You're projecting, amigo. Most of us are secure enough in our manhood to drive anything, we don't need to jack our trucks up to prove that we aren't closet pole puffers.
I think you'll like it with a 2/4 drop. It's not really enough to cause problems with clearance and probably most people wouldn't even know that you did it. If it were me I'd do the springs you like and use the drop spindle.
I have a vague recollection of some problem with my tail lights on my 86 and I would know they were out if the instrument cluster lights were out. Could have been a different car or truck though, I'm old.
How low is your front? Mine is 6" lower with a 29" tire and I was sitting right on the inner fender so I had to remove them. Slosh Tubz would work but you do have to cut some of the inner fender structure out to install them if you end having to go that route.
I used a Switch rear kit on mine and still needed to come down a couple degrees. I think they just get close on those angles and hope it works. Shimming the trans up a little shouldn't be too big a deal.
https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/lets-entertain-something-for-a-moment-big-block-in-a-c10-lifted-lowered-hate-lol.30825/page-7#post-746803
Look at this thread, I just posted what I used on my truck with some pictures.
Maybe swap the pads from the drivers side to see if it still fits incorrectly? I may be a bit jaded but I am always suspicious of new parts being manufactured correctly.