The world is one big, constantly changing place. I think it is a mistake to limit yourself to one brand. The hard earned information from previous ownership of any brand may have little bearing on the current trucks available. What you need in a truck may have also changed.
Dodge - I had a 67 D100. With a slant six and a three speed on the column. It was good all around truck. The door hinges broke and it rusted out.
The old style Dakota was comparable in size but not as heavy duty a truck.
Ford - I had a 69 F100. It had the Inline 300 six with the three speed on the column. It was by far the best all around truck I have owned. Ford doesn't make anything that size or with such a great engine.
Because I had such good luck with the late 60's Dodge and Ford, I bought several more trucks of those two brands. None of them were as good. I now try buying trucks on what is currently available that suits my needs.
Sifting through information on the Internet is tough. Someone may give the MPG they get but fail to say what engine, rear end and transmission they have. They also may not say what they get towing or if so how much weight they tow getting it. The "squeeky wheel gets the grease" filter applies on information given on the Internet also.
