Agreed, I think more specific data would have avoided the confusion from the get go.  I also think I'd include type of cam, and spring pressures when asking about rocker setups.

I have a narrow pattern bell, fresh T10, new Hurst shifter and rods, flywheel, and aluminum driveshaft to put a T10 in a 60-64 Galaxie.  Trans was behind a mild 390, street tire open diff car, not abused. 

I just pulled this out of my '63 Marauder, approximately 500miles on the setup, less on the driveshaft.  I found a great deal on a TKO500 so went that way. 

T10 rebuilt by me, all new bearings, sliders, synchros and 2-4th gears purchased from Ed Hartnett.  First is a little noisey but otherwise it shifts great, absolutely doesn't pop out of gear. 

Hurst shifter was new at time of install, bought it from Dan Williams, along with the rod kit, setup cost $500.

Bell has partial chipped ear but otherwise perfect, doesn't effect install. 

Driveshaft is a 3.5" aluminum Shaftmaster with 1330 joint and new Spicer yoke and ujoints. 

$600 obo, I'm in Virginia but travel to Pa frequently and would deliver to mid atlantic for the right situation. 

PM with any questions, thanks. 

I went to the vintage races at Watkins Glen this year, the Trans Am class wasn't as big as the 2013 edition when it was the featured class, but it was still very good racing and great to see "real" cars versus the tube chassis stuff you see now.  They run VERY hard in that class, great to see them leaning on the cars, everything from Cobras to Boss to GT350s to big block Vettes....

I've owned both Gen 1 and Gen 2 Lightnings and love the concept of the hotrod trucks.  In it's day the Gen 1 was quick but most struggled to run 14s stock in the real world.  I put a XB1A Powerdyne on it and it ran 13.1@103, that made it a great overall pickup.  I loaded 4 complete 460s and a 9 inch in it and it handled it, could do short towing with a fullsize car on car trailer if needed.  Mine only weighed 4100 with spare tire and front swaybar removed, and 'glass hood although it didn't weigh much less than stock steel hood.  Awesome handling for a pickup, very good combo with the blower on it, but it rode like hell. 

My 2001 has a lot more punch down low and feels faster, probably won't ET much better but it's a freight train.  Rides better, but is softer and around 500lbs heavier so it isn't quite as fun to drive, although it will still do fine on a back road and the huge 295s give it plenty of grip.  It has normal bolt ons and I'm sure will run high 12s if it could hook a little.  I use it to tow my Mercury, a little lightly sprung but it manages, better tow platform than the Gen 1 by a long shot with much better brakes. 

I love that these trucks can still be used as such, some on that list are glorified station wagons.  Wish Ford would get serious and do another one, a 6.2L in the new lighter body in 2wd would be pretty slick and would probably move out very nicely. 

Definitely go wide ratio.  I have a '63 marauder, with a T10 (2.32 first gear) and 3.50 it was still lazy, feels ok with 4.10 now but obviously cruise manners are not so good. 

Gotcha, makes sense.  I initially was thinking limited applications, but then after thinking of all the late models pulling this kind of gear, started to see more possibilities as long as the engine pulls clean down there. 

Can't really see the need for a T56 other than ultimate strength if you're going big power.  .50 gear is going to only pull 1700rpm running 70mph even with a 4.11, most any hotrod engine is going to be cammed where that is not really a good RPM to pull that much load.  Hard to say as I don't know anyone trying it, maybe stroker in a light car can do it effectively, and OEM stuff does it with taller gears so I'm sure EFI cars can do it.

If you run more than 4.11 with the 2.97 first gear, seems like it's getting too steep.

The close ratio does make some sense with intermediate .82 fifth gear if you want to road race or have a canyon car, but the .63 sixth is same as a TKO for cruising.