Gear Boxes??

I am looking to install a manual gear box on my 80 elco. Trying to drop weight of the front end. I plan on driving the car on the street (no drag or daily driver). I have heard of some guys loosing control of the car with the manual gear box. Is still for all cases or did it just get away from them. And I was also wondering if there was a box that had a higher ratio then other years or one better then the s-10? Any help would be great.

Thanks

Doug