hi, I'm tom, I've searched around a few forums but this one seems best three brand oriented

I'm looking for my 1st 4 door 4*4 diesel truck, at this point it will not be towing a ton of weight, but I do not want to be shorted in the future, so I have concentrated on 1Ton's, and at the cost between SRW and DRW, DRW has my interest, please note, if I find a real real good deal on a 3/4 ton, I would buy it and worry about upgrading next year if needed.

Now to why I am in those year ranges, because of financing I am pretty sure I will not be able to buy pre '03 anything, I have only found a couple decent pre '04 anyhow, and they are priced high enough I can not pay cash and would be forced to finance, and, price is pretty much keeping me at the max of a '06 (unless of course I find a real deal on one and/or payment is right) so with all that bluber explained I am looking at 2003-'06ish trucks.


GM seems to be last in choice, I am not brand bashing, just so happens what I am seeing as far as needs (I want 6 passenger and have even looked into cost converting what ever brand that has front buckets) , I am retired auto tech, worked on many trucks, but never diesels.

so to the points, will it be Ford, Dodge, GM ?
I have questions, hope you do not mind,

I hear people talk of 18-20 mpg out of 1 ton 4*4's, is this really true? or are these people driving at 50mph with no load, I test drove ford and dodge so far and according to the mpg avg, one dodge was at 17 (a '05 4 door dually 4*4) the rest 10-13 mpg, (after my reset of mpg avg), I know it is very hard to tell by that stupid avg gauge, (I have not drove a GM far enough to try that little test)

I really like how the fords stop so far, but the 6.0, is it really as bad as some people say?, being a tech for years knowing the many issues from different brands, I realize how some stories are blown way out of proportion, so is the '03-'06 powerstroke really as bad as it seems? all in all the rest of the ford seems to be well, built for tough <g> the mpg? where is it at on a dually?

how about the GM? I hear horror stories of turbo's, injectors, heads, trans issues on the 03-06 (heck my 05 silverado 1/2 ton has had a trans and transfer case replaced by 94k miles)

the dodge I know has issues as well, like front end parts being week (I think GM ball joints bite too), those type issues can be dealt with though easily enough and far enough apart, what about the dodge engine, I have heard talk about head gaskets and removing the cab to repair, heck there has to be a better way right? Is it costly?, I can not attempt a repair like that at my shop alone these days

so I guess what I am asking is the bad about Ford, Dodge, GM engine trans or other costly issues I may face while traveling, without brand bashing, just cold hard fact please

I like how they drive, ford seems more comfy, and dodge seems, well fun, turning radius was awesome!,, GM was fine but I really did not like how easy the steering was, but regardless of those facts..........

I am looking for REAL world MPG facts by actual users (not some study <g>) and just really how bad are some of these issue with the engines and trans, and expensive repairs I have no clue of (diesel pumps injectors I guess)

Again, being a tech, for as long as I was, I know anything can and will break, being away from it so long, I wonder just how bad these stories really are, heck a couple sales men wanted me to think every ford built was junk, (I left those dealers after telling them what problems their own brand has <g>) , that is my biggest turnoff!

anyhow Thanks!!

tom