Back in 1957, Ford put a bed on a full-size car and created the Ranchero and the coupe utility segment. Chevrolet did the same in 1959 and spawned the ic.
Dodge's import truck story began in 1979, when the Mitsubishi Forte (or L200) arrived on North American shores, rebadged as the Dodge D-50 and Plymouth Arrow. The Ram 50 was refreshed in 1982, but was certainly due for replacement in 1987 when the second generation arrived.