I can see both sides to this debate, I have been on each side many times during the last several years and feel your pain.
I have been lucky and have never had a break down, but at the same time I have replaced many items I thought was suspect or knew they might fail. Truthfully, my list of failed parts are:1. Thermostat 2. Throttle cable (TBS) 3. Vanity mirror light 4. 2 HVAC vacuum motors.
My list of repairs is pretty short, and I would not complain at all if that were the only problems I have had, but unfortunately it is not that simple. My truck gets used very, very little under 10,000 miles a year. It was bought to tow and that only happens a few times a year. The transmission started to fail pretty quickly, after less then 8,000 miles of towing. At first it was a subtle shutter and progressed rapidly to a major slip with anything more then light throttle while towing. It did not show up while driving empty, even toward the end, which makes be think many out there probably have trany issues they are unaware of. I replaced the transmission with a ATS stage IV system, it works great and the improvement over stock is very noticeable. Towing with it is enjoyable and I have no complaints, except for the $4,000+ repair bill. This is something I should not have had to replace, Dodge is negligible in their effort to produce a heavy duty truck that can not live up to it's claims. You can not have a HD vehicle, if it will not tow it rated amount and live. If burns me that they are still selling the same transmission in the '05 model year trucks, this is one area where Dodge is very much behind their competitors, they do not have a heavy duty transmission to install in there HD trucks.
Paint: My truck gets great care, constant washings and regular waxing. But still the paints finish started to discolor and peel. Dodge called it "DELAMINATION", I just called it bad paint. Bottom line is I had to have the truck re-painted, with or with-out there taking responsibility for the cost. I am lucky in that i have a great relationship with the local Chrysler body shop manager, he helped me with my fight against Dodge, and he helped me with the cost of re-painting my truck. Bottom line is Dodge accepted to pay $1,200. 00 for the cost of my trucks new paint job, while I spent $5,000. 00+ for the rest. Granted, I spent more then I had too. I replaced the hood, bought all new nameplates and decals, and new tail and marker lights, plus a few other small items. But Bottom line is I would not have spent the money if the paint did not fail.
Brakes: I replaced all of the front with new components, rotors,caliper,pads,lines, everything. I went to EGR for their excellent products and use them for the rear as well. No my brakes did not fail, nor did they give me any problems, I just wanted better brakes and better parts.
Stereo: I have the Infinity stereo in my truck. In my opinion, it has never sounded as good as it should have. The door speaker on the right side had been replaced once and had been in the shop several times for cutting out and distortion. They never got it straightened out, and it never sounded like it should have. I replaced the whole system with a Pioneer 1. 5 Din receiver and Polk Audio component speakers both front and rear, along with new amp and wiring. Now my truck sounds like it should have, after the $1,500+ installation with me doing the work, I finally got a great stereo. The 7-800 dollars I spent for the up-graded stock stereo was a huge wast of money, I did not get my moneys worth, never again.
Lights: Since the truck was new I had trouble seeing at night, their just was not enough light coming from the headlights. I try-ed different Lamps, HO's, Silver Stars, Blue Stars and even Piaa H-4's but nothing helped. Finally I installed a new wiring harness from Summit Racing. It plugs right into the stock harness, which makes it a snap to install. The power now comes straight from the battery for the headlights, they use relays that pickup the signal from the stock light switch. This eliminates any of the load from the headlights form the headlight switch. Also the harness is made of much heavier wire then the stock harness, eliminating the sever voltage drop of the stock system. Now the truck has great headlights, I still use the Piaa Lamps, but now it is a world of difference much brighter and easier to see. This was an easy fix that the Dodge guy's should have done, instead they left it alone.
Left Pump: I do not have a lift pump problem, but I sure feel for all that do. This is something that Dodge should have addressed along ago, but instead left it up to the Dodge truck owners to deal with. In my opinion, it is a serious design flaw and Dodge should have fixed the problem. I find it UN-acceptable that this problem is still among us in the new "05 model year.
Bottom line: Is the Dodge product any better then a Ford or Chevy? No,No way. Most like to think they made the right choice, so they feel they have to bash the other two competitors to the Dodge Ram truck. Truth is they all have problems, but I think the other two tend to fix their problems faster then Dodge. Who has the best HD truck? I am not sure, but I believe the Ford to be the better pick for a HD truck. They had a few problems with the 6. 0L, but most of those problems steamed from the split with International. Ford was left alone in trying to overcome their programing problems. Since they have regrouped and partnered with International to continue designing the V-6 Diesel project, Ford's 6. 0L engines have been relatively trouble free. I have driven three different 05's and all seemed to be great runners with no leaks or problems. They also have the best auto tany, head and shoulders above what Dodge offers.
Dodge has relied on the patriotism of the Cummins diesel fan for way to long. They know the Cummins is a huge draw, and people are willing to overlook a few problems to own one. In a way, we have become our own enemy, we continue to buy Dodge products knowing their flaws in order to gain access to the Cummins 5. 9L turbo diesel engine. Is it worth it? I guess that depends on who you talk to. For me I must say YES, it was worth it. I enjoy my truck, and love the sound of the old 12V engine. There isn't a time I do not smile while driving it around, even with my close to $40,000. 00 in aftermarket parts and repairs. Would I do it again, and buy a new Dodge truck? NO, I would not. I do not feel the current offerings from Dodge justify the cost. If I had to buy another truck it would be a Ford right now, I feel they offer more value for the dollar. Dodge has relaxed it stance on bold new designs and products, they haven't really done anything since '94 when they released the new Ram truck. The Power Wagon ideal is neat, I like the package, but who needs that and why only the Hemi, just what I need when gas is 2. 25 a gallon, a HD truck with a 6-7 MPG apatite. No thanks!
I am hopeful that Dodge wakes up and starts to offer it loyal customers more truck then they currently are receiving. The Cummins is a great engine, but How long will the buying public continue to support Dodge and their mediocre product just to get the Cummins? I will keep my Dodge till it rust apart and is not road worthy, Then I will look for a replacement, hopefully Dodge will have something by then to consider?
Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
