If they were mine then I'd probably build the auto to play and the manual as a daily driver.

Like has been stated above the auto will give you easier shifts in the mud. You won't have to try and decide weither to bounce the rev limiter or try and shift into 2nd and loss momentum. My 90 is an manual, and I love it, but I know that when I am really trompin it in a mud hole, I really wish I was in my old ford with an auto. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

I also have to agree that the grey one is just a little to nice, and since you stated that this truck is not going to lead an easy life, and that the trails will reconfigure the sheet metal regularly <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> then I would beat the beater.

Just my $.02

Either one is going to make a sweet ride.

And if you decide you would rather drive a manual, you could always look for a junkyard special and swap it in.

Good luck,
Matt