Bernie's Builds: 2018 Dodge Charger AWD Ute
Bernie Charles' Charger Ute started as a 2018 Dodge Charger Pursuit with AWD and the original 5.7L HEMI. Bernie converted it with Smyth Performance's 2015+ Charger ute kit, then added his own bodywork, Charger taillight treatment and integrated widebody styling.
Supercharger Conversion
The Ute retains its original naturally aspirated 5.7L HEMI and uses a Hellcat supercharger conversion. The confirmed Crash N Bern catalog pieces currently tied to this build are:
- VVT Adapter Kit
- HZ-7200 Pulley Hub & Removal Tool
- HZ-7205 Hellcat Snout Hold Down Tool
- HZ-7275-PBK 2.75-inch 6-Rib Billet Aluminum Pulley
- 5.7 / 6.1 / 6.4 HEMI Crank Pin Kit
The 2.75-inch setup uses the 994K6 belt reference in the current Crash N Bern catalog.
Engine Bay
Fuel
Supercharger Cooling
The Ute uses the compact heat exchanger with fan for Charger / Challenger applications.
Shop all confirmed Charger Ute build parts →
Build Overview
- Vehicle: 2018 Dodge Charger Pursuit
- Drivetrain: AWD
- Engine: Original 5.7L Gen III HEMI
- Supercharger: Hellcat blower assembly
- Drive system: 6-rib
- Supercharger pulley: 2.75-inch, HZ-7275-PBK
- Belt reference: 994K6
- Fuel: E85
- Output: 600 dyno-verified rear-wheel horsepower
- Boost: 15 psi
- Ute conversion: Smyth Performance 2015+ Charger kit, kit #7
- Build duration: Approximately eight months
The Starting Point
The donor Charger was bought at a police auction for $6,600 after being misdiagnosed with a blown head gasket. The actual failure was the oil cooler. Bernie then completed the ute conversion, bodywork, paint, wiring and supercharger installation over roughly eight months.
Ute Conversion Process
Watch the start of the Smyth Ute conversion on Bernie’s 2018 Dodge Charger, including the early teardown and conversion work.
Watch HELL UTE Part 1 on YouTube →
What Makes the Ute Different
Bernie did not build the Smyth kit straight out of the box. He grafted Charger trunk sheetmetal into the Ranger-based tailgate structure, retained the Charger's signature taillight design and blended the widebody flares into the body so the conversion reads more like a factory Dodge design than a bolt-on kit.
HOT ROD Photo Feature
Photography from the HOT ROD feature supplied for use on this build page.
Monitoring the Boosted 5.7
Because the naturally aspirated control system does not provide factory Hellcat-style supercharger monitoring, Bernie added an A-pillar gauge setup for wideband air/fuel ratio, fuel pressure and supercharger coolant temperature.
Feature
Correction: HOT ROD’s published feature identifies the donor as a 2015 Charger. The correct donor year is 2018.
Read HOT ROD's full feature on Bernie's Charger Ute →
SEMA 2024
The Charger Ute made it to the 2024 SEMA Show. Bernie documented the trip, the show and the breakdown that followed the week in his own Crash N Bern video.