Right now, I've got a '59 292 in my '30 Model A Coupe.  The transmission is a 3 speed toploader from the early '60s (non-synchro'd reverse).  I THINK it's the wide ratio transmission because there seems to be a big difference between 2nd and 3rd.
The rear is a Dana 41 with 4.27:1 gearing.  The tires are 29.5" tall.

On the highway it's spinning at 3200 or so at 65 mph.  In Second Gear, at around 30 mph in town it's also spinning close to 3000.  

Anyway...I originally thought about getting a 9" rear with more reasonable gearing in it, but then it may not be as fun.  Doing the math with a T-5, with two extra gears, and one of them an OD, I think it would be a better option.  

1.  What would I need to make this work?  Clutch Parts, adapters, etc.?  
2.  Anyone know how much further back my shifter would be coming from a toploader?
3.  Anything else that I'm overlooking?

I went back and read the whole post. Thinking about the 4.27 rear gears, and your original complaint of the rev’s at highway speeds.

If you can live with a non-syncro 1st gear, how about a T-86 overdrive transmission? Ford must have used millions of those behind 292’s, and if not abused they live just fine. Bolting them up is painless. Finding a floor shift for the o/d can be a challenge, space along side for the shifter (new hole in the floor) and maybe the Model A crossmember for the trans mount. But they’re more available than a T85 o/d, and smaller. With the 2.4? 1st and 1.6? 2nd they’ve got pretty decent spacing, 1.1 3rd and 0.7 o/d. That puts you about 2250 at 65mph.

I think there’s some Jeep parts that let you put a floor shifter on top in, but the odd rumor is all I know.

Just a thought.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Miker,

I thought about the T85 at one point but, as you said, probably won't be easy to find one...plus the shifter issue(s).  I didn't really entertain the T86 because of its somewhat "delicate" reputation.  At the end of the day, it's a hot rod so I would always want the option of beating the crap out of it!  (Not Really- but give its reputation, I'd never FULLY trust that it wasn't about to break the next time I drove it.

My 55 TBird was born with a T86, R10 overdrive and 4.1 rear gears and still has it's original drive train. My motor is a .060 over 292 with 312 heads and intake.  It's a wonderful setup for modern driving.  I disable overdrive while driving around town as I rarely get into third gear with the O/D engaged. I use O/D for highway driving.   At 60 MPH In 3rd gear O/D, my engine is turning about 2,000 rpm.  The O/D drops the RPM by about 1/3.  The 4.10 gears make for spirited acceleration. It's a very peppy car.  I am nervous about blowing my transmission, so I never hammer it from a stop or power shift.  I blew up my share of Ford three speeds back in the day and I don't need any more of that.  One more thing, the T86 is not syncro in first. With the O/D engaged you can shift into 1st without coming to a complete stop.  The T85 R11 was a very tough transmission if you can find one.  It came behind 312s and some big blocks. I doubt you will blow one of them.