•  This was the third generation of Vans for Dodge.

• The Ram Van “B” was introduced mid year in 1970 as a1971 model.

• It was built until 2003 with only 2 minor facelifts giving it a record as far as Domestic vehicles for longevity of design.

• Originally built in Fenton, Missouri, a new plant in Windsor, Ontario  was built to help fill demand.

• This modern van with a one piece windshield wasmore aerodynaic and used less fuel and was quieter inside.

• It was also sold as Plymouth “Voyager” until the 1983 Minivan was introduced and Fargo versions in Canada in 1971 and 1972.

• The Dodge van was lighter with a lower cargo floor due to it’s one piece “Uniframe” construction.

• Engines found in Dodge trucks also were used in the vans from 3.6 litre slant 6 cylinders to V8 7.2 Litre 440 cu. in.

• Even offered a “Clean” version with  a compressed natrual Gas “CNG” 5.2-liter engine with a 480 KM range.

• Offered in two wheelbases 109″ and 127″ Maxiwagon.

• Dodge introduced the 15 passenger van well before Ford or GM.

• The “Van craze” of the 1970’s spurred sales of Vans and for 1978 the Dodge Street Van was offered with chrome grille.

• The Kary-Van was a one ton van with dual rear tires and a boxlike body for tradesmen.

• The passenger wagon/van era ended with the minivans popularity.

• The “B” vans were replaced by the Mercedes based sprinter van with the merging of Mercedes and chrysler.

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The Third-generation Dodge Van, The Ram Van “B” model was introduced part way through 1970 as a 1971 model and continued until 2003 with 2 minor facelifts. They were assembled at the Fenton, Missouri, plant at first, then A new plant in Windsor, Ontario (Pillette Road, or Plant #6) was completed to help fill demand.

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 The Van was popular with Tradesmen, families and customizers as the custom Van scene was just around the corner. Available as a B 100, 1/2 ton, B 200 3/4 ton and B 300 1 ton the were refered to as the “B’ Series.

The radical new look got ride of the split window and the new more aerodynamic design cut wind noise and gas consumption.

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More car-like interior with many parts from passenger cars, modern front suspension to an independent design with coil springs.

From David Zatz www.allpar.com

The vans came with a single sun visor, two-speed wipers, single driver’s seat, turn signals, heat, painted hubcaps, backup lights, and some other items considered essential today. Power steering and brakes were available across the board, with optional air conditioners and fresh-air heater/defrosters.

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This Chrysler B platform was available as a 3-door van, 4-door van, 3-door wagon, 4-door wagon. It followed the  Dodge A100 and was succeeded by the Mercedes Benz based Dodge Sprinter. Even with the 2 facelifts, a chassis name change to “AB” much of the sheet metal stayed the same for 33 years of production, making it one of the longest running chassis in the American auto industry. It was also sold as Plymouth and Fargo versions .

The Dodge van was lighter and had a lower cargo floor due to it’s one-welded-piece “Uniframe” construction. The lower cewntre of gravity achieved by the “uni-body” design was stronger, better handling than the competition but was noisier and prone to vibration and harshness.

 For power nearly all the engine available in Dodge Trucks were offered in the B Van over the years.

 Inline 3.6 litre 6 Cylider 225-cubic-inch (3,690 cm3) Slant Six (1971–1987

V6 3.9-liter LA V6 (1988–1991),

V63.9 L Magnum V6 (1992–2007).

V8 LA-series 318 cu. in. (1971–1991),

V8 360 cu. in. (1972–1992),

V8 Magnum 5.2 L (1992–2007),

V8 Magnum 5.9 L (1993–2007).

V8 6.6 Litre 400 cu. in.

V8 7.2 Litre 440 cu. in. (1976–1978).

Also available with a CNG 5.2-liter engine utilizing compressed natural gas (CNG), that allowed 480 KM on a full tank.

Only Dodge kept building full-size vans with short-wheelbases into the 1990’s.

The First generation of the “B” van was in production from 1971–1978 as a Two-door or 8–15-passenger van.

Sportsman Wagons 109″ wb 127″ wb Maxiwagon

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During this time  B vans were given names, the Sportsman passenger vans had side windows and passenger seating not present in the otherwise identical Tradesman models. Dodge introduced the Maxiwagon in 1971 seating 15 passengers, well before Ford in 1978 and GM in 1990.

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With the Cutom Van craze in full swing, Chrysler marketed the B 200 van with “Adult Toys”, such as  the D-Series-based Dodge Warlock, Dodge Lil’ Red Express pick up Truck, and Dodge Macho Power Wagon, plus the Dodge Macho Ramcharger.

1978 Dodge Street Van packages allowed consumers to have a factory customised option called the “Street Van” package, this included  “Street Van” logos on the doors instead of “Tradesman” logos and chrome trim on the grille.

In 1971 and 72 the Dodge Fargo was sold in Canada and Plymouth sold vans as “Voyager” up until 1983 when the name went on the new 1984 Minivan

The is also a Kary-Van with a van cab and heavy-duty 1-Ton chassis with dual tires on the rear axle. Fitted with a box like cargo area it was well suited to tradesmen.

The minivan eventually took over the passenger wagon market. With the Sprinter, Chrysler shifted from American-style full-sized vans in favor of more fuel-efficient European-style models.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Ram_Van

https://www.allpar.com/trucks/b-vans.html