[tjsblazer]

If you called Deaver for a thinner gauge, higher leaf pack spring that they are known for to get a more compliant ride you can get similar from Alcan spring. Deaver and Alcan are the two most popular custom leaf builders for that type of thing. I'm sure you know that custom springs get spendy but I'd give Stephen a call at Off Road Design. He can design you a set of custom springs to get what you want and they get them made by Alcan. Give him as much detail as you can about your truck and the ride you want. He was very helpful on mine. Mine make my truck sit about 2" higher than stock which is what I wanted. You could ask if it is possible to shoot for stock ride height. The minimum 4" info from Deaver is why I went to Off Road Design for mine.

As others have said, good quality shocks, new quality steering box. Many have installed a front sway bar and liked the results. The common way other than custom is to use a unit out of a mid 70s square body. You take the front frame cross member along with the sway bar and spring brackets. Very slight mod to get the cross member in place.
There is a few different threads from people that have done this.