A 4 inch lift will not work for me. I don't want a lifted rig I just want to gain a little more. A 6 inch and 35s would look great but it's just not practical for me. I'm on the road too much. Problem is I'm off the beaten path quite a bit too. I'm not looking for the answer I want to hear I'm looking for the answer but what I'm hearing is my options are 4 inch lift or rough ride and accelerated wear?
If you want three inches you're better off with 4 and getting away from the known issues doing it that way. There is one gentleman on this site that was so happy with his Rough Country control arm/key kit he wanted to start a class action lawsuit along with the others that were having the same issues. In my case 3 inches of cranking wasn't going to happen, and launching cups out of the drink holder trying to get there is not a joke.
This is the way it plays out, first crank stock keys trying to get 3 inches, unbearable ride, control arms/keys next, still can't get alignment correct with knockouts removed still harsh ride, next, offset control arm bushings which might or probably not result in a satisfactory alignment. Then you start asking what shocks you need to correct ride quality which there is none on the market that will correct for almost zero compression and 100% rebound due the pre-load you cranked in. In the meantime, you're blowing through cv boots one after the other. You're not the first person that has attempted this and won't be the last. Then next guy that comes along always thinks he's got it figured out and ends up in the exact same place.
If you wanted to crank the front a bit to level it and get an alignment is one thing, forget about rear blocks. But, that is not what you asked. No matter how you define what it is that you do or don't want doesn't make your plan a good one. Nobody said you need a 6 inch kit and 35's.
At the end of the day, ultimately, you'll pick your poison or re-define your wants, needs, goals, and expectations. If you do a lot of miles you might not want something that rides like a buck board.