Transmission gear versus 3.73 rear ratio

[mrdave03]

Hi All, I finally blew my 3 on the tree tranny. I think the upgraded 327 didnt like it much. I want to upgrade to possibly a floor shift 4 speed. Perhaps Saginaw. I was hoping to use the same one piece drive shaft. The rear is a 3.73. Any thoughts on trans first gear size? A friend has a Saginaw 4 speed with 3.11 first gear but that would make the truck dog on start if I'm not mistaken? Or anything else that would mate up to my drive shaft that will gear well with the 3.73 rear? The tranny in it was the old 58-64 3 speed with 4 bolt side cover. So it had the shorter tail piece. I prefer not to have to cut shaft. I'm not adverse to a direct replacement trans either but having trouble finding an exact match.