dpatt67,
Don't mean to try to start a war with You but, I wouldn't be surprised if quite a few of us bought Dodge's ( especially First and early Second Gen's. ) because of the Cummins Engine. I know I sure did!
I'm from Detroit, originally, (which, does NOT make me an expert in the auto industry) and I remember that Chrysler products were not too highly thought of. They were known for very good engineering but, poor execution(construction). My old neighbor worked for Chrysler and had to own one of their products, and he just hated the quality of construction. I remember listening to him scream at his car, in the morning. Basically, they were not very well thought of.
Back, when the government bailed -out Chrysler, one of the demands was that Chrysler get rid of their big-block, gas hog (440) motor. This put Dodge right out of the towing market, with their largest engine being the 360. If I'm not mistaken, I believe Dodge had only 3% of the truck market, then. Ford still had their 460 and GM had their 454.
For quite awhile, I had heard of the great reputation of the industrial quality Cummins Engine. Then, in '89, when Dodge first put these engines in their pick-ups, I started seriously looking at Dodges. I waited almost 3 years before I bought my first Dodge/Cummins, a '91. 5 W-250, in Aug. '91.
I talked with everyone I could find, who had one, and everyone loved them. That's when I bought mine.
I had always hoped that I could find a truck to tow my trailer that had good power, good fuel economy and good longevity. This was the first time I found that combination.
Had the Cummins engine come in any of the other trucks, I would have bought it. To me, it was the engine that provided the power, economy and longevity of the most expensive part of the truck. Personaly, I would have preferred to have this engine in a Ford. I had always heard Ford made the best, most durable truck.
I think a lot of people thought I was nuts buying this " stinking, noisy, diesel tractor engine". Now, most of them have diesel's, also.
I like my old '91. 5, with over 170,000 on it, so well that I bought an '03, 3500, 4X4, which I really like. Still have the '91. 5 and drive it almost every day. That truck has a lot of personality. It's kind of like having a four-wheel drive Harley-Davison. Loud, rough riding, but a lot of fun to drive.
So, this is my story! Turns out that the Dodge is a far better truck than I thought it would be. But, I still, originally, bought it because of the engine.
Again, I'm not trying to start a war, with You, but, I don't think my story's really all that unique. Have a great day and enjoy Your truck. Joe F. (Buffalo)