Finally got my hands on a company truck(GMC 3500 Van) so now the Dodge is on weekend duty only. I can't be happier with that. Anyhow - I'm looking for ideas to give my truck a better ride for the odd weekend off-road adventure. I'm not doing trails, it is usually forest service roads with only some difficult sections. We have some steep, rutted, sections.

I have lousy tires that need replacing and the shocks will have to go too. I'm not interesred in lifting it at all(u/g parking). So without a typical off-road lift kit can I still get a good off-road ride with stock height springs. Or will changing tires and shocks give all the improvements? Who makes springs for my truck?

BTW, auto-trans, will it overheat on those slow, steep, 4lo sections?
It is ok under normal 'street' conditions and has only 'chattered' once when I had a big load and my foot on the floor.

Any help is great.