[Guitar Guy]

Hey all. I've been driving S-10 style trucks for a few yrs now, and am getting ready to sell my little GMC Sonoma and get a full size 1/2 ton, 4x4, extended cab. For various reasons, I'm not into Fords, but cannot make up my mind between the Dodge and the Chevy / GMC.

Maybe some of you guys who know both will feel like giving me a few positives and negatives. I'll add here a little about what I'll be using it for.

I'll mostly be using it as a second vehicle for camping, going on vacations, etc. If I do any pulling, it would be a small motorcycle trailer. Occasional 4wd, not hard mudding. I'd consider a 3/4 ton, but mainly prefer 1/2 ton. I'd like to get a small to medium V8, definitely not the large V8. I'll be looking at something between years 2000 - 2006, in the $10 - 12k range.

The things that I'm wondering about, and that are important to me ... do either of the brands mentioned have less of a tendency to get body rust when exposed to winter weather and salt? Does either of them have a particular engine which is known to have better reliability and/or fuel economy? I've mostly had GM products in my lifetime, but I did have a '78 Dodge half ton with a 318, and it was a great truck. I like the newer Dodge, but it seems I see more of them rusted on the road.

I'm just starting to do the research, so I thought I'd throw it out here ... any info / suggestions regarding Dodge vs. Chevy would be greatly appreciated.

JT