Great looking Jeep, even though I would have used different colors LOL. IMO lifts are nice if you see a lot of mud, but I've found out from experience that even a fullsize truck will go just about anywhere with no lift and 31" tires - deep mud is the only place it'll have trouble. I don't think I'd go higher than 33" on a Jeep and 36" on a fullsize if I wanted to be able to do anything at crazy angles.
It's funny how you mention the Carter BBD - I've owned 4 318-equipped Dodge trucks that had the BBD, and they NEVER gave me any problems. I'd have those trucks at angles so crazy that I had a point in the seat (had to hammer them flat when I got level again), yet those carbs never stuttered, flooded, burped, or anything. The only problem I ever had with one was a bad (ripped) accelerator pump diaphragm on a 77 W200 I had in Germany. I love 'em!
I have my own project in the works right now - swapping a 5.5L Volvo TD60 diesel into my '85 K10 w/6.2L. Tranny will most likely be an NVG4500, but if I can find an NVG5600 for the nice price I'll use it (my current SM465 is also an option, with a Gear Vendors overdrive.) It should be interesting to blow by guys in Cummins and Powerstrokes in my "diesel Chevy" and see them scratching their heads when they can't catch up LOL