three suspension questions

For the strut rods, I have the RMS ones, which are basically the same functionally as the hotchkis ones. Rod end on one side. They make a big difference vs the bushings.

I have ESPO 340 springs still in mine and like the balance with the hotchkis sway bars

for the steering I'd swap to a Borgeson steering box. I have a plunge coupler (BAC) on mine but haven't had issues with them wearing out.