I have a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500, Club Cab, 4x2 with a 360. Love the power and the engine has never given me any problems after 185,000 miles. As long as it wasn't deliberately abused, i would buy one again.

 

5.9 motor is the bestest motor, than 5.2 and def alot beter than the 5.4 triton and the chevy 5.3

 

the very worst mileage i've gotten with my truck was 10mpg, and that was when my catalytic converter was plugged up, now that it's free-flowing again, average is 13'ish. all my in-town driving is really short distances so that kills it severely, but highway i've gotten 17mpg at 70mph.

the 5.2L is nothing to sneeze at either, the later years i think they're only rated about 5hp less than the 5.9L. i have the 5.2 in my durango & it gets out of it's own way without an issue, usually while getting 15+ mpg.

as for the ford and chevy's...the 4.6 and 5.4 fords nobody could pay me to drive. the 5.3 and 6.0 chevy engines are pretty damn powerful, efficient & are more on the playing field of the new HEMI's.

if you want a truck that works and sounds like a truck, stick with dodge. plus if something breaks & you're somewhat mechanically inclined, you can probably fix it yourself on these engines. try to say that about the DOHC ford or the LSx series chevy.