My F-450 has a 5 speed and needs more. Often I have to choose between too low or too high of a gear, but that is the problem with a vehicle that wieghs anywhere between 8000and 16000 lbs. My Ghia has 1.26 3rd and 89 4th and the drop is no problem at all. An 82 might be pushing it. I'm really hung up on the 3.44 RP myself. Personally I like a good spread and an engine that loves to pull. I like enough spread to really savor each gear. A good 2-3000 rpm in each gear gives enough time to say OOHHH YEAH.
The stock gearing on the later years is really evenly spaced if you plot speed vs rpm in each gear. With a 3.44 coupled to an engine like Jakes 2270 I think would be well matched for pulling and 4th gear cruising.
Ron