Did you ever decide what to do about your leveling and shock replacement dilemma? I am also in the same boat where I am thinking of installing a Hell Bent Steel 2.5" Leveling kit. My questions are the same:

1) Would it be better to go with the Bilstein 5100s instead of a spacer lift?
2) If I go with the HBS spacer, is it a good idea to replace the struts/shocks at the same time?

 

I found some leveling springs for cheap that work with stock height shocks... the rule of thumb I was told was for 3" or less of lift you're fine with stock shocks. I'll probably throw on some mid-grade monroe's or something once I get done with my idle problems