Over-Axle Conversion?

All good stuff. Thanks guys! I was more or less just thinking out loud...trying to get a different perspective.

I'll check the junkyard for shock overload springs. I guess the best way to do that would be to jack the rear up so the shocks are fully extended before I clamp them on?

If I can't locate any of them, I'll look into that Explorer kit. I appreciate the input.