Gear it with the 3.55 sets available or change out the transmission and rear axle for a newer one, both options will not hurt the resale value since most will want to drive faster anyway, plus you really won't be able tell its been modified. You can always change it back since no major work will be required.
It will ride like a truck with the four leaf springs, but you can soften it a bunch with spring liner and removing a few leafs. You can also improve the steering with a 41-46 gear box and a little work on the steering column, this will not show either since the gear boxes look almost the same. The newer box slows the steering ratio and adds roller balls for easier steering.
Mine will run all day at 70 mph with a little 250 inline 6, so a 350 is not really needed for highway use.
Forgot to add that mine has disk brakes on the straight axle. I wanted the front brakes to match the late model rear axle so I went with disks, other wise I would have used the OEM brakes. Both types in top shape will stop equally as well, the drums just won't do it as many times in a row due to heat build up.
Good looking truck!
Joe
Last edited by Joe H; 02/15/2014 2:58 AM.
