In effect, all new cars/trucks on a dealer lot are "custom ordered" based on what the dealer predicts will sell the best. Ford offers common option group packages to make ordering easier but each vehicle is nonetheless ordered in a particular combo. In the U.S., for most vehicle lines, this means more automatics are ordered than manuals and some models are available only with automatic. This is based on how the majority of buyers vote with their dollars.

A customer may have the dealer factory order any particular combination of options that the Dealer Ordering Guide allows. This may be different from what a dealer would ordinarily choose for the lot.

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Saying that a Ranger with a manual transmission and the Power Equipment Group has to be some special factory order is not true. In almost every Ranger, the manual transmission is standard equipment and must be deliberately optioned out at extra cost to get an automatic. In a few special cases, the automatic is required because of other equipment (Tremor, for example) but it is a standalone option for most Rangers.

I have seen new Rangers with manuals on dealer lots with higher end options but they are less common than base models with manuals. Many American buyers don't consider a vehicle "loaded" unless it has an automatic transmission but there are still a few who prefer a manual regardless of other options. Of course, option preference also varies by region, so certain markets may have a slightly higher percentage of manuals in the mix while others have very few.

The high end manuals are out there but don't expect to find one on every lot. No dealer wants to be stuck with anything less than a popular option combo.

 

When I bought my truck in 2006, they couldn't find one anywhere with the options I wanted. Which was Sport, reg cab, 4wd, 4.0, 5 spd, DSG, with all power options. They had to order it and came with everything I optioned except for the 4.10 gears.

 

I wish my truck was a manual but i drive semi's and other large trucks at work so i get my work out in there. Since i learned clutchless shifting my lifes been great with synchronized trannys lol