[kipps]

Agree with Andrew. Don't worry about upgrading anything until you've replaced any worn parts and can see how it drives stock.

You mentioned shocks. Replace them. Get someone else to steer while you watch for play in the steering system. Do the rag joints and u-joints have slop in them? Is there obvious play between the input shaft and the output shaft of the steering gear? Is the pitman arm loose on the shaft? Are the tie rod ends worn out?

Jack up the vehicle and check for wear in the ball joints and wheel bearings. Are the leaf spring bushings worn out, and allowing the springs to float around on the chassis? Are the front tires a matched set? Is the tire pressure equal side-to-side?

Fix the worst offenders first. Then move on to the lesser problems. Only once the steering/suspension is in tip-top shape, should you even consider modifying the design.