If you're a little concerned with highway economy and/or retaining more of you stock engine power, BFG makes 33X10.5-15's and 33X9.5-15's. (instead of the common 33X12.5-15 or a 305/70R-16) Other companies make 255/85R-16s in all-terrain and mud tires (a hair taller than 33 inches and about 10" wide). On the 67-72 chevy truck site I've heard from people who've used the 33X10.5-15's and really like them.

Both shocks sound good. Really, there are no impracticle choices for shocks while considering street handling. Anything is usually better than stock shocks. Resevoir shocks would probably be really nice and it's only downside for street use is cost.

Some of the resevoir shocks are "rebuildable" meaning you can open it up and adjust the compression and rebound dampening any way you want. I've heard some people describe those shocks as feeling "almost magical."

nope never been...  

The 10.5" tires sound good; i'll look at them. What is the downside of using reservoir shocks? I could stiffen them with the adjusters for the road.

Rebuildable would be nice, because later, I could have them valved for the weight and stuff. The reservoirs are only about $300 more.  If I am going to have a highlight of the truck, I would like it to be the suspension.

I will proabaly get a decent/free-er flowing  exhaust system (maybe some headers later) and an air filter and free-er manifold (not too free)

What are some good leaves for the rear? If I got some leaves that were moderatly supple, would stiffening the shocks make a diference in the whole/overall shock/spring stiffness for the road?

Okay, I found out resevoir shocks may or may not be totally tuneable. It's the next shock style up the food chain from mono-tube shocks. I don't know if there is a common style of valving for the resevoir shocks but I know that they're made for people who like to go fast over bumps and perhaps air under the tires. The resevoir in the shock just provides most consistant dampening.

The BYPASS Shocks are the ultimate shock absorbers. They have valving in the head as well as external metering valves that can be adjusted with a wrench for compression and rebound. As the shock compresses it not only uses the valve metering in the head but also the external valving to. Apparently, these shocks are not only velocity sensitive like conventional shocks, but also position sensitive.

In southern California there's a company that makes custom leaf springs for people who like to jump dunes. They can make you a nice set of lifted springs that will also flex nicely. The name is Deaver, I think.

Zero-rate add-a-leafs can also give you a bit of lift without making it stiffer.

I don't know about what kind of difference stiffer shocks on soft springs (like stock?) would make on the road.

BTW there's a new tech article about IFS lifts. Pehaps a custom long-travel IFS fabrication job would be really nice, yet still cheaper than a solid axle swap. That would sure make your suspension shine.

I will check out deaver, thanks. I still really like the rs9000x's.  I think they would be good for everything. Would they be okay on low speed trails?  

Deaver make good spring, not only for dunes but for some flex as well, they use thinner leaves, but more of them... also for the rear you can do a shackle flip.  Giving you about 4" of lift and some more flex as well...  

They'd probably be great for low speed trails. Check out the suspension tech articles on this website. It actually does a test and comparison on Rancho RS5000, RSX and RS9000 shocks.

From what I've read, RS9000's can be good at rock crawling, giving dampening similar to a Cadillac. I think it also run really firm too.