If you do a little research into the 235 you'll see that it makes it's torque down between 1600-2400 rpm. Adding more aggressive cam is going to adversely effect your low end torque and have you spinning more rpm's. Now this is a 4 main engine, not a 7 main engine....why not work on improving your low end grunt and use your gearing to stay inside the near-stock power band?
I chose the latter for my 54....with no regrets. My torque cammed, fully balanced, bored .60, with some modest headwork 1960-235, coupled to a .72 OD 1985 S10 T5 running back to an 88 Camaro 3.42 diff with 29" tires, stock distributor (no high rpms needed) dual Carter/Webers and Fenton headers w/1-7/8 ID exhaust into CherryBomb Turbos, will cruise all day at 65-70 at 2000 rpms. It will drop down to 45 in OD and smoothly accelerate back up to 70 mph. I can tuck it into 4th gear at 35 mph around town and run it 65mph if I have the need and still not working the engine that hard.
The 235 is never going to be a rocket ship....the best bang for the buck is in getting the engine drilled for a full flow filtering system and the full rotational balance. Having great oil pressure at hot idle is reassuring and the balance job really smooths out the engine. In all honesty, unless you're going to go with an upgraded disc braking system, radial tires, and gas shocks, front and rear sway bars, a complete rebuild of the straight axle, roller bearings, cruising at speeds over 60-65 are not going to be that pleasant. Just the wind noise, even with plenty of cab insulation is an issue.
Kyle, you've got the right idea about doing your research before you start throwing time and money into your truck. I'm not quite sure where "Howling Timber Wilderness" is located but if you've got a bunch of long hills and you go with the T5, you're going to find that you'll be doing a bunch of driving in 4th gear. A 3.73 is going to have you wound up pretty tight in 1-4 and your 235, even tweaked, isn't going to fly up the steep hills in OD. I hope this helps you with your planning.
Dave
