OP, you still have a ton of homework to do. The Dodge is much improved lately. But saddly, for every improvement they've made, has pretty much put a Ford jinx on their engine and trans. We're having many problems with the Dodge engines. And you can forget about tuning them. A friend of mine sold his because he couldn't tune it to his liking. A silly reason, but he disliked a few easy to fix details, the dealer couldn't help. Mushy throttle, rough tip in. Poor RPM/throttle curve map in the ECM left me on a minor hill at a dead stop that the truck refused to accelerate up. I had to use 4 low to get rolling before the map would apply enough throttle to go. Should be easy stuff for a tech to fix, no? Too bad the Dodge techs make more at Jiffy lube and left.
While our Ford's seem to be doing well, with odd nit picky things here and there. Minor leaks, f'd up software reflashes. Nothing you can really blame on the truck. More like the factory dummys, that can't even put the UAW "quality is job #1" sticker on straight. I mean, who's doing the QC, and can't get the "quality" sticker on straight?
Underneath the Ford seems to be beefier overall. So check the exact type of 4x4 actuation, transfer case differences, and axle differences. Usually the Dodge is the same as the Ford, with a few cheaper parts used instead. Same axles often enough, but with cheaper hubs or some other nonsense. Smaller shafts on the case, weird axle splitters instead of manual hubs etc. etc.etc.
I also prefer the Ford factory's primer and rustproofing. Much better than Dodge. And check to see if Dodge still uses that darn spray in foam in the doors. That rots them quickly. I haven't been in the Dodge plant in a while. Last Chrysler plant I was in was the Jeep plant. And it was much improved.
The Dodge is easier to work on. But seems to need work more often. Ford has better techs. But if they don't quit taking advantage of their techs with cheap flat rate warranty repairs, they're going to lose all their techs to import dealers just like Dodge has.
Based on my fleet experience, I'd buy the Ford and do my homework to catch whatever engine faults pop up. Leave it alone and not tune it.
Most of my work is similar to logging and oil patch work as a field tech. The Fords are the toughest and most capable. The Chevys are the worst performing, but most reliable, and I hate every minute in mine. The GM might be the most likely to get me home, but it'll try killing me on the way home, if I'm not already stuck. Also every non critical component will fail at the most inopportune moment. AC, radio, fan, door chime, etc., nothing important . The Dodges seem to be, just cheaper Ford copies, often just as capable if the ECM and drivetrain allows.
