5-speed "deep thoughts..."

[jocko]

Interested in picking a few of your brains on the subj of 5-speeds. My question is specific to the TKO500 and TKO600. Gear ratios are as follows:

TKO-500 3.27(1) 1.98(2) 1.34(3) 1.00(4) .68(5) (Rated to 500 ft/lbs)
TKO-600 2.87(1) 1.89(2) 1.28(3) 1.00(4) .64(5) (Rated to 600 ft/lbs)

My 66 C10 has a 283 and 3.73 rearend (based on my chalk on the tire and driveshaft check anyway - someone must've changed it from the 3.08 that's listed on the glovebox. It sure launches like a 3.73 and tachs out at 3500 at around 55 mph).

Anyway, I digress... Here's my MAIN concern - my first choice of the two is the TKO 500 since I surely don't need a 600 hp-capable trans in the first place (i.e. the TKO 600 - I know, I know, I don't need a 500 hp-capable trans either with my little 283, but homeboy wants a 5-speed darn it!) But with a 3.73 rear and the 3.27 1st gear in the TKO 500, my first gear ratio is an astronomical 12.2:1.... In other words, I'd probably get to all of 3 mph before it would be time to shift to 2nd. Now I don't want to buy a 5-speed and never use 1st gear. The TKO 600 has a more suitable (IMO) 1st gear of 2.87 (which is still a little steep with a 3.73 rear, but much better than a 3.27 1st gear).

So, that's my concern - now here's my question -

Is the TKO 500 (with 3.27 1st gear) and 3.73 rear end a driveable combo? Anyone driven it before? Thoughts? ( I realize it's nothing like a granny 4-speed, but I don't want a granny gear)

If it's not a good combo - is a better solution to get the TKO 600 (with the 2.87 1st gear) or to swap the rear gears down to a 3.08 or maybe a 3.23 and just use the TKO 500? (i.e. the 3.27 1st gear in the TKO 500 will help dramatically with the launch of the spindly 3.08 (related concern with this approach is that 5th gear would almost be at idle!).

Or would even the TKO 600 b better with a 3.23 or 3.55, for example?

Anyway, interested in your thoughts gents, been racking my brain and thought some of you may have had some more experience with these setups than I have. (I have considered the T-5 also, but focusing this quesiton on just the TKO 500/600).

Thanks all.
Jocko