I will also jump on the Auto is better then manual band wagon. Yes, manufacturers are switching due to consumer demand, but also they have far less exposure to warranty issues. Manuals can be driven improperly easier, tend to blow through sincros, factory clutches are generally inadequet for heavy use and the impact to the drivetrain as a whole causes a lot of damage. There are so many ways an automatic is better, it is hard to know where to start.

I recently towed 10K to Phoenix with my 05 Titan, and on the steep hills the 5spd Auto kept me from speeding up while going as fast as reasonably possible without using the brakes. When I got back I did the FIRST service...on schedule flush at 105K! Yep, high end Autos now go 100K on fluid changes. As far as off-road? No comparison, autos rule. As far as maintance you have a filter, dipstick, cooler.... Yes, an Auto will cost a pile more to rebuild, but it will be less frequent, with less wear on the rest of the vehicle.

Agreed, today's auto transmission is the heavier duty choice for the working truck. Most fleets don't even consider manual transmissions because of the increased maintenance, anymore you pay extra for a manual and pay more in the long haul. I'd buy a manual for a sports car but other than that the manual transmission just doesn't have a place in the automotive world (even in the heavy truck world)
I do however think that it should be a requirement to learn to drive with a manual and have to "graduate" to an automatic after a few years. Driving a manual really keeps your focus on driving and i think with all the technology these days the kids learning to drive would be less of a hazard on the road. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

The T-100 was offered in the 6.5' (extended cab) and 8' (regular cab) beds. The 1993-1995 were the years they came with the V6 (no extra cabs...regular cabs only) and 1995 8' long bed had the 2.7L, 3.0L, and 3.4L V6 as it's engines. The 1995 V6 versions were available in both 2WD and 4WD. The 1996-1998 T-100 8'longbed only had the 4 cylinder engine. All engines had the option of auto or manual regardless of drive train.

None of the 1995-1998 T-100 extended cabs had the option of a 8' bed...however if you dropped the tailgate down you could fit a 4'x8' sheet of plywood easily without anything hanging over the tailgate. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Been trying to find out if one could adapt the Insta-gate on the T-100 tailgate... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ4vNWXyBEY