If I had your truck, this is what I'd do, if $ wasn't a factor on buildup:
1 ~ 4" lift
2 ~ 35" tires (37" might have to massage fender wells)
3 ~ Cross over steering with power steering & IFS steering box
4 ~ Duals with twin sticks
5 ~ W56 trans with 4cyl gear t-cases (if you can find a R151F tranny, it has a lower first gear, and is the strongest tranny)
6 ~ Lockers and 5.29 gears.
7 ~ Rock sliders and a cage (some guys like a cage better than a exo just for the weight difference) front or rear bumper if you want.
You would pretty much have a very capable wheeler with this setup.