Gives you 1-1.75" your shocks should be fine. I have the springs in the garage but haven't gotten around to doing it. As far as I understand just take the old ones out and put the new ones in as strait forward as it gets.
Good story. I'm the same way with my father but all my friends are into imports so I doubt I'll ever bring them to the light. You got a good start to with the engine swap already done.
If you were in or near Colorado I have a 4 of those wheels sitting in my garage needing to be cleaned and loved. You can fit 31s comfortably with no lift I'm sure you could go a little bigger but I'd stick with 31s
Really liking what you are doing! I'm going to have to bookmark this forum because I have a lot of similar ideas. Have you installed the detours A-Pillar light mounts? Do you have any pictures? How do you like them?
If you do end up getting a metric ton and don't use the D44 I might be interested in getting it from you depending in the price and if I have the money