[BossHogg69]

the reason you can't find a 1/2 ton with a 5.3L and 5spd is because the torque rating of the 5spd's GM used is less than what the 5.3L puts out. The various versions of this tranny (going back to '88) are not rated for anything over 300lb-ft. Dodge used a version of this transmission too (NV3500). Not to say they will break right off the bat with anything over that (many factors to consider there, traction being a big one), but it doesn't look like GM was willing to risk it with the 5.3. As stated earlier, it's a light duty truck transmission, not a heavy duty/towing oriented trans.

A buddy of mine tried to order a 2002 sbrc truck with a 5.3/5spd/3.73 gear and was told by the dealership that combo was not offered at all. He ended up getting a 5.3/auto/3.73 instead of getting the smaller 4.8/5spd. I would love to have a 5sp in my '05, but sometimes it's kinda nice not rowing gears in traffic. I do all my shifting in my '69!