Having the ability to bump-start your rig is also very nice... I myself having drained my battery on more then one occasion.

 

My 4Runner is automatic, my pickup is manual. All my trucks previous to the 4Runner, including my beloved FJ40, were stick shifts.
Overall, I prefer a manual transmission, on and offroad because the driver controls the vehicle. The auto in the 4Runner is not bad, if you need to, you can drop it into selected gears manually, but it does hurt gas mileage and power. At times, mostly on the road, not having to shift is nice.
It is easier to replace a clutch than a transmission, but if you take care of your vehicle and you keep it for awhile, you will most likely have to change at least one clutch, but not R&R an entire auto trans, probably just service and/or band adjustment. A good driver can get lots of mileage out of a clutch; my pickup's clutch has about 120K on it and still works fine. I would agree with the bump starting deal, I've done that plenty of times.

 

i will probably just sas the truck and make it how i want it for now. then one day after i build the truck and am bored, ill swap out that friggin auto for a manual and sas that one too. i need a parts truck for interior parts for my pickup so ill just get one with a manual and swap the auto for the manual. thanks for all the help guys. much appreciated.