Drive a Dodge and be happy for ever!! :-)

The Ford diesel is a Navistar, and has some problems since its introduction.
The GM diesel is a joint venture with Isuzu, and is an aluminum headed
design, which can be problematic. The most important difference, regardless
of the design details is the main design feature. The Dodge has a Cummins
inline six, the others are a V8.

Ford:

Navistar V8 7th(?) year of manufacture: has had seal problems on the turbo,
and generally is not the leader of the pack in this race. Not a terrible
engine, and is a reputable manufacturer. Transmission is typical Ford
design, which is to say, more complex and more electronics than really needs
to be. Result is that it can be a bastard to fix if it fails.

Chevy:

Isuzu designed V8, 5year of manufacture: Aluminum heads, which are a problem
on gasoline engines, are applied to the high compression world of diesel,
with mixed results. One thing is sure, just as in the gasoline world, the
aluminum head on an iron block is a point of gasket failure, and the added
stress of high compression is no help. Transmission is the much talked about
Allison, but word is running around (with some reliability) that the
Alllison can fail at the 60k mark due to various reasons. I suspect this may
be for reasons other than design, but this Allison isn't as good as the
Allison reputation from what I'm hearing.

Dodge:

Cummins ISBe, with more than 20 years of manufacture starting with the B5.9,
then BTA 5.9, then ISB, and now ISBe: Engine design is from a pioneering
manufacturer that makes only diesel engines. Design has had 20+ years of
evolution. Inline six is design type that is proven to make the most torque
from the smallest displacement. Engine is heavy in all respects, and has a
longer life expectancy to first major overhaul than the others. Trans is the
proven 48RE, which has 20 years of manufacture on the OD unit, plus 20 more
for the main transmission.

Overall, if you plan on towing a lot, the Dodge is the one to get.

I have not owned the Ford or Chevrolet (diesel products), so I can't
say with any certainly that mechanically they are inferior.  I just
looked around on the NG's and got the overall opinion of people that
did own the respective models.  And ... I used a little of my own logic
(YIKES!).

This is the conclusion I came to based on what I read and researched:

Ford:

Positives:
I love the look of the truck.  I've had Fords (gassers) in the past and
never really had any trouble with the brand.

Negatives:
The Power Stroke is LOUD.  It sounds like tin cans being banged
together.  It's a V8 ... so it has more moving parts.  Pricey.

Chevrolet:

Positives:
Quiet operation.

Negatives:
No matter how good the engine is, GMC and Chevy make a butt-ugly truck
and it's expensive.  I don't care for Isuzu products.  They are a step
above a Yugo in my opinion.  And since this engine was party
designed/engineered by them ... it was an easy decision.  Every GM
product I have ever owned has been a piece of sh.t.

Dodge:

Positives:
Cummins has a great reputation for reliability and longevity.  Inline 6
cyl.  Fewer moving parts = fewer possible problems.  Quiet operation.
Great looking truck.  Always had decent success with Dodge products.

Negatives:
Some negative talk about the tranny (47RE).  I have the 48RE and have
not experienced any problems and have not read of anyone that has.  So,
perhaps I waited the right amount of time (for the new and improved
tranny).  

Hope this helps.

Craig C.
2004 Ram 2500, CRD, 4x4, QC