You’ll want to find a short ratio 4.44 final drive gearbox. I don’t know what they’re out of exactly but they’re out there.
Other way to go is with an auto and a big trans cooler.
The thermo fan cut switch is a must for water crossings. I tend to avoid mud holes, too much crap to clean after crossing these.
Cheers
Bennie
The old F150 did not like -18F and shredded it's serpentine belt when I started it, so subaru got pressed into hauling a little firewood. It was up to about -6F when doing the wood.