Nope the nut issue is only on the manual version. I think they only had the 4speed auto in the 1st gen. Btw if i where you look at the 94-98 2nd gen since they have the 2nd body style and the 12v motor.

 

Okay sounds good. Is there any advantages to the 2nd gen body? Just newer electronics and such in the interior? I've heard the diff's in the older trucks were tougher, but I'm not 100% sure

 

The 2nd is just basically newer. The differentials are the same(im pretty sure). You can't really go wrong either way though.

 

There are no 5 speed autos behind the diesels. The 45/545rfe is behind the 3.7/4.7/5.7/6.1/6.4(?) gas engines from 1999 on. The diesels were mated to the 47rh, 47re, or 48re 4-speed autos until 2007.5 when the 6.7 hit the streets with the 68rfe 6-speed auto behind them. The nut issue was a manual tranny issue.

 

another albertan here!!!