could only be had with four-wheel-drive, but a RWD version was added by 1975. Dodge also began adding cabin upgrades like a passenger seat, carpeting, inside hood release, and optional rear bench. They also fitted that RWD model with a coil-sprung independent front suspension that would dramatically improve ride and handling characteristics. Another clever Ramcharger feature was the insulated center console, ready to be filled with ice and the beverage of your choice.
Now, put yourself in the mind of 1970s America when the social climate was a little bit different than today. Activities like camping and adventuring were considered “manly” pursuits and what better way to peacock about than in your Ramcharger Macho edition. Yes, that was the actual name. Sporting two-tone paint, special black wheels, pin striping, and oversized exterior 4×4 graphics, the Macho model was part of Dodge’s “Adult Toys” marketing campaign. For a glimpse into the mindset of this era, take a look at some period ads showcasing the Ramcharger Macho and Tradesman Street Van, the latter of which is replete with a giant male symbol painted down the side.
International Harvester went more “‘Murica” with their Scout II special editions like the Spirit of 76 and Patriot packages. As a celebration of America’s bicentennial, the Spirt of 76 Scout II sported radical exterior graphics, a blue interior, and chrome rally wheels. The Patriot was fairly similar while the 70s-tastic Special Limited Edition RS from 1980 was finished in Tahitian Red on the body and wheels with an all-velour Russet interior scheme. This pales in comparison to the Midas models that were snazzed up with shag carpet, swiveling buckets, dual sunroofs, and color-keyed interiors.
Ramcharger or Scout II? Either Will Do
If, like me, you are now pining for a big ol’ vintage SUV to put in your driveway, vehicles like the International Harvester Scout II and Dodge Ramcharger are ideal candidates. A Ford Bronco or Chevy K5 Blazer also fall into this camp, but are starting to become pricey collectibles. As big and bad as any of these trucks, Dodge’s Ramcharger gets the gold star for offering that honking 440 cubic inch V8, far bigger than anything found in a Scout II. The Dodge can also be bought today in the $15,000 to $25,000 range versus $20,000 to $40,000 for a comparable Scout II.
However, International Harvester’s Scout II is the winner in my book mainly because it’s more unusual. Not just a trimmed pickup truck, the Scout II sports a hard-to-define orphan brand mystique, funkier 70s-esque packages, and a wider variety of models, like the stretched Traveler, making it a rather compelling vintage SUV.
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