Honestly, the lower axle ratio is more about gas mileage, and a little bit of caution about axle strength/stress, than it is about top speed.
All things considered, I think I'm going to stick with the plan to get 3.55 geared axles initially, and if she gets more into wheeling it, then 4.10s with lockers.
Honestly, instead of hood louvers, I was planning on just cutting the hood away between the bracing in the front, and putting some flat black mesh behind it, with an e fan it should help cooling a bit. Sounds kind of ricer, but I think it would look good with the grabber green paint.
Since this has been getting such good feedback, can anyone point me towards some advice for a short driver. I'm 6'3", and I had to bend the brake pedal to the left and inch to fit my foot on the gas, but it fits me fine. The problem is my 5'0" wife, she has to move the seat all the way forward, roll up two towels to put behind her back, and then lean the seat back a bit so that the steering wheel isn't in her face. I know I could redrill the floor and move the whole seat, but then its going to get awfully tight for me (I'll bite the bullet if I have too) but I definitely have to do something for the wife, and I have been surprised that I haven't been able to find much besides moving the seat bracket forward.