Lockers are the way to go for sure. Keeping the tires on the trail helps too. But on a side note, a winch is also needed. It's not fun digging for hours to get a locked vehicle unstuck. Just my .02.
Do you loose a lot of wrenches? Leaving them on the shackles is a good way to do that. lol
The shock didn't really look broke, but more like it unthreaded itself. Don't understand how but schtuff happens. How do you like the Bilstein ride?
I know I comparing apples to oranges. I had an 89 Xcab Toy 4x4 that was stock with 32s and I took that truck everywhere. IMO, I would save the money and spend it on overland gear and recovery gear. Hi-lift jack and/or winch will save your butt many times over. I'm not to sure which trucks...