Question re-HD leaf springs

New to this forum, but seems like a lot of knowledgeable folks on here. If I was to put a set of General Spring Kansas heavy duty leaf springs on rear of my truck, would i need to lift front end and if so would bilstein 5100's be the way to go. Plan to put a ARE shell on in few weeks and with humping around various carpentry tools, not sure how much lift would be gained by the stronger springs. Bought truck a month ago , rear springs were replaced by toyota last Nov. There is a sticker next to tire pressure sticker advising that vehicles weight caring capacity is now reduced by 290b. What do you guys/gals think.

 

See my $100 lift build in signature it may give you some idea. There is in expensive ways to get the front lifted- but in the rear I added a spring to my pack that has worked well for me. I could have reduced the lift by pulling the overload out and just rely on the more robust spring pack for the weight- However talk to your spring company- they probably could make a sweet set up- by changing the "eye" position on the main spring and using a 4 leaf spring pack with out the over load might be able to be done with out really changing ride height with the shell on.

 

Thanx Dan, thing is - theres a pair of said HD leaf springs on CL thats pretty close to me for 150$. And I'd probably change them myself.