Thanks for the replys...kinda what I figured...it gets down to the motor. And I like that Cummins diesel. Still hesitant because I can tell you after owning one, I like the crew cab. There is a difference. Wish I could drive one with my horses on back to see how it compares.
DJA

 

my $0.02 here.

Dodge gets beat up a lot about that small cab. sure having a bigger one is nice, and if your requirement is to haul adults back there for long trips, go for the big cab.

however, consider this, that back seat is as big or bigger than the back seat of most cars on the market.

a benefit of the slightly shorter truck not yet discussed here, the dodge fits in most garages, where the other brands do not. In my case the dodge fits by only a very few inches. I measured the garage and looked at specs on the other brands before getting my cummins dodge.

it all comes down to what your requirements are in a truck. In my case the dodge fit them with flying colors!

Thanks for hearing me out.

 

As far as towing is concerned, I just posted a thread in 3rd gen no drivetrain on my first towing experience with the truck today. Best summarized as: WOW! Best truck I've ever towed with by far! Go for it, you won't regret your decision.

 

I have had mine since May. I love the size, the room , the looks and the power. However, I only owned Toyotas before and Dodge doesn't even come close in build quality as far as the rest of the truck is concerned. I have severe squeaks and rattles developing at 7k miles. As far as the big 3 go, I'd say the Dodge is as good as the other 2.
I used to work at FedEx and all 15 trucks at the station had the Cummins ISB engine. Most hardly had any problems at all for well over 200k hard miles, but a couple of the newer (99's I think) 24v engines just SUCKED. All in all it was pretty amazing to see that the engines would even run after the hell we put them thru. The only problems were either lift pumps, injector pumps, or broken fuel lines. The FedEx trucks did have Allison transmissions, which were just tough as nails, a perfect match for the Cummins IMO.

Laugh if you must, but when the 3/4 ton Toyota diesel comes out in 07, I'm betting the Dodge will be for sale if I keep it that long.

 

Having never owned an extended cab, I cannot imagine the newer quad cab not being enough for all but the largest families. However, that's when a van is on order...

I own a truck--regular cab, 8'bed, with a toolbox.

The Cummins 5.9 is worth it, I really appreciate the comment made regarding the "true diesel" inline configuration. For me, it's a hands-down no-contest. I also find the Ford has a shoddy interior compared to the two competors in the 3/4 ton and up range), and it takes "40 acres" to turn one around. Ford seems to have lost thier truck focus a bit with the demise of the old 4.9 L I-6 gas engine. Too bad, while not powerful, it would run forever, like a diesel...

 

Coolslice,

I too got out of a Toyota and into the Dodge, I just sold the Toyota. As far as quality between the two vehicles, I would say they are nearly dead even in that department. I would rate the Toyota a 10 and the Dodge a 9.5. A 9.5 for the TSB on the tranny, versus, the never had a problem with Toyota.

My Dodge is rattle and squeak free after 24,000 miles. I am honestly impressed with the quality, and can't imagine going back to a Toyota. They better have one heck of a motor comming out to compete with the power and simplicity of the Cummins. Besides, the Toyota design team is slipping in my book, look what they did with the 4Runner.

Mike

 

Local,

Can't agree with you more. I had two tacomas (first gen, 1995.5 and a 1999). I wasn't ever truly impressed with the trucks. They were good, but not impressive, to me. However, it seems like the designers at Toyota are working to hit some of their best looking vehicles with the "Ugly Stick".

I had been thinking of getting another SUV prior to the truck and one look at the 4Runner and I knew I coulnd' buy it. Yuck!

As for build quality, I had one squeak on my dodge, which I fixed by adding a little wd40 on the door hinge. Hell, my 2004 accord ex makes more noise than my dodge. That surprised the hell out of me.

 

The only minimally larger cab on the Ford comes in handy for carrying larger passengers to aid in pushing the truck off to the side of the road when it breaks down. I'll sacrifice a few extra inches of cab room for six-in-a-row, plus have the ability to make 2nd gear starts whenever I choose without falling flat on my face and choking.
Greg

 

I have to disagree a bit with you guys. Don't get me wrong, I love my Dodge so far, but it is still early in the game. I am willing to bet that most if not all companies that test for quality like Consumer Reports and JD Powers will tell you that while improving, Dodge has traditionally been known for poor quality in their vehicles (not the Cummins engine). Toyota and Dodge are on opposite ends of the spectrum.
I have no doubt that the new Toyota diesel engine set for the 3/4 ton truck will be of the highest quality, diesels are not a new concept to Toyota. I doubt it will be as powerful as the Cummins, but there will be a market for it. The truck itself will probably be small and ugly as hell though. The way I look at it is that without competition the makers have no incentive to make a better product. The Cummins is king right now, but they will have to keep making it better in order to stay #1.

 

Only thing about the Dodge is that I notice some body flex when hitting bumps while taking hard turns. Considering the size of the thing and that it's a body-on-frame, I really don't think I can complain.

I find the Dodge to be of higher quality than new Toyotas. My friend has a new Camry. I've noticed plenty of squeaks and rattles in it, the Dodge is flawless.

 

I would tend to agree. And of course, I am talking about initial quality, not long term. I am finding less to complain about on my Dodge than I have for other vehicles in a long time. Keep in mind, I am a nit-picking perfectionist when it comes to brand new cars. I am the worst kind of critic.

So, while my dodge may not hold up over the long term (I don't know, yet), it certainly has been the best new car I have had. It beats my 00 Expedition, 04 Accord, 99 Tacoma, 99 626, 95.5 Tacoma. The only thing it hasn't beat is my 00 Yamaha YZF-R1 and my 96 Porsche 911 (to be expected).

So, for me, initial quality is very, very solid. How well it keeps it, that's to be determined.

 

The only minimally larger cab on the Ford comes in handy for carrying larger passengers to aid in pushing the truck off to the side of the road when it breaks down.

 

Oh so true!

I'm very much a nit picker as well. This is the first new vehicle I have personally owned, but I've chosen my mom's new vehicles in the past. This has her '98 Volvo beat hands down, and if it wasn't for the vibration at idle (which I personally like) it would have her '03 Infiniti beat in every way, especially strength. Someone tapped her in a parking lot and it cost $8000 to fix... yikes. Ranch Hand front bumper replacement, anyone?

 

having just looked at all of the trucks there are up's and downs to each vehicle. Obvioulsy the dodge won me over. I have no brand affiliation. I own chevy's, a ford, and a dodge so to me it is just about which one I like at the time.

the back seat was not a concern for me. it was almost a plus not many adults are going to be taking long trips back there and unless you are over 6" it is not bad. shorter wheelbase = better turnign radius.

I did not go with the ford because I heard too many complaints about the new 6.0l I am sure there are plenty of happy owners but there were quite a few unhappy as well.

The chevy was very nice but the ride hieght was too low and the price was a bit high. Once you add lift wheels and tires to a loaded truck you starting to touch the 50k barrier.

the dodge has great looks, tons of power, good ride hieght I did not like the interior as much when I was test driving all the trucks but it has grown on me. some poeple don't like this but it is pretty quite. I only like loud gas v8's. anything else I don't want to hear at all times.

 

I know this thread died, but i came across it and wanted to add an alternative standpoint...
I drive an 02 7.3 ford. Have a 99 7.3 and had a 95 7.3 as well. Zero problems. My 02 has a big chip, exhaust, intake, etc. and i have had zero problems other than a radiator hose clamp and a cam sensor (both easy fixes).
My best friend got a 2004 Cummins 600. Didn't have it two weeks before it was in the shop for over a month. All six injectors replaced (three were leaky). This surprised me, as i expected the dodge part of the truck to go wrong before the cummins engine.
I'm not saying that one engine is better, but what I'm saying has been said (there are gems and lemons) this is just an example. I don't expect it to undo the inherent bias, but thought i'd throw it out.
For the record, I have driven both a stock 2005 SuperDuty 6.0 (crewcab LWB) and a stock 2004 600 (quadcab SWB). I was more impressed with the manners of the Ford and about as impressed with the 6.0 as i was with the CTD 600. I (let me stress that this is only my experience) certainly did not encounter 600 ft/lbs at 1600RPMs. When the torque came on though, it was incredible. And yes, the 6.0 drives like a gas motor.
Good luck deciding.
-Chase