I know California is strict regarding some vehicle laws, but when it comes to trucks we can lift them pretty high before we run into legal issues.
I don't think an 8" lift would look bad at all with 35s, as long as the 35s are as wide as possible and protrude outward from the fenders quite some distance. I am currently on 35s and a 6" lift, but I will be adding coil-overs and getting another inch or two just for the fender gap. Bear in mind that I am from Cali, so my taste in trucks is likely different than the rest of the country's.