The first-generation Chrysler minivans are a series of minivans produced and marketed by Chrysler Corporation from the 1984 to the 1990 model years. Introduced as the first minivans from an American manufacturer and popularizing the minivan as a vehicle, the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager were launched ahead of chief competitors Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari and Ford Aerostar.
Using the front-wheel drive Chrysler S platform, the minivans were produced in both passenger and cargo configurations. Initially offered in a single wheelbase, a longer-wheelbase Grand Caravan/Grand Voyager was introduced for 1987. For 1988, the Chrysler Voyager was introduced for export sale (mainly to Europe), intended as a competitor for the Renault Espace. For the final year of the generation, the luxury-oriented Chrysler Town & Country was introduced.
Chrysler manufactured the S-platform minivans in the United States and Canada in its Saint Louis Assembly (Fenton, Missouri) and Windsor Assembly (Windsor, Ontario) facilities.
Background and development
The development of what ultimately became the Chrysler minivans began in the early 1970s as concurrent projects of Ford Motor Company and the truck division of Dodge. As an alternative to Volkswagen Microbus, both companies sought to create a "garageable van", more powerful, safer-handling vans capable as a practical second car.
In 1964, when Chrysler adopted three platforms for all products called the C, B, and A, Chrysler also introduced the Dodge A100 cab-over van in response to the first generation Ford Econoline, Chevrolet Van and Chevy Corvair Greenbrier.
The Dodge van project did not progress past a clay model design. Chrysler chairman Lynn Townsend argued that if a market for such a vehicle existed, Ford and General Motors would have already done it. In 1973, Ford developed the Ford Carousel as a running prototype; derived from the Ford Club Wagon (itself in development), the Carousel adopted a lower "garageable" roofline and "automotive-style" interior and exterior features. While supported by multiple Ford executives, the Carousel fell victim to the 1973 oil crisis, as the company focused development resources on redesigning its sedan lines.
At the end of 1977, development of Chrysler minivans restarted with four main goals; 1982 was planned for a potential model year launch.
The ability to park in a standard-size garage Car-like NVH Low, flat load floor Removable rear seats (ability to carry a 4×8 sheet of building material on the floor)
Although both the front-wheel drive K-Cars and L-body (Omni/Horizon) were being considered as donor platforms, Chrysler also allowed consideration of rear-wheel drive. Ultimately, the L-body was ruled out, as it was considered too light-duty for either the size of the vehicle or its planned six-cylinder engine. During 1978, Chrysler began research across the United States, seeking what features customers desired in a potential minivan, finding agreement in its planned goals. Though potential customers found concept sketches "ugly", Chrysler still found a potential market of nearly 1 million vehicles per year, with Chrysler selling 215,000 of them.
In 1978, both Lee Iacocca and Hal Sperlich were fired from Ford, moving to similar positions within Chrysler Corporation. The same year, Chrysler Corporation merged the truck engineering division of Dodge within its car counterpart of Chrysler. By 1979, Chrysler chose front-wheel drive for the minivan project, codenamed "T-115". Though the van would share its transverse engine and transmission with the K-cars, it would be based on a separate body structure. Approved by Lee Iacocca at the end of 1979, the T-115 project would cost $500 million to produce, funded as part of the $1.5 billion in federal loan guarantees given to Chrysler.
From its 1979 approval to its 1984 launch, the proposed T-115 design would undergo several major changes. Originally intended to use four sedan-style doors (similar to a station wagon), Chrysler changed to two sliding doors for the rear, claiming better parking-lot access. The configuration was ultimately changed to a single sliding door, as Chrysler wanted to market the van to commercial buyers. While engineers wanted to make a left-side sliding door an option, its deletion was done to reduce production costs. During development, the configuration of the rear door was also contentious; initially favoring a tailgate, designers shifted to a liftgate (a design also used by the K-Car wagons). On the exterior, the side windows were redesigned to become flush with the body in 1981; while requiring a major redesign of components and tooling, the design change allowed for a reduction of wind noise and drag. To further reduce costs, a number of visible interior components were shared with the Dodge Aries/Plymouth Reliant, including the instrument panel, interior controls, radio, and various trim items.
Drivetrain choices proved problematic as the 2.2L I4 of the K-cars was considered inadequate; the 3.7L Slant Six was unsuited for transverse mounting. The Mitsubishi-sourced 2.6L I4 was adopted as an interim engine until 1987 when Chrysler dropped it in favor of a Mitsubishi-sourced 3.0L V6. The Chrysler V6 engine was eventually introduced for the model line in 1989, choosing not to use the Chrysler LA 239 V6 engine.
Overview Launched in November 1983 for the 1984 model year, Chrysler marketed the first-generation minivans as the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager, along with the Mini Ram Van cargo van. While the Dodge Caravan nameplate was all-new, the Voyager nameplate had been in use since 1974, marketed as the Plymouth equivalent of the Dodge Sportsman full-size passenger van.
Initially released in a single 112-inch wheelbase, a 119-inch long-wheelbase Grand Caravan/Grand Voyager was introduced for the 1987 model year. Chrysler began marketing minivans under its own brand starting in 1988, with the Chrysler Voyager introduced for export sale; the Chrysler Town & Country was introduced for 1990, serving as one of the first luxury-oriented minivans.
Body
Designed as an alternative to full-size station wagons, the standard-length Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager (two inches shorter and two inches wider than a K-car station wagon), presented nearly double the cargo space of a K-car station wagon with a 7-foot long cargo floor. Similar to the K-car station wagons, the minivans use a liftgate rear door (supported by gas struts), unlocked by key.
Several seating configurations were offered, depending on trim level. The standard configuration of five-passenger seating in two rows was included with seven or eight-passenger seating in three rows; the back two seats were two-passenger and three-passenger bench seats (in the style of a larger van, these latched to the floor). The more popular two-passenger configuration was offered in several configurations, with low-back seats (as the minivan was technically a light truck), or high back seats with headrests; depending on trim level, seats could have vinyl, "deluxe" cloth or vinyl, or "luxury" cloth/vinyl upholstery. Two styles of rear seats were offered. The three-passenger rear bench was adjustable for passenger legroom or cargo space; the seatback also folded down when not in use. In 1985, a five-passenger version was introduced with a fold-flat rear seat; called "Convert-a-bed", the option allowed the rear seat to fold backwards into a bed. The Convert-a-bed was also available paired with the front bench seat.
To lower production and development costs of the Chrysler minivans, the vehicles maintained a high degree of visible parts commonality with other Chrysler vehicles, sharing wheel covers, door handles, instrument panels, and other visible trim pieces with the Aries/Reliant and other Chrysler vehicles. As the design of the dashboard precluded a conventional glove box, Chrysler added a large storage drawer underneath the passenger seat (a feature retained in later generations of Chrysler minivans and the Chrysler PT Cruiser). The minivans also became some of the earliest mass produced automobiles to feature dedicated cup holders that were outside of the glovebox from the factory.
1984–1986 At their 1984 launch, the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager followed suit with the K-cars, with the two model lines being externally distinguished primarily by their grille design; both were fitted with vertically-stacked headlamps. The Caravan was styled with an eggcrate grille with the Voyager receiving a grille with horizontally-oriented trim. In a styling feature exclusive to the first two generations of the Chrysler minivans, top-trim examples of the model line both offered simulated woodgrain paneling as an option.
In following with many other Chrysler vehicles, the Caravan/Voyager shifted from 4-lug to 5-lug wheels for 1986. To reduce high-speed wind noise, Chrysler added a bumper-mounted air dam.
1987–1990 The 1987 model year saw a mid-cycle update to the S-platform minivans, largely alongside the May 1987 release of the extended-wheelbase Grand Caravan and Grand Voyager. Adding seven inches of wheelbase and fourteen inches of length, the two "Grand" minivans were the largest vehicles in the segment in North America for 1987. With both rear seats removed, the Grand Caravan/Voyager offered 150 cubic feet of cargo room, 25 extra than a standard wheelbase Chrysler minivan. The Caravan/Voyager were restyled slightly, as different grilles better distinguished the two model lines; with the exception of the Mini Ram Van, all versions were fitted with flush-lens composite headlamps.
While the long-wheelbase "Grand" configuration would go on to become the most popular configuration, the seldom-ordered front bench seat and Convert-A-Bed options were discontinued for 1987. The interior trim underwent several upgrades; along with the deletion of low-back bucket seats, "deluxe" vinyl became the standard upholstery on base and SE trims; leather seating was introduced as an option for LE trims.
The drivetrain saw several updates, with Chrysler dropping carbureted engines; the Mitsubishi inline-4 was replaced by a Chrysler-designed 2.5L engine, with the model line receiving an optional V6 engine for the first time (standard on long-wheelbase versions).
For 1989, the minivans saw a minor update to the exterior and interior. To improve fit and finish quality, Chrysler redesigned the front and rear bumpers with single-piece bumper covers (painted to match the color of the body). While the rest of the interior remained largely unchanged, the steering column traded its early-1980s K-Car steering wheel for a 3-spoke unit. Three flagship trims were introduced, with Chrysler adding the standard-wheelbase Dodge Caravan ES and Plymouth Voyager LX; as an early 1990 model, Chrysler added a minivan to its namesake brand, introducing the extended-wheelbase Town & Country (after serving as the Chrysler station wagon since 1951).
Chassis The first-generation Chrysler minivans are based upon the Chrysler S platform, using unibody construction. Contrary to popular belief, the S platform is not directly related to the K platform; though sharing powertrains to lower development and production costs, the S platform has a distinct body structure, allowing for a higher hoodline and seat height. The S platform is produced in two wheelbases: 112.1 inches for standard-length minivans; 119.1 inches for "Grand"-length minivans.
Adapting the layout of the K platform for a larger vehicle, the S-platform vans were fitted with MacPherson strut front suspension and a beam rear axle with leaf springs. All S-platform minivans are fitted with front disc and rear drum brakes.
Engines