KickinTires

I don't regret starting cheap. I sold the spacers after I was done with them so I didn't lose much money. All you gain with spacers is ground clearance. Travel is negatively affected, and my stock shocks wore out very quickly after I added the spacers.

Figure out where you would ultimately like to end up with the truck and start working toward it. For someone who likes to go off road (as you seem to), I think that COs with aftermarket UCAs should be your minimum goal. Our front suspension needs all the help it can get in the articulation department. If you settle for less, you'll end up regretting it.

My current set-up will not be my final one. In the long run, I'm going to end up spending a lot more money.