NOOB! Needs direction

Have to start by saying thanx for all the help so far! So after totaling my beloved 03' first gen i wound up in my 05' dclb 4x4 and am at 175k. Its my DD, had it almost 4 years now and it works and plays hard all the time. The rear leafs are beat pretty good and theres a clicking in the front end that iv had 3 shops look at and all tell me nothing is wrong. Went to the stealership last week to see if they could verify if it was the cv's and after making him take it out twice i was told its all the ball joints and it would b $3100, i laughed and now have my justifaction for a lift BUT in 4wheel this week in the snow after disengaging heared and felt more of the clicking from under my feet on drivers side sounding like the cv Iv pushed and pulled on it and nothing looks wrong and all the boots are good but seeing as this has bin going on for a wile im thinking about making the front end BOMB PROOF My thoughts at first: new hubs and bearings, drive axles, 3" spacer lift, shocks, and new leaf packs. Now that the "ball joints are bad" im thinking LT??? Dont want to cut the bed. Or mid? I like the look of the 6" lift and always wanted to go up! Add UCA's it make up most of the parts in the front end but the tie rods and LCA's. LOTS OF PARTS AND KITS TO LOOK AT!!!! This is my DD and Work truck so i haul heavy loads some time and well then theres the woods and all the gear SO any help input advice or what not to do would be GREAT!!!! Know this wont be cheap but trying to do this on a budget and not all at once but with all good parts! PS. doing the work myself THANX