This is probably all well known to you already, but in case someone else isn't aware, Eaton makes a material for using between the leaves, shown being used
HERE:
Skyjacker makes teflon replacement leaf spring wear pads.
Along w/clean, smooth spring surfaces and smooth-acting spring mounts and/or shackles along w/the removal of a leaf should help to tame the ride some, if the OEM parts were going to be reused.