gearing choices

[jsteppe]

Here is my dilemma. I'm the proud owner of a 1981 k10. My truck has a 350th350c tranny, a 208 transfercase and 3.73 gears 10 bolt front and 12 bolt rear. When I bought the truck 14 years ago it had 2.73 gears that I had swapped out. I have always wanted to swap my tranny for a stick shift. I even picked up a sm465 and np205 to put in someday. I now have access to a parts truck that has the 4 speed od tranny and 3.08 gears. So I thought why not get that and drop my cruising rpms and still have the stick shift that I want. Then I thought it would be a lot easier to just put the 3.08 diffs in my truck and forget about changing the trans. I do some light towing with a single axle trailer but not very often. Would the OD tranny with 3.73 gears and 32 inch tires be okay for occasional towing. Or should I keep the auto and go with 3.08 gears. The parts truck is one I have known for awhile It was well maintained. But the salt of PA winters rusted the body out. Mechanically it is in good shape so I don't have the fear of having to rebuild everything I use. I would appreciate your thoughts and advice. Thank You. Joe S