Maybe I missed something---do you have a line-loc? If not, I'd get one & let the line-loc do the braking work instead of foot-braking it. Of course the trans-brake is the best answer (but they're pricey:sad7:) I'm just thinking the suspension is aaaaallmost there, but the technique & driveline combo needs to be "right" first.
Not meaning to be crticial or sound like an a$$, but it sounds like suspension is only about 1/4 of the "dilemma"...........