62 inline 6 speed ideas

[crhyno]

I have a 62 short bed step-side c10 that I have been driving and doing some minimal work to for about a year now. It has an inline 6 with no power steering or brakes and a 3 speed column shifter. I have decided that I like the truck enough that I am going to spend serious cash on getting it redone - frame off complete body and suspension restoration (am even going to get a modern master cylinder so I do not run anyone over if a brake line goes).

Anytime I have attempted any of my projects I have scoured this site and found great advice so I will ask for your help once again.

My question(s) concerns driving it on the highway. Right now I can do about 50MPH but I need a good downhill stretch or tailwind to go above that. I live on Long Island NY and I will get run over if I get on a parkway or express way doing 50. Since the truck will be apart anyhow, I am wondering what would be the best idea for getting a little more speed before it all gets reassembled. The engine has 61,000 original miles and I want to keep it (maybe go with a small block V8 in the future but for now I want to stick with what I have).

So, my questions are: do I have some engine work done, or change the rear end gearing, or do the new engine now, or buy a rocket pack to install in the bed (or a combination of any or all of these ideas).

As always, any and all thoughts / opinions / advice / warnings will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for reading.