With the automatic, you get the advantage of the torque converter, plus less likely to burn up a clutch. I only know of 2 guys around here that plow with a stick, one has a mutt truck peiced together out of sevral years and styles (short bed w/ 3/4 ton axles, a '74 drivetrain w/full time 'case and 4 speed), the other uses a '42 GMC 6x6 with a 302 and a 12 ft blade.
As to strenght, I was more referring to the ealier tuck using a Dana 44 front axle and the 14 bolt full foater in the back. The later 'Burb would more likely have the 10 bolt fron with the 14 bolt semi-float in the back. The older truck has heavier capacity axles.
In either case, the transfer cases are chain drive, using a virtually identical chain, although I seem to recall that the 203 actually has a wider chain. It also has a stronger low range case.
If you want an even stronger setup, use the NP205 gear drive 'case with a 203 low range housing adapted to it. I beleive Advance Adapters makes the kit. That will allow for not only a super strong gear drive 'case, but also a double low range. I would not use that with semi-float axles, though.
