My Dad has a '59 1/2 ton with 235/3.90 and 3 speed and it is a pleasure to drive. It is driven at 60 plus mph regularly, and quite comfortably.
He also used to have a '55 1/2 ton with 265 v8 and 3.38 gears and I thought it seemed a little sluggish compared to the '59.
Maybe you should consider an overdrive for the best of both worlds.
