My scope shows only about 2. volts for the highs on the data string, is this normal? Figured that might be with the speed.
A normal opto-isolator (like the 4N25) is open-collector and it relies on the pull-up resistor for the positive output. Unless there is something "weird" about the load pulling-down against the pull-up, you should be getting darn-near 5V.
Try it at DC to see if it's related to switching speed.