I've been running a .72 BW T5 in my 54 truck for about 8000 miles.....used an 83-84 Firebird clutch disc with the stock pressure plate and T.O. bearing. I've documented the T5 mods in my Webshots "Shoebox" album and offered some tips that will save you a bunch of time and energy.
There are basically 2 common S10 T5's...the .72 OD with a 3.76 1st gear and a .86 OD with a 4.03 1st gear. The .72/3.76 runs through 1st gear very quickly, even with a 3.42 R&P......the 4.03 even quicker with a 3.08 R&P. You might want to consider the Camaro/Firebird T5 with a 2.95 1st gear and a .63 OD. The gear spread is much tighter and coupled with a 3.73 R&P should be slick in an AD truck. I'm using it in my next project build. Of course, there's always a hoop to jump through...the Camaro/Firebird boxes have a shifter mounted way back on the tailshaft. If you check out "Hybrid T5's" you'll see the conversion to a forward mount shifter. The only hitch to the conversion is using a cobalt drill bit to make a dimple in the mainshaft to relocate the mechanical speedo gear.
Upgrading to the T5 transmission is in my opinion, the best way to get your truck up to modern highway speeds. The .72 T5 with a 3.42 lets you cruise comfortably at 70 mph at 2000 rpms and you can drop down to 45 mph and accelerate with traffic with no downshift. Combine the transmission upgrade with some front discs, sway bars, gas shocks and some radials and you'll transform your truck into a great cruiser while still maintaining the "stock" look. Hope this helps.
Dave
