The reason I commented as I did about GM pickups and no manual trans past the middle 1990s was based on what our sales manager told me after a week-long dealer trip to MI. That was about the same time that GM started to use the Allison automatic. He said "no more manual transmissions" as the automatics with lock-up torque converters had the same fuel economy as the manuals used to have. With mpg the same, no need for a manual transmission. After that, I noticed that our sales of dual-mass flywheels and such (to help diminish the "gear rattle at idle" of the Getrag 5-speeds) and the clutch master cylinders (due to bent push rods) dried up. That was in the middle 1990s time frame.
My research this afternoon revealed that GM did indeed have the 5-speed availabilityty in 1500s into the 2007 model year, BUT only in the "carry-over" body and not in the "new body" 2007s. Which is 10 years past where we didn't get any inquiries for clutch parts or clutch master cylinders. As we were, at the time, one of the larger volume consumer light truck dealers in DFW and TX, I figured that everybody was doing as we were, apparently not stocking or selling any manual trans pickup trucks. In the '88 "new body" platform, we sold lots of V-6 Getrag 5-speed pickups (usually short bed stepsides) to younger buyers. But after that, no more manual trans pickups on the lot. Just my experiences from back then.
We usually spec'd the pickups with mid-level and above trim and options so they'd have good resale later on. Ford dealers, on the other hand, sold lots of base-trim 1/2 ton shortbeds to younger buyers, with Ford add-on a/c and an inexpensive rear "step" bumper. Buyers who couild only afford a single vehicle and the husband needed a pickup truck for work. AND they sold lots of them that way, from what I could tell. Different markets for each brand. Just as during the Barnett Shale oil boom a while back, many younger pipeline welders would get a base trim Ram 2500HD diesel and a Lincoln welding rig mounted in the bed.
So, apparently my experiences didn't really match product spec reality.
The first time I saw a new pickup with an automatic trans (other than some '50s GMCs with HydraMatics) was in 1962. A bull dozer contractor had just got his new '62 Chevy 3/4 ton, with a (gasp!!!) PowerGlide and a 283 V-8. And, he had a PosiTraction rear axle. He was singing the praises of the PowerGlide as it was easier to drive across sandy fields to his work without getting stuck. Easier to start without spinning the wheels. Seems this was his 2nd PG pickup, but this time, with a PosiTrac. He claimed he could "go anywhere" without the drama of having to gear down with a manual transmission. In a time where "real pickups" had the old "Granny" $-speed New Process 4-speed manual trans. Mostly Chevies and GMCs were in this area, back then. Some Fords and rare Dodges.
Take care,
CBODY67