Lift/Shock advice for '99 4.0 4x4

[tmr416]

I've scrolled through many threads, and I've read the Tech Libraries pretty carefully, but I still have some unanswered questions about my Ranger:

I bought the truck Christmas 2018 with 193k on it. Now it's at about 205k. Previous owner put new KYB's front and rear in October 2018. The rear sags a tiny bit, and the ride is all around pretty rough (ESPECIALLY on trails/forest roads, which I drive on fairly often).

I want to do a couple inches of suspension lift for the looks and also because further down the road I may upgrade gears, go to 33's (running 31" BFG K0's), add lockers, etc. My plan is to crank the T bars with factory keys and do the Belltech shackle upgrade in the rear. My questions are:
- Should I replace the leaf springs? Upon inspection, they are obviously old (I'm assuming they're the factory set). They're not rusted, but the bushings look old and cracked, and like I said, the truck sags in the bag a wee bit. I'm leaning toward yes, but also whether rock auto or autozone a set is almost $400. If I don't *need* to do it, then I won't.
- Once I install the belltech shackles and do a T bar crank, should I get the Rancho RS55374/RS55126 or am I OK with the factory height Ranchos/Bilsteins if I keep the front and rear lift heights under or at 2"?
- For those of you who have the T bar suspension and have cranked them, and done shackle lifts, what kind of shocks do you run??

Thanks!
Tom

 

[sheep herder]

Cranking the torsion bars is gonna make a rough ride even rougher.