Beware. Long post (rant?) ahead.
I came from the crazy insane offroad thing locker's big dana axles big tires winches and used them all. I was an original poster/member of pirate4x4's forum and know a little about drivetrains. Granted my application was for a different purpose than towing for extended periods of time. Solid front axles are horrid on the pavement but the only way to go on the road. I personally have a chevy 1500 w/ towing pkg (non HD) and will not lift my truck, will not do tire and wheel package, will not regear the factory 4.10's, will not buy another size tire for it other than what came from the factory. I know I sound like a 90 year old man but the engineers who build these trucks do so for the long haul *gratuitous pun intended. As far as I know the 4x fords still have the solid front axle which will ride like absolute crap comparatively (IMO) to IFS. Drivetrain aside I would do IFS 4wd if you're not going to 'wheel a lot. On the flipside you say you want to lift it (see below) go ford. They are cheap and easy to lift and look like crap if you don't (IMO). As for the other aspects you're on your own I don't know enough to comment.
Tim's last post about non-lifted towing better is correct. With less rotational mass to stop spinning being the larger, heavier wheels and added mass of rubber. It will accelerate and stop quicker. Final drive ratios will likely be lower unless corrected (~$3k) or beyond I believe with the ford dana/sterling you can go 5.13+? when you do this the pinion gear gets smaller and in theory is more prone to twisting off under super loads. The added rubber gives more surface area not only sides but front to back on the footprint adding to the loads on the driveline which the factory didn't design the truck for. As well as higher center of gravity say you have a blowout and steering becomes a concern will this affect the higher CoG of the truck and it's handling abilities? Absolutely. Also know the aspect ratio of the tire will be substantially taller and will be a loooong fall at speeds from say 40psi to 0 in no time. Pure towrigs are 18wheelers and the like don't have lift kits for a reason they add tires for safety redundancy as well as traction. They are typically on 3 piece stamped steel wheels and have no style whatsoever but do what they do their jobs extremely well. In a pure utopia everyone who towed would have a dually long bed quad cab and don't have to worry parking @ the local grocery store. Also Mudflaps...
http://www.800-923-jeep.com/techCorner/lift_laws.cfm Hideous monstrosity made to counteract the cool factor of a lift. Luckily my jeep was classified as a station wagon and Az doesn't have station wagon mudflap laws yet
In conclusion. While I don't think its optimal in all practical situations to lift a towrig... Although it can define badass by a simple glance. Also if all you tow is a 4,000lbs boat with a truck rated for 15k what the hell it can easily be crippled a few thousand pounds and still perform like the rotund monster it was designed to be. Just don't expect to pull that fifth wheel trailer or gooseneck car hauler like it would stock.
This is not a judgement against you or your thoughts feelings or taste whatsoever. I am NOT implying you DON'T already know this information. I just rant about this as often as possible because I came from the offroad world and know a lot of states place silly restrictions on vehicles because of irresponsible owners (again not implying anything).