IF you eliminate the torque tube rearend you can use the pumpkin from 55 up thru somewhere in the 60's. I used a 56 pumpkin and went from 4.11 to a 3.90. Not the best but and improvement.
...and I have read the post about the 3.55 ring/pinion set from Patricks...BUT I have read that a rearend from a Dodge Dakota already has a 3.55 rearend but not sure what year. But, as mentioned it would mean changing the tranny since the torque tube is gone.
I wish I had know about the Dakota rearend as I could have used it on my panel...if the width is good.
Just idea's here so hope some of this helps.
The problem with using a Dakota rearend is the oddball bolt pattern. While it is 6 lug (depending on year, some ealy Dakotas are 5 lug), it is the 6x4.5 pattern. Somewhat difficult to get wheels for. The 5 lug variant uses the common Ford/MoPar 5x4.5 pattern, much better wheel availability.
