"Problem with stepping up to thicker torsion bars is you have to find that balance again with the rear leafs and have matching shocks to compensate. More money down the drain."

I wouldn't make to many changes right now, until you make the tire upgrade, unless collecting switched out parts is the objective. I'm too lazy to go out and test for myself, how much qa1 adjustability can be felt by simply low speed bouncing the car at rest as per the OP's observation of an installed shock. I do know how a stiffer spring/TB will react to the same test. Tire scrub distorts the observation however.

Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.