Originally Posted by LONGBOX55
Best bet would be to consider an overdrive. A 3 speed overdrive from a '55-'57 Passenger car or '55-'59 Truck is a direct bolt in. You should be able to find a good used one in the $100-$200 range. I've ran mine (235, od trans, 3.90 gears, 30" tires) at 75+ mph, no problems at all.
I'll check into that, got a buddy that owns a small older yard. How does that work with column shift? Kinda like a semi truck 2 speed with an extra knob?

1959 Shortbed stepside 1/2 ton project
[Linked Image from i236.photobucket.com]
[Linked Image from i236.photobucket.com]