Dropped leafs on stock suspension.

[DJAD]

Hi members.
This is my first post! I am from Nairobi, Kenya and I have become proud owner of a stock 1957 3100 Chevy truck and ready to embark on this exciting restoration journey. I would like to start from the ground up and been reading about all types of suspension set ups. seem many people are going the independent suspension route. At the moment that is out of my reach due to cost and also high shipping costs.
I would like to lower the truck but not slammed. just a nice low stance, with a good ride quality. I initially though of just yanking out a few leaf springs from both front and rear but i know that will affect the handling and general suspension. i have opted for 3" lowered leafs for the front and 4" lowered leafs for the rear.
Some pics for stock trucks with just lowered front and rear leafs would help a lot, and also the wheel/tire combination coz i would also like to eliminate that gap between the tire and the fender and still keep the wheels well tucked in. I am thinking of 16x7 rims in front and 16x8 rears. Thinking of disc brakes all round and i already have a 400 sbc motor.
Thanks!