automatic is the way to go in that truck.. but do yourself a favor and get the 4.3L. The 2.2 4cyl is nothing but a dissappointment. I had the choice between a 4cyl 5spd or a 4.3 auto and chose the 4cyl for the gas mileage....now I am kicking myself in the ass, mainly because the 4.3 makes it a thousand times easier to swap in an LT1 since a lot of the accessories both motors are interchangeable and you can use the same 4.3 tranny.