I have an old but still good and strong quantum iron and i was wondering if it would be good to crank with it. it has a 5.3:1. i was wondering if i should use it over my new johnny morris sig series(i won it) because of the slower gear ratio

There are anglers who like to use high-speed reels for cranking and others who prefer lower speeds. It's all a matter of personal preference and I'd use whatever YOU feel most comfortable with.

i use a quantum iron for cranking deep and i love it. it casts well (like all quantums) and it has plenty of power and smoothness.  of course it is a bit heavier than going with a lower profile reel or even a newer round reel... butits what i have and i have come to love it.

for that matter my two deep cranking rigs are the quantum iron and a shimano cardiff. i think they are both excelent reels for the job im using them for... and i typically throw the quantum mainly with the cardiff set aside as either a back up or different line size. this is only because the iron is a tiny bit lighter and i have it on a lighter rod also.

the lower gear ratio in terms of cranking (esp deep) is more for the torque than it is the "speed".  the amount of resistance that a 3/4 oz lure at 20+ft deep on a 30 yard cast puts on you all day is much easier handled by a reel that is geared for "strength" rather than speed. just like your car downshifts to go up a hill..... same concept.