Hey Guys,
I came upon this thread while scouring for the same truck myself but in a 4x4.
I had found a 2wd and was going to forward to you but it is in Ontario, very nice though..... it may have sold as I cannot find the ad.
cars.com has been locating most of the manuals I find State side, there's a pile more of them down there than up here in Alberta.
I found an 8.1 with the 6 speed manual up here for $3600 CAD and after reading about the semi weak 5 speed slush box I am tempted to get that beast and use the tranny. Don't need that big motor as I already have an 02 2500HD with that configuration and it is awesome!
I will keep a watch out for you if you don't mind returning the favor.
Seems most of the ads that say manual are actually autos being mislabelled.
Here's my 02: