Wow, never thought this thread would get so many responses!
I haven't been back here in a bit, mostly been spending my time over on a silverado forum reading up on ppls experience with different lift/level kits and tire size and combinations.
There is a LOT to read up on!!!
Like P Nut said, my thought has always been to not let your stock ride keep you from going out and explore. EXPERIENCE counts way more than vehicle capabilities. Visiting rural areas in Mexico, I have seen beat up old chevys and fords with basically slicks (tires were so worn down) fording rivers, going up steep inclines in rain and mud, and just going all over the place, never you mind the road conditions.
So get out there and enjoy, take your vehicle in whatever shape its in and have fun. Just don't forget your common sense at the house.
As for my truck, well it's still stock and in need of tires. I wanted to be able to get some 33's on the stock wheels but the expense of fitting them in the right way seems a bit too much. I mean really, the stock tires are 31.5"; going to 33's will only really give me an added 3/4" extra clearance. Is it really worth it???
I don't know, maybe I'll just leave well enough alone, and get some KO2's in a 265/65R18 and call it a day.
Then again, 33's on a 2.25" level kit do look really nice!!!