I for sure want a dodge
John
I really think you should reconsider the dodge. The dodge is not all the truck it is hyped up to be. Aside from the motor, those trucks are virtually the cheapest peicest of crap there is on the road.
The transmissions constantly fail. Electrical issues are non stop. The front ends are weak and prone to death wobble. The oil coolers fail regularly. The steering system is undersized and constantly burns up the fluid.
My buddies 06 that he bought brand new and has babied 70k on it is virtually falling apart on everything but the motor. Luckily he has a standard, so at least that still works.
My 06 mega cap was the worst lemon I've ever owned. The automatic transmission would not hold together (with a stock engine). The heater and related electrical started failing at 80k. The oil coooler went twice. The power steering fluid was burnt every 20k. I had a push rod fall into the oil pan after the second time the injectors were done in less then 40k.
By the time I traded it at the dealer it had started to throw PCM codes.
Brand new the clear choice right now is the chev. Dodge is still a peice crap built around a motor. Ford is relatively unproven.
Ford are good in the 6.0 years as long as the EGR delete and head studs are done. They are proven to outlast the 7.3's in various fleets when those mods are completed.
The chevs are fairly reliable throughout most years, just be mindfull of the cost of servicing and repairing the alison transmission.
The dodges are best in a manul trans configuration, and pre 24 valve.
Personally, if I ever plan on another long term truck it will be a manual transmission regardless of what brand it is.
Anyways, some food for thought.