I wouldn't mess with the auto. I would start looking around for the parts to swap in a 5 or 6 speed manual, but I love shifting gears and hate automatics.

I looked at the ats built tranny so far whole Lotta $$$$, haven't given much thought about swapping to standard, most of my jeeps have been standard. I've always had better luck with standards, and that nv4500 is a beast wouldn't mind a couple of those for my jeeps

Stick is alright. Kind of a pain. Don't go ats, better options out there by far

Indeed. Chances are if you can find the right person to ask, you can find a local guru who can build your auto right for a decent price.
That having been said, if I didn't plow snow I'd have had a six gear handshaker in my rig years ago and thousands of $ in my pocket.