I have owned vehicles with both the manual and auto tranny and driven both extensively off road. The only time I miss the manual is on long,steep down hill grades. I find that no matter how good you are with the clutch everytime you push the clutch in going through a mud hole or up a steep grade you will loose some momentum. Like I said though you have a lot more control coming back down that grade with the manual.

I guess it all depends on what you prefer and what you use your truck for the most.

Different strokes, for different folks, but I love stick, off, and on-road. I do agree that when you're at the odd angle - 60 degrees, for instance, or just about to roll the beast over, it's much safer, and easier with an automatic, but if you apply a little finesse to the situation, it's just that much more rewarding to recover from it with a stick. You can't armstrong a stick like you can automatic, unless you have a lot of spare clutches like you said. I drove a stick for years as a company vehicle, on highway, dirt roads and trails, so it's second nature to me. I've got the Pop-eye right arm, and left leg to prove it. ...and the 'truckers tan' on the left arm and left side of the face. I still try to 'shift' my automatic, when I'm not thinking sometimes... ( feeling for the floor shifter, instead of the column ).

My favorite was when I would go from driving a stick to an automatic and my foot would be searching for the clutch before start up.  That or when I was working maintenance and I would drive the work truck...95 F250 with a Powerstroke and a clutch.  After work I would hop in my S10 with the 2.2 (as someone mentioned before in this thread) lawn mower engine.  I would just about put my foot thru the floorpan when I went to push the clutch on my little little truck.

This also reminds me of a pet peeve of mine.  People who manually shift an automatic.  There is nothing more annoying than someone manually upshifting on the column of their auto tranny in everyday driving situations.

Yea, I got one of those S-10's DD with the two engines - the A/C compressor, and the other engine (2.2). I got to turn the A/C off to pass on the highway. I'd love to meet the brain that came up with this design so I can slap the *** outta him!!

If you really want to get a funny feeling, have a look at the axles and diffs when you got it on a lift getting the tires changed. It looks like something I would find under a Christmas tree when I was a kid!  I'm used to looking under my '77 K5 4X4. ...It's like, Sh*t!  I'm driving a little Tonka truck to work every day!

Yea, I hate people who feel they have to shift an automatic. The only time that's nessesary is towing a heavy load, or going up a steep grade.

A yota what else could it be.  

hey i have a 72 chevrolet truck that im turning into a 4x4 i need to find another truck that i can take all the 4x4 stuff off of what would be my best bet  

MY NAUGHTYDODGE IS THE BEST 4X4 IN THE KNOWN UNIVERSE,AND ANY OTHER ALTERNATE UNIVERSAL REALITYS THAT EVER WILL BE,maybee....  

Mercedes Unimog is hands down the best truck if you can afford it.
Why it is the best? I would say the portal axles that give the best ground clearance and two solid axles with cable activated lockers with exelent suspension articulation. Factory they come with 40inch tires!This will also out tow or out haul any truck out there! You don't need a sticker package with this truck!  

4x4Ranger:
I'm not trying to be rude, but the Crown Victoria is not a 4x4. It's a cop cruiser in my neck of the woods.

Same here. 90% of the cops where I come from drive those, and the other 10% drive those gay Chevy Impalas.  

If a unimog were a person it would be....