I dont think you can beat a ford F250 superduty. It has a straight axle in the fromt, with lock out hubs, and the trusted old shifter in the floor for your four wheel drive, a completely bulletproof setup. As for gas milage, I own an 03 f250 with a 5.4 and a 6 speed manual tranny, with 33 inch tires on it. I am getting 19 mpg out of it on the highway, and can still tow my 16 foot trailer with my Jeep on it right down the interstate with no trouble at all. No it dont have the power of a powerstroke or the v-10 but they dont get the gas milage either, and it is still almost 300 horsepower. Good luck on your decision.