Since you removed this part:
That would be an assumption since some 35s like mine have a higher load rating than the avg HD pickup would have especially over OEM. My 285/75R18 (basically 35”) are 4080LBS per tire load rating (129 load index) where the OEM and most others 3638LBS (125 load index) so a larger tire may not be a floatation tire and have a higher rating than you think.
1) To be correct, you don't actually have 35" flotation tires. You have 35" tall metric LT tires on your truck.
2) Load rating is not the singular factor determining how a tire drives/tracks. I didn't question load rating. Load rating is not a force vs displacement coefficient.
OP noted 35" tires and I thought I noticed a 35xXX.XR20LT flotation designation in post #13. That said, the photo isn't great, I could be mistaken. If it's an LT-Metric size, then the following is irrelevant. But I'm pretty sure that photo shows a flotation designation, so it was in fact, not an assumption.
My source information is dated, as he (my father) retired from the tire plant 8 years ago...but at that time, a particular tire (BFG K02 to be specific) had differing construction in flotation designated sizes vs the otherwise equivalent metric size. Same name, same tread pattern, same diameter. The "flotation" sizes used construction intended to better distribute load across a larger contact patch (for off road traction) resulting in different driving character (generally less desirable) on road. Flotation tires were not just a different system of measurement but for that particular brand/product, indicated different end goals leading to a different method of construction.
And while I don't have firsthand knowledge about Nitto's designs, I know of one example in the last decade that illustrates the difference. Not all tires of a given diameter are intended to handle the same. Flotation vs LT-metric is one indication, ergo, my suggestion vis-a-vis tires...which has very little to do with rated load capacity.
your assumption that less bushings make a 3500 better is skewed the location of the factory coils vs the Leafs creates the biggest issue that aftermarket air bags help correct.
The principle is fewer parts with flex means less flex. Other factors being equal, the flex is additive WRT axle-vs-frame position. Ten bushings that all need to show up to work.
If the assertion is that wider placement is better then sure. Very few airbag kits are outboard and only some of those are separately plumbed.
Newer semi trucks ride and preform way better since ditching leaf springs and going to 4link and airbag systems. I get that that is obviously a larger scale but it still proves a point that the 4 link is not the issue.
If designed for the job, sure. The 4 link in your truck was designed to be 6k rawr. I wasn't pointing to all 4-links. I was pointing specifically to the 4-link in a ram 2500, which was designed within a performance envelope (as all things are.) Ram has yet to implement 4-link above 3/4 ton (6k rawr). I've got one guess why.
Flexy tires, flexy suspension, heavy load, riding on sumo flexy bumpstops...giant 5er with billboard windsail surfaces. 2500 apologists unite.