If I do go with res shocks, would it defeat the purpose with only buying them up front? On my duramax I had 2 Fox res shocks up front on each side and single in the rear. The lift was on the truck when I bought it. It was amazing and now I regret selling that truck.

 

It rarely rubs in the front, one of the tires has to be fully stuffed to the max. But the tire barely skims the inner splash guard which is cut down, a couple of bolts holding it in place and 1 zip tie holding the lower portion of it to the body mount. So the rubbing isn't any problem at all. Plus rear doesn't rub

 

My front can just barely rub the stock front bumper at full stuff. The rear was just kissing the cap on the rock rails as well. Last weekend I trimmed the rock rails and pich seam 1.5", have lots of room in the rear now.

 

Make the stock front bumper into a stubby and all your problems will be solved......and it will be free, which is the best part

 

As long as the valving is the same there will be no affect running a combination of res and non res shocks. The res has absolutely nothing to do with the ride quality, it just holds more oil for the shock to keep them cooler. The valving is what gives you the ride characteristics.
This thread might help you a little. Not real technical but easy to read and understand.
A simple guide to shocks

 

LOL, I came from a 60,000 mile oem rubi shock. Kings ride better than the trashing I use to get Haven't had them out in the desert, but cruised through some stuff up at Rowher Flat that used to give me a pretty hard ride.

Thinking desert will be the best test