I agree with you that the dodge trucks have lousy automatic transmissions, but I know several people with older dodges that still work them regularly like I work mine and they are all on original axles with nothing more then regular fluid changes. The diesels run dana 60 fronts and a 70s rear on the autos and 80s on the sticks. Which are definetly on par with the GM 14 bolts if not a little stronger in my opinion and I’m a chevy guy through and through, but in my opinion dodge makes a nice diesel truck. My big complaint to GM is the lack of an available standard transmission behind the DMAX. You are right thought dodge front end longevity sucks.