[Anthony]

Duane,

Actually, that 5-speed already exists, in a way that is. A Richmond 5-speed is kind of like a close ratio top-loader with a .82 overdrive. If you couple a Richmond 5-speed, substituting the 3.04 first instead of the standard 3.27, and combine it with a 3.07 rear, it would be comparable to using a close ratio "toploader 5 speed" with a 0.82 OD coupled to a 3.54 rear.

You can special order the richmond with the 3.04 first, keeping 2nd through 5th the same, making the 1st to 2nd shift not as drastic. I almost did, and in fact, I currently run a wide ratio TL with a 3.07 rear with the idea that if I thought the ratio's were too far spaced, I could just swap the tranny to a close ratio 5 speed richmond / jerico / G-force of similar ratio's without changing my rear end gears, for both performance and some economy. The wide ratio TL with the 3.07 rear is perfect though.

The jerico's and G-forces are available in many ratio's to suit anybody's taste, but expect to spend $4000-$5500. The Richmond is alot cheaper, but not as good of a tranny.