Just to add another point. With the ready lift kit you can run stock shocks. I have the Gas Magnums just because they where new shortly before I put in the keys. Truck is very smooth, Period. If you wanna Crank your Keys good Luck with the Ride and longjevity of all your Front end Parts is all I will say on that. Its been 3 years no Problems here, Agree with the Alignement however I did not get one but also took the time to adjust, drive, re-adjust the keys until all corners where the same. My Tires have even wear. I do plan on adding Rancho 5000's to the front to match my 0-2 Lift rears..
You do realize that replacing the stock keys with aftermarket ones that are indexed, lifts the truck the exact same as if you just crank the stock keys. The only difference is that you can now crank the stock torsion bar further than the stock torsion keys will allow. Which unless you want to ride around in a brick, it's not recommended.
The ride quality comes from the torsion bar, the more it's pre-loaded the stiffer the ride will be. There is no way around that, it's physics. Increase pre-load = truck rides higher which = a stiffer ride. A stationary "lever" will not change how that torsion bar responds once it's pre-loaded.
Stock keys or aftermarket keys, you will put the same strain/wear on the front end.
I have cranked several stock torsion bars, including the ones on my friends Ram back in 2004 to level the truck. Well over 120K miles later the only suspension parts that have been replaced were the shocks.
Just something to ponder for those that are contemplating between cranking the stock keys and spending money on aftermarket ones.