Like you, I was a Toyota fanboy for many years. '94 Pickup, '88 4runner, '07 FJ Cruiser, '90 GT-Four Celica, and an assortment of more mundane crossovers and regular cars. I've spent many miles riding shotgun, as well as many hours wrenching on, my brother's Toyotas as well ('97 4runner, '86 4runner x 3, Lexus 80 series, etc...).
I've come to the conclusion that Toyota peaked in the early-to-mid '90s, at least as far as my needs and preferences are concerned.
The transition from the global Hilux based "Toyota Pickup" to the North America only Tacoma platform never sit well with me; we could endlessly debate which is actually better, but the more important point is that the launch of the Tacoma represented a paradigm shift for North American Toyota 4x4s. Their priority had shifted away from the rugged, utilitarian nature of the Pickup, to the more refined, comfortable Tacoma; granted, this hasn't necessarily resulted in a lessening of off-road capability, as advancing technology and things like ATRAC and e-lockers have become common or standard, but more-so a change in Toyota's corporate mindset.
As noted in the linked article, Toyota hasn't really updated the technology on their NA 4x4 models since the late 90s. Performance has evolved, so the engines make more power for similar fuel economy, and they do have lots more gadgets and electronic stuff, and the interiors are admittedly more comfortable, but the 4runner, Tacoma, Tundra, and Land Cruiser are all essentially updated and/or tarted up versions of the same vehicles from 20+ years ago.
Tacoma rear drum brakes, I'm looking at you.
Observe the same with their automotive platforms; all of the enthusiast models have either been discontinued (MR2, Celica), outsourced (Supra), or joint-ventured (BRZ/FRS/86).
Toyota has a reputation as a very conservative, risk-averse company, which may explain some of their model choices, but I think it goes deeper than that. I believe they've seen the writing on the wall since they started development of the Prius: internal combustion based vehicles' days are numbered, and in may countries globally the governments are becoming more openly hostile to private ownership of vehicles, particularly those that don't fit into the progressive urban planning model (kei cars, et al).
In other words, Toyota - at least their upper management - has essentially checked out of the enthusiast market and appears to be limping their existing platforms along with as little investment as possible; presumably to bridge the gap until hybrid and full-EV becomes the standard.
Geo-political automotive market conspiracy theory tangent aside, I have had a similar experience in moving from the Tacoma-sized Pickup/4runner to a full-size domestic. The full-size goes everywhere I need to (and most places I want to), while getting similar or better MPG (low-mid 20s highway) lifted on 35+ tires, and in greater comfort. My kids prefer the full-size, too; more room for them, and it's quieter than my FJ Cruiser, even with the Diesel. Even my mid-2000s Dodge (not a marque or era known for high quality) has been mostly reliable and problem free, and when I do have to work on it, it's easier and cheaper in most cases.
Having owned a modern Ford (last gen Escape 2.0 Ecoboost AWD), I gotta say it was light-years ahead of what I expected for quality and reliability, and provided me 100k+ trouble free miles before it gave it's life protecting me in a crash. I'd buy another, or more likely a new Maverick, as a commuter without a second thought if I was in the market right now. I have no doubt you'll have a great experience with your F150, and realistically I'd expect that to be the case with RAM, and likely GM products as well.
TL;DR: modern domestics are MUCH better than they used to be; full-size trucks are better at most things (unless you have to park in California, or are wheeling tight trails); the Japanese have largely failed to maintain their perceived reliability/quality advantage; in my opinion Toyota et al have dropped their pack with regard to their enthusiast products, to include 4x4s, at least in the NA market. I concur with OPs points, well written article, and timely given the surge in popularity of full-size domestic trucks.
