I am not married to anyone particular brand of truck. I currently have a 2003 F150 Super Crew 4x4 XLT that we purchased new back in 2002. It now has 80k miles on her. I also have a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Crew Cab 4x4 SLT with a diesel motor that we have been borrowing from my father-in-law for the past 3 or 4 years and I used to own a 1993 Chevy S-10 in the early 90's.


Having both a Ford and a Dodge truck in my driveway, I have noticed while washing the trucks that the sheet metal on the Ford seems to be a heavier gauge metal than the Dodge based on how the sheet metal flexes while washing. Maybe it is because the Dodge has less bends/ ridges in the roof panel than the Ford. I was recently at a Chevy dealer and looked at the brand new Chevy trucks and the front fender pushed in when I was trying to see the window sticker that was laying on the dash board. I am not a big guy to push in a fender.


Just my observation on the big 3 trucks.

 

I would guess they all use about the same thickness steel... just a few well placed bends on one to make it stiffer.