Just thought of another point to throw at you rookie...

Gearing down does not mean pushing the clutch peddle, shifting to neutral, and standing on the brakes. :p

What you have is a 3 speed w/ reduction...Low,1,2,3 as you know.

All joking aside, if you are "just" getting that thing to move in 1st,
without using bull low, taller tires are going to slaughter any drivability unless you change gear ratios.

I'd recommend 4.56:1, since a 4x4 makes more use of bottom end torque anyway, and you don't want 100MPH in a lifted vehicle.

There's a guy rolling around here on 44" 's, and he has 5.13 gears. (I think he said that or 5.18? Either way, the lowest gear set I've ever heard of.)
The truck drives like a stock vehicle...doesn't even notice those monster mudders. It's a 4 speed auto though, so the O/D helps him.

I have 3.73 right now(lower then stock) and I am planning either 4.11 or 4.56. And yes I have the L,1,2,3 tranny but I just called L 1st. And I found I do have to start out in 1st on hills and when I have to turn. Going straight on flat land or a downhill or turning and going downhill I can start in 2nd :). I just start in 1st always and don't even bother thinking about second. I am getting better at it now. Only stalled it 3 times tonight as compared to like 20 this afternoon. Yeah when I put 35" tires on I will go with lower gearing. I had a 4.56 set for the rear but i sold them to a buddy who was doing the samething. Oh well.