Manual Transmissions Demise
 

I've been doing a lot of reading about manual transmission trucks as of late in addition to searching for manual transmission V8s on cars.com and the like. I'm curious what was behind the push (and other manufacturers) to offer the V6 predominantly? Was it perhaps an "econo-truck" was purely their selling point?

Govt fuel regulations. It made the companies to make stronger, more fuel-efficient engines. No way could you buy a factory 390 f100 with 400 hp from ford. but there are v6s w about that horsepower, and they would run away from the older engines. Sure the old engines had power, but nothing like what 2005-6 up cars have vs then.