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Wikipedia: Plymouth Voyager
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History
The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Plymouth Voyager page on 9 August 2016, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
Plymouth Voyager is a nameplate used on two vans manufactured by Plymouth.
From 1974–1983 Plymouth marketed a full size van as the Voyager, a badged variant of the Dodge Sportsman.
From 1984-2000, Plymouth marketed a minivan as the Voyager, simultaneously introduced with the Dodge Caravan and marketed over four generations in short-wheelbase (SWB) (1984-2000) and long-wheelbase (LWB)(1987-2000) variants — the latter as the Plymouth Grand Voyager. After model year 2000, Chrysler (at the time DaimlerChrysler AG) discontinued its Plymouth division, and the Voyager and Grand Voyager were marketed as the Chrysler Voyager (2001–2003). The Plymouth Voyager was marketed as Chryslers in Mexico prior to that.
Combined with its rebadged variants, the Chrysler minivans rank as the 13th best-selling automotive nameplate worldwide.
1974–1983
The Plymouth Voyager manufactured and marketed from 1974-1983 was a rebadged Dodge Sportsman with 12–15-passenger capacity. The Voyager was Plymouth's first truck-bodied vehicle since 1942. The second one was the Plymouth Trail Duster, which came out a year later.
Early Plymouth Voyagers were distinguished from their Dodge counterparts by the large "PLYMOUTH" logo across the center of the grille surrounded by two horizontal grille pieces that also enclosed the parking and directional signals. In 1978, the lettering was reduced in sized, and moved to the hood on the driver's side. By 1979, it was almost indistinguishable from high end Dodge Royal Sportsman, and would remain so until 1983.
Minivan background
Generation I (1984–1990)
In 1984, Chrysler marketed the rebadged Plymouth variant of its new minivan as the Voyager, using the Chrysler's S platform, derived from the K-platform (Plymouth Reliant and Dodge Aries). The Voyager shared components with the K-cars including portions of the interior, e.g., the Reliant's instrument cluster and dashboard controls, along with the K-platform front-wheel drive layout and low floor, giving the Voyager a car-like ease of entry. The Voyager was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1985.
For 1987 the Voyager received minor cosmetic updates as well as the introduction of the Grand Voyager, which was built on a longer wheelbase adding more cargo room. It was available only with SE or LE trim.
First-generation Voyager minivans were offered in three trim levels: an unnamed base model, mid-grade SE, and high-end LE, the latter bearing simulated woodgrain paneling. A sportier LX model was added in 1989, sharing much of its components with the Caravan ES.
Safety features included 3-point seat belts for the front two passengers and lap belts for rear passengers. Standard on all Voyagers were legally mandated side-impact reinforcements for all seating front and rear outboard positions. Safety features such as airbags or ABS were not available.
Original commercials for the 1984 Voyager featured magician Doug Henning as a spokesperson to promote the Voyager "Magic Wagon's" versatility, cargo space, low step-in height, passenger volume, and maneuverability. Later commercials in 1989 featured rock singer Tina Turner. Canadian commercials in 1990 featured pop singer Celine Dion.
Generation II (1990–1995)
The Plymouth Voyager was modified for 1991 with new sheet metal. The S platform was still used, though renamed the "AS platform". These were the last Voyagers that were derived from the Chrysler K platform.
Trim levels were carried over from the previous generation. 1991 Voyagers were available in base, mid-grade SE, high-end LE, and high-end sporty LX. The LX which was available only on short-wheelbase Voyagers, was marketed as a sport-luxury minivan and came with the most standard equipment including alloy wheels, fog lamps, and wide array of power-operated features.
In later years various trim packages were offered on SE models. The "Sport Wagon" package available from 1993–1995 featured accent color (gray) bumpers and molding, fog lamps, and special aluminum wheels. The "Rallye" package offered in 1995, took the place of the departed LX model. It was more luxury-oriented, with lower body two-tone paint — regardless of upper body color, the lower body was painted "Driftwood Beige" — silver aluminum wheels, and special badging. The font first used for the Rallye's badging was adopted for all of Plymouth's badging from 1996 onward.
Interiors were more differentiated in this generation than on the first with a redesigned dashboard for 1994 featured a passenger-side front airbag. and a seating package, marketed as "Quad Command" seating package, available on SE, LE, and LX models. Quad command replaced the 2nd row bench with two individual bucket seats with a center aisle to the 3rd row bench. Interior options varied with trim levels and packages. Cloth seating was standard on all models; leather seating was a standalone extra-cost option on LE and LX models.
Only badging and minor cosmetics differentiated the Voyager from its Dodge Caravan rebadged variant. The Chrysler Town & Country shared the Voyager's headlamps and taillights along with its own chrome waterfall grille.
Generation III (1996–2000)
The 1996 Plymouth Voyager was completely redesigned from the ground up. Gone were its K-car underpinnings and architecture, replaced with more modern components and Chrysler's acclaimed cab-forward design. The third generation redesign used the Chrysler NS platform and included a driver's-side sliding door, a minivan first. The Voyager was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1996 and 1997.
As part of Chrysler's new corporate strategy to better focus the Plymouth brand on entry-level vehicles, U.S. market third generation Voyagers and Grand Voyagers were mostly available in base trim and better-equipped SE models. Although export markets continued to receive the LE model, the "Rallye", originally a trim package on SE and LE models in 1995, became a high-end standalone trim level for this generation, replacing the LE for the US market. A Rallye option package continued to be available on SE model. It was replaced by the "Expresso" for 1998. As with the Rallye, the Expresso was either a package for the SE or a stand-alone model to replace the LE. Expresso models did feature their own optional higher-grade cloth seating. Export Voyager LEs were equipped similarly to the Chrysler Town & Country LX, which was sold in the U.S. and Mexico, but not Canada. Voyager LE featured a standard Infinity sound system, a power driver's seat, deluxe cloth seating as found on standalone Rallye and Expresso models (leather was optional), and either steel wheels with covers or alloy wheels, both shared with the Town & Country LX, among other features. All North American Voyagers of the third generation were not available with front fog lights.
Base Voyagers and Voyager SEs were easily distinguished by their body-side moldings. Base models used a narrow accent color strip and SE models used a wide accent color strip with a "Plymouth" badge above it on either front door. Rallye and Expresso models used the SE's body-side molding with their own badge in the place of the Plymouth one. Export-market LEs used the base model's narrow accent color molding combined with a full accent color effect on the lower portion of the doors. The vinyl woodgrain-appearance side paneling was no longer available, as the new side sheetmetal was no longer flat.
Third generation Voyagers introduced a new system of rear seats to simplify installation, removal, and re-positioning— marketed as "Easy-Out Roller Seats". All Voyagers and Grand Voyagers were equipped with this feature. When installed, the 2nd and 3rd row seats (either bucket or bench seats) were latched to floor-mounted strikers. When unlatched, eight rollers lifted each seat, allowing it to be rolled fore and aft. Tracks had locator depressions for rollers, thus enabling simple installation. Ergonomic levers at the seatbacks released the floor latches single-handedly without tools and raised the seats onto the rollers in a single motion. Additionally, seatbacks were designed to fold forward. Seat roller tracks were permanently attached to the floor and seat stanchions were aligned, facilitating the longitudinal rolling of the seats. Bench seat stanchions were moved inboard to reduce bending stress in the seat frames, allowing them to be lighter.
Generation IV (2001-2003 Chrysler Voyager)
For the fourth generation of the minivan in 2001, the Plymouth Voyager was rebadged as the Chrysler Voyager in the US. It was offered in the short wheelbase only. The Chrysler Voyager was discontinued after 2003 and the short wheelbase Chrysler minivan became part of the Town & Country line.
Reference Desk
The Crittenden Automotive Library's "Reference Desk" is a collection of materials that cannot be shared due to copyright restrictions. Information from these resources, however, can be shared. Go to the Reference Desk page for more information.
| Type | Title |
|---|---|
2002  Book | Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager & Chrysler Town & Country 1996 thru 2002 Haynes Repair Manual by L. Alan LeDoux and John H. Haynes; Haynes |
| Date | Document Name & Details | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| classified date 1991 | On-Site Air Bag Investigation 1991 Plymouth Voyager National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |  PDF - 22.6MB - 189 pages |
| classified date 1993 | Airbag Accident Investigation 1993 Plymouth Voyager National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 19.0MB - 124 pages |
| classified date 1993 | Remote Air Bag Report 1993 Plymouth Voyager National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 4.7MB - 96 pages |
| classified date 1995 | In-Depth Accident Investigation Year/Make/Model: 1985/Plymouth Voyager National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 140MB - 83 pages |
| classified date 1995 | In-Depth Accident Investigation 1987 Plymouth Voyager (SE) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 51.6MB - 188 pages |
| classified date 1995 | In-Depth Accident Investigation 1994 Plymouth Voyager National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 116MB - 277 pages |
| classified date 1995 | On-Site Air Bag Investigation 1995 Plymouth Voyager, minivan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 91.8MB - 351 pages |
| classified date 1996 | Minivan-Car/Angle Collision 1995 Plymouth Voyager 1990 Eagle Talon National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 78.0MB - 330 pages |
| classified date 1996 | On-Site Air Bag Investigation 1994 Plymouth Voyager, 4-door, 7-passenger minivan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 141MB - 305 pages |
| March 1996 | Remote Investigation / Vehicle to Vehicle 1994 Plymouth Voyager National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 169KB - 13 pages |
| May 1996 | On-Site Air Bag Investigation Vehicle - 1994 Plymouth Voyager National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 1,305KB - 20 pages |
| July 1996 | Calspan Remote Passenger Air Bag/Injury Investigation Vehicle - 1994 Plymouth Voyager National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 344KB - 10 pages |
| June 1998 | Remote Investigation / Vehicle to Vehicle 1995 Plymouth Voyager National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 377KB - 17 pages |
| June 1998 | On-Site Fatal Air Bag Deployment Investigation 1997 Plymouth Voyager Minivan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 391KB - 23 pages |
| November 1998 | On-scene Investigation / Vehicle to Vehicle 1995 Plymouth Voyager National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 808KB - 23 pages |
| November 1998 | Veridian Remote Air Bag Related Child Passenger Fatality Investigation SCI Technical Summary Report Vehicle - 1994 Plymouth Voyager National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 126KB - 14 pages |
| March 1999 | On-Site Air Bag-Related Fatality Investigation Vehicle - 1994 Plymouth Voyager SE National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 1,698KB - 22 pages |
| May 1999 | On-Site Adapted Control Vehicle Investigation Vehicle: 1995 Plymouth Voyager/Braun Conversion National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 526KB - 15 pages |
| December 1999 | Veridian Remote Air Bag Related Child Fatality Investigation SCI Technical Summary Report Subject Vehicle - 1994 Plymouth Voyager National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 208KB - 11 pages |
| classified date 2000 | Special Crash Investigation Report Case Vehicle: 1999 Plymouth Voyager, minivan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 32.3MB - 91 pages |
| May 2000 | Veridian On-Site Air Bag Related Child Passenger Fatality Investigation Vehicle - 1995 Plymouth Voyager National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 307KB - 17 pages |
| February 2001 | SCI/NASS Combination Case Report Vehicle - 1996 Plymouth Voyager National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 1,895KB - 13 pages |
| April 2001 | On-Site Air Bag Investigation Vehicle - 1996 Plymouth Voyager National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 3,236KB - 18 pages |
| October 2001 | Remote Child Safety Seat Crash Investigation SCI Technical Summary Report Vehicle - 1997 Plymouth Voyager National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 354KB - 14 pages |
| November 2002 | General Dynamics On-Site Air Bag Related Child Fatality Investigation SCI Technical Summary Report Vehicle - 1995 Plymouth Voyager National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 309KB - 19 pages |
| July 2003 | General Dynamics On-Site Child Safety Seat Crash Investigation SCI Technical Summary Report Vehicle - 1994 Plymouth Voyager National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 300KB - 23 pages |
| October 2005 | Calspan On-Site Child Safety Seat Crash Investigation Vehicle: 1994 Plymouth Voyager National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 404KB - 17 pages |
| February 2006 | Calspan On-Site Child Air Bag Related Fatality Investigation Vehicle: 1996 Plymouth Voyager National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 295KB - 18 pages |
| January 2007 | Calspan On-Site Child Safety Seat Crash Investigation Century Convertible Child Safety Seat Vehicle: 1991 Plymouth Voyager National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 406KB - 21 pages |
| 8 April 2008 | Federal-Mogul Corporation: Part 573.6 Notitication From: Glen Parker, Federal Mogul Corporation To: Recall Management Division, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 323KB - 3 pages |
| 8 April 2008 | NHTSA Recall 08E033000 Carquest K7147, Carquest K7329, MasterPro K8683, Moog K7147, Moog K7329, One Source K8683, Parts Depot K8683, Parts Master K8683, Treadsaver K8683, TRW 104353, 1984 Chrysler E Class, 1984-1986 Chrysler Laser, 1984-1990 Chrysler LeBaron, 1984-1988 Chrysler New Yorker, 2001-2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 1989-1990 Chrysler TC, 1990 Chrysler Town and Country, 1984-1988 Dodge 600, 1984-1989 Dodge Aries, 1984-1990 Dodge Caravan, 1984-1987 Dodge Charger, 1984-1990 Dodge Daytona, 1988-1990 Dodge Grand Caravan, 1985-1989 Dodge Lancer, 1984-1988 Dodge Mini Ram Van, 2000-2005 Dodge Neon, 1984-1990 Dodge Omni, 1984 Dodge Rampage, 1987-1990 Dodge Shadow, 1989-1990 Dodge Spirit, 1995-2000 Ford Contour, 1999-2002 Mercury Cougar, 1995-2000 Mercury Mystique, 1989-1990 Plymouth Acclaim, 1985-1988 Plymouth Caravelle, 1988-1990 Plymouth Grand Voyager, 1984-1990 Plymouth Horizon, 2000-2001 Plymouth Neon, 1984-1989 Plymouth Reliant, 1987-1990 Plymouth Sundance, 1985 Plymouth Turismo, 1984-1990 Plymouth Voyager SuspensionNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration | Recall Page - 1 page |
| 24 April 2008 | Ball Joint Recall Attachment A Ball Joint Affected Date Codes and Applications Federal Mogul NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 57KB - 1 page |
| 2 May 2008 | Campaign #08E-033 From: Joe Stephan, Federal-Mogul Corporation To: Distributors NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 70KB - 2 pages |
| 5 May 2008 | Aftermarket Ball Joint Assemblies From: George H. Person, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration To: Glen Parker, Federal Mogul Corporation NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 121KB - 3 pages |
| 21 July 2008 | Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information Federal Mogul Corporation NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 51KB - 1 page |
| October 2008 | Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information Federal Mogul Corporation NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 14KB - 1 page |
| January 2009 | Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information Federal Mogul Corporation NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 28KB - 1 page |
| 4 February 2009 | From: George H. Person, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration To: Glen Parker, Federal Mogul Corporation NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 43KB - 1 page |
| April 2009 | Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information Federal Mogul Corporation NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 25KB - 1 page |
| July 2009 | Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information Federal Mogul Corporation NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 36KB - 1 page |
| October 2009 | Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information Federal Mogul Corporation NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 43KB - 1 page |
| Date | Article | Author/Source |
|---|---|---|
| 10 February 1997 | NHTSA CONTINUES TO MONITOR CHRYSLER HATCH LATCH REPLACEMENT RATES IN OLDER VEHICLES | NHTSA/Tim Hurd |
| 8 April 2015 | Denial of Motor Vehicle Defect Petition, DP14-002 | Frank S. Borris II |