Removing the tubs involves a lot of welding, no? So if you're willing to do all that welding to start, why not go with the spring relocation kit? You'll get 12" tire in there. Especially if one day you're going to put ladder bars in.
My original idea was similar to yours in that I didn't want to get into all the fab work of mini tubs and a spring relocation kit, but it sounds like you went ahead and did it anyway. IMO, the last amount of fab work would involve offset shackles. The only downside is that they net only another .8" clearance. The only fab work is removing the old spring perches and welding new ones in slightly inboard. I think I can get a 275/60/15 in the stock wheel well using the offset shackles and springs arched slightly over stock without mini tubs. IMO, the only issue should be the height at 28". The width should be no problem.
