2001 GMC 1500 ex cab build (need help)?

2001 2wd GMC Sierra 1500 Ex. Cab 5.3L 4L60E Its getting lifted. I plan a Fabtech 7.5" Kit and a 3" Body lift. 38" all terrains. I know everybody is gonna say dumb idea for lifting a 2wd, but I got a Yukon on 39.5s so hints why this is a 2wd pavement pounder. here a couple things i have in mind: AEM intake, Superchips Cortex Programmer, B%26amp;M shift kit, added trans cooler, electric fans, and a couple other things the trans cooler and fans are foor reliability as i run from texas to mississippi quite often. but I need help on should i do the fans and cooler, gear choice 4.56 or 4.88, it will have straight exhaust from the cats back, and anything that would help with mileage( im not expecting magnificent mileage but just more than like 14MPG. and any more performance upgrades that should be addressed or any issues that need to be addressed. any pointers, suggestion, tips just help in general would be appreciated.2001 GMC 1500 ex cab build (need help)?
If your just gonna stay on the road and be road tripping a lot, and want good gas mileage, the higher the gear the better. You still need enough gear to turn the big tires but if ya go with 4:88's you will be great stop light to stop light, but top end and highway cruising are gonna disappoint you. Even with the 4L60E's overdrive, your RPMs will be higher, thus wasting more gas. Truck pry has 3:73 or 3:08's now, 4:11's would turn the tires good on the highway, and the shift kit will take up a lil of the slack stop light to stop light. And you should be able to run 70mph (the average national speed limit) without the truck in overdrive and maintaining under 2500 rpms. (having to turn taller gears and move all that rotating mass of a big tire is real hard on the overdrive in the 700R4 and 4L60E, its usually recommended to try and stay out of overdrive,) you will be able to tell once ya get out and drive it and how often it needs to kickdown out of overdrive when yer just cruisin along weather or not it is economical and capable of handling the load. The Trans cooler will help keep the heat ( the biggest killer of trans) down in the tranny since it will constantly be gettin a workout. An aftermarket transmission temp Gauge would be nice too. a Flex fan or electric fans will move more air, just look at the specs to see how much mcf they can push or pull, An MSD ignition system, or any other aftermarket ignition that allows for hotter and better ignition spark helps out all around too, with HP and mileage. All the lil add ons like cold air intake and the programmer will add lil HP gains, shorty headers and fuel injection upgrade would add more. Sounds like ya gonna have a sweet ride, enjoy, keep the shiney side up.