I'm thinking that the 3.55 to 1 ratio was chosen as an upgrade for these trucks to be in the optimal middle ground of low enough ratio to achieve highway speeds, yet not so low of a ratio as to effect getting out of its own way from a dead stop. I haven't heard anyone say that they were sorry that they made the swap. Now if they wanted to use the truck to pull stumps, as it was originally designed, they might have some reservations about the swap.
Carl

1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission