Has anyone swapped out the leafs for the control arms? Would that offer mar articulation or would there be more cons

 

At that point
It is easier to link it with a triangulated 4 link

 

Do you mean something like THIS that has a rear coil conversion?

 

yes, that clayton kit would be the way to go if you wanna do a coil conversion. These leaves will flex alot more than you think though if you use flatter leaves, and shackle relocation brackets to get the correct shackle angle. Get the rest of your desired lift in the rear with longer shackles. Add some longer shocks, and a longer break line and you might think you had coils in the back.