I believe the 2nd gens have proven their worth. Look at prices on them, although have been somewhat soft lately due to fuel prices and other.
Mine has handled a military tank and a hugh farm tractor on a gooseneck.
A IP, lift pump, trans o'haul, wheel bearing, door latch cable, Puke bottle fix, starter contacts, alternator, water pump, U joint, belt tensioner, and probablly some other trival items, including proper servicing.
All this and just got over 22 MPG on 600 mile trip. I don't think any toy"a will come close to accomplishments.
If can find a 2002 dually with low miles, will swap, otherwise will keep wearing the tires off and keep rest of it maintained. JMHO

 

Steering and braking are the biggest problems I've had on my 98. I've replaced everything in both systems in the four years I've had the truck.

I've also had a throttle cable break on me. That was fun. I found that the truck will idle along in 5th gear, at about 25mph. Luckily it was only about 20 miles I had to drive like that.

The hydraulic disconnect for the clutch has broken on me before. It runs about $200 for a new clutch kit from the dealer. It took me less than an hour to replace it, in the dealer parking lot. This is of course right after being quoted $600 to have the dealer repair it.

I've also had a starter fry itself, but that was after (and directly related to) losing the clutch. I had to start the truck in gear, and shift with no clutch to get home.

 

Honestly, I bought the Dodge for the Cummins powering it. The truck is fairly low miles, I've put 40k on it, would consider the repairs/maintenace to be average. (Installed gauges, serviced transmission, replaced lift pump, clutch slave cylinder, vacuum pump oil leak repaired, serviced the front brakes, and have the ABS/Brake lights on now... speed sensor being shipped now)

If I didn't do the work on the truck myself, didn't have access to tools, there is a chance I'd not be as happy with the truck.

The people I bought it from bought it new, and when the warranty ran out, were anxious to get rid of it.

The vp-44 had just been replaced (at 59,000 miles) plus many other items fixed by the dealer. I was glad to buy it, it does everything I ask of it!

 

Very well said!
My 02 (bgt in 03) has 155,000 miles, gets driven everyday for work and raced once or twice a month... in the summer!
It's one of the the best vehicles I've ever owned. I'm big on preventative mx because I hate surprises and time is money. Example-I carried a spare lift pump from day one (never needed it), added steering stabilizer & 3rd gen trackbar at 40,000 miles, I replace the batteries every 3 yrs and I changed the carrier bearing and U-joints at 100,000 miles.... all based on reports in this site.

My 02 has never left me stranded and has performed any task I have thrown at it over the last 5 yrs .... including annual trips to east and west coast,
medium weight towing and hauling up to 10,000 lbs GVW. And yes, I'm willing to put some money into it to keep it as dependable as possible.
Had two warrantee items in the first 50,000 miles but that's not a big deal, IMO. Twice I've had to do side of the road fixes... one blown fuse, from an add on I wired and once I had to pull the ABS relay till I got home, because the system was malfunctioning. Had one VP-44 pump replacement.... got weak but never died while driving...like some have experienced.

My list of fixes, over five yrs, has been small and reasonable, IMO. Best of all, I still love driving this truck....... something I can't remember every saying about any other vehicle I've owned, after that length of time!