That Ford OD is a redesign of the top loader muscle car 4 spd,a rugged unit.Yes, the gear ratios suck,but no worse than a typical 3spd with a planatary OD unit.
I've seen Ford tranny's in Chevy's using a Lakewood steel bellhousing and a custom pilot bearing.Advance adapter might have something too.Shorten the driveshaft,change the yoke,maybe a custom speedo cable.