Looking for opinions on automatic vs stick

HMS Beagle wrote:
I'm not sure durability is much different these days. But if we are talking 99-05 vintage, the automatics do have some operational downsides. The 4R100 in my '99 had a chasm between 3rd and 4th gear that was inconvenient most of the time. It also had a hard time making up it's mind on grades. I'm not sure how that would translate to a gasser, maybe the ratios are better matched. A good friend had the 5 speed auto, better, but still lacking. In a new truck, you can't get a manual, but the automatics have gotten so much better in that time there is no advantage to a manual that I can see. The 6R140 seems to be pretty **** good.

This brings in another good point. I see you're in Southern California. If it's as hilly down there as it is in Northern California, you may want to go with a newer 5-speed auto if you go auto. I had an 06 dodge that had a 4-speed auto (3.73 gears with 35" tires) and it would up shift at the top of every hill, and I wound have to make it downshift again at the bottom. Being a truck driver, that's a problem for me. It may not be for you, however. Now, the 1996 ford diesel I have right now has 4.10s and 265 size tires. It too is only a 4-speed auto, but so far has done way better hauling than that dodge did. Could've been a few reasons for that (trans programming, tire size, gear ratios). It's all worth thinking about. For the 4r100, all you have is an overdrive on/off button. For the torqshift, you have a tow/haul button, which changes some programming that has a lot of advantages when you have extra weight. Also works nice if you don't have weight and are decsending a long hill or something.