[El Deez]

Recently picked up a 1997 2500 with a pretty substantial lift, 5 or 6 inches it appears. Front drive shaft is not installed, assuming because angle is too sharp. It currently needs rear shocks, would I be better off just returning it to its stock height? The lift looks like springs in front and blocks in the rear, I dont really want to offroad it, just want a reliable truck with 4x4 and some occasional towing. Dont really want to get a custom driveshaft. Do I have any other options? Returning it to stock height seems like the overall cheapest and easiest option.

also has some severe steering slop and wander

 

[brandonjansen]

The front driveshaft probably needs to be lengthened because of the lift. That's easy and cheap enough to get done.. Rear shocks are easy to replace. I'd get some Bilsteins or Fox 2.0's.
As far as steering slop and wander goes it could be a number of things. Steering box, track bar/bushings, tie rod ends, etc. That stuff will need to be replaced no matter what even if you do return everything back to stock.