I currently have the stock shocks with lowering blocks but I have had 3 or 4 of those shocks break on me.  Tommy mentioned that could be due to the angle being changed using those lowering blocks and/or the fact that the shocks are 40 years old.  I had thought about getting good shocks and still using lowering blocks but was skeptical if it would be a good idea or if it would affect how the shocks work and cause extra stress at the different angle?   The perfect shock in my mind would be 11" progressive wound springs with a load rating between generic shorty shocks and Tommys Harley kit.  But I can not find anything like that.    I am also going to slide the forks up in the trees once I get the rear lowered.