2003 Dodge Ram 4.7 liter

Bob, you are indeed one of the super luck ones and there are a few buuuuttttt, there are way more sad stories of 10 MPG, broken cams, bad rod bearings and more. In 2000 I purchased a brand new Dakota ex cab 4x4 sport. Only new car I ever purchased. Only vehicle I have regrets on owning, well except for 68 VW square back with Bosch injection when I was 14.
I got a recall notice for my truck after about 3-4 months. Was getting about 17-19 mpg on freeway then the dealer recall gave me the "death flash". Truck never got more than 12 mpg after that. Replaces the pcm, had it flashed, tried everything I could think of but damn thing would get 12mpg hauling it down road on a trailer....I hated that truck every single damn mile I drove it until its timely death in 2006 at which time I cried tears of joy....what really pisses me off is that there was a 99 Dakota on lot with 5.2 and I didnt get it instead because it was red and I wont drive a red vehicle. My buddy had an identical 99 RED 5.2 ex cab 4x4 and would regularly get 18+mpg......
Lesson here, never buy anything Diamler built and never get a first year engine. The 08+ are imprived and I believe they solved the broken cam issues but getting one off those would be like dating the sister of your crazy ex!