I also had a 1953 1/2 ton. Just sold it yesterday but I had it for 12 years. I put in a 261 and changed the rears gears to 3.55. Got some new tires all around and she'll top out at 87 mph. I didn't do many other modifications, kept the 1 barrel Rochester, stock ignition, stock torque tube and brakes. I was always quite happy with it.
