Walls and Ceilings - Choosing the right ceiling, woes.

I am building a room in the unfinished basement of our 78 year old house. I would love to do a drop ceiling but it is just too low down there for a drop ceiling. I also thought about a wood plank ceiling for a nice look, but I have some ducts, water pipes and returns to work around and will have to drop my ceiling in a couple places a 1" or 2". I doubt that that is low enough for ceiling tiles? or is it?

If that is too low what are some other alternatives? Am I gonna have to drywall it?

Or in the places I am really concerned about the drop tile can I put them in as I build the frame? My concern is that I will not be able to get them in after I put up the framing since it needs to be so tight to the ducts and stuff.

Sorry if this is confusing I am sort of thinking outload.

what is the exact height of your ceiling?

I did some more thinking. Drop ceiling will work. The height is around 7'6" on half. So the drop could be around 7' 2" or so. My problem was on one end where a lot of ducting is. I think I can hang the tracks and stick tile in it while I do it and have it around 6' 3" and be ok. Its gonna be low no matter what I use there so I think the drop tile will work out well.