One thing I'd check for sure are the dog bone bushings. Bad bushings can lead to a more unstable ride and can allow the dog bones to pop off when the axles articulate. That's one plus side to a bobbed deuce, no dog bone bushings to worry about. To replace a full set on the deuce is about $12-1300ish and it's probably one of the more harder jobs to do on the deuce. I don't think a deuce is a bad option, I mean we've seen many that has been used in fire departments and in the forest service successfully, but some other model trucks like previously mentioned by others won't have some of the limitations that the deuce has and requires less maintenance over all, but like anything, there's pros and cons to what fits your needs. To find a deuce in great shape, it can take a while, but if you're willing to spend the money, if you're thinking of Boyce equipment or whoever, then it's worth it if they go through every part of that truck with a fine tooth comb, meaning all new gaskets, all new seals, fresh fluids all around, new dog bone bushings, brakes, rebuilt air pack and MC, being a duel circuit is an added bonus. Power steering may not seem important, but if you're going down service roads or forest roads, the first time you need to quickly turn around on a narrow stretch, you'll wish you had the power steering, or the first time you go down a road that has deep ruts and a front tire catches one, causing the steering wheel to rip from your grip, better hope your thumbs are on the outside and not on the inside or you won't have thumbs for the rest of the day, so that's something to consider.
Tires imo are mostly just preference. That said, here's my take.395's are great tires and a good size for comfortable cruising speeds at 55mph, top speed around 67-68mph. Good weight rating, can be used in conjunction with run flats. Between the two common models of Goodyear and Michelin tires, both offer great traction on and off the road in mud, snow, rain, and wet pavement. The cons are they are expensive brand new, very heavy around 3-500lbs per tire with the rim and all. Yes it's harder on the drivetrain and adds weight to the vehicle thus more weight to stop so will increase brake wear but if you're smart and use the engine, defensive driving, and distance, you can really get away with barely using the brakes.
I have no experience with any kind of 11.00x20 tires.
Only experience I have with 9.00x20 tires are with the NDT tires. Those you're looking at 45mph cruising speeds and 56 mph top speed. These suck on and off road. They do much better if you get them cut with grooves in the treads which will help but still not much. Scary in snow, on wet pavement, good on gravel and light mud, not very good going up rocky hills/slopes. One plus is that these are cheap tires. Another bonus is you can use the snowchains which does in fact add a great deal of traction but still limited in terms of performance off-road in muddy conditions. If wanting to run the 9.00x20 or 11.00x20 size tire, I suggest something that has a tread pattern.