I need a new truck

[BULLMASTIFF]

I've narrowed my choices between the Ford 3/4 ton and the Dodge 3/4 ton.  I want a solid front axle 4x4, so that rules out the GM trucks.  I've always been a Ford man but I've also been the black sheep of the family.  And since my whole family has f-350's or f-450's, I'm going with a Dodge. :grin:  

I want a quad cab, 8 ft bed, 3/4 ton 4x4.  My question is, do I get the Cummins, or the Hemi.  

My initial reaction is the Cummins, but, I drive about 5-6 miles to work everyday.  Depending on how I catch the two lights, it can take me all of 10-12 minutes to get to work.  I have been told, that diesels do not like being driven short trips.  That this is detrimental to the engin's health.  Has anyone else heard of this, or does it even apply now to the newer engines.  And then there is the extra $5500 for the upgrade to the Cummins.  The upside to the Cummins, well, you can spend all day listing the upsides, torque, HP, fuel economy, torgue up the wazoo, basic simple design that just goes and goes and goes, and oh yeah, massive torque.

The hemi doesn't have the Cummins power, or quite the fuel economy from what I understand.  What kind of fuel economy could I expect?  On paper, it looks to be a decent gas engine for a large truck.  It definitely would get better fuel economy than the 400 I have in my 78 Bronco and comparable power (and contrary to my wife's wishes, the Bronco stays  :grin:  the bronco has been with me longer than she has Don't tell her that, though, or I'll be sleeping with the dog) .

With either one, I'll probably go with the stick.  Now, what are the opinions and/or advice out there.  Gas or Diesel.  Will the continuous short trips kill the diesel?  Will going on long camping/fishing/hunting trips with the gas kill my wallet(ok, wound, right know it's being raped, tortured and killed).

And on a side note, I love this sight.

[DirtyHarry]

I personally have a 2500 with the Cummins, but unless you are going to be using the truck to tow or haul alot I would go with the Hemi. The reason the short trips are said to be not good on the Cummins is that the engine is so efficient that it takes a while, under load for the engine to come up to operating temp. In fact you will notice that after the engine has been brought up to operating temp, sitting at idle will cause the temp to drop..
As far as the mileage goes, yeah long trips in the gasser will most likely drain the wallet. Right now on the summer blend fuel I am getting a hair over 22mpg
Definately get the manual, the auto tranny is the weak link in the Dodge. The "added expense" of owning a diesel really boils down to the fact that diesel's hold about twice as much oil as the gassers do and you need to change the fuel filter about twice as often as a gasser due to the fact that diesel is a "dirty" fuel.