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First thing I would say is, if you MUST buy an American - built truck (Ford, Chevy or Dodge) make sure you get the extended warranty and that the dealer has an excellant, well-staffed service department... you'll need it. If you talk in depth with anyone that uses them as a work truck, they'll eventually admit that considering the cost, they are unhappy. They may start out bragging about their Ford/Dodge/Chevy but with a little egging, they start to spill the beans. The problem probably lies in the fact that the Big 3 are only competing with themselves. If Toyota or Nissan would build a true work truck that would go toe-to-toe with the F350 etc., the quality bar would be raised and the Big 3 would have to respond, just as they were forced to do in the car sector. I hear a lot of contractors complain how they switch from a Chevy to a Ford to a Dodge then back to a Chevy then... You'll never hear a Toyota owner say they'll switch. And those Toyota trucks are made in Tennesee by Americans.
P.S.- If you're in the market for a 350/450/550 consider the Isuzus. Do a detailed side by side comparision. Due to their design they are much more manuverable and can carry a greater load (because of their lower unlaiden weight). I've got two in the 17,5000 GVW range and have none of the problems listed here. Though, neither has an automatic transmission. And when my '86 F350 finally dies I'm going back to the Isuzu dealer for another.
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