Many people put way too much value in the capabilties of what a factory "offroad package" is capabale of.
You have the "Z71" package.
What does that include?
Slightly stiffer springs?
Slightly better shocks?
Slightly better sway bar? (which are detrimental for offroading).
Slightly better air cleaner?
Slightly more agressive and bigger tires?
Slightly better axle ratios?
A limited slip type diff in the back?
Some skid plates added?
Maybe a different rad or an oil cooler added?
And a "Z71" badge or decal?

Most likely has the same suspension travel as a base model.
Which might have about 3 inches of upward suspension travel when at rest.

The automakers definition of offroad is to drive down a two-track road at no more than 30 miles per hour. In the daylight, sun shining, on Sunday.

Yes, you cant always predict what you will run into or over while offroad, but still those encounters can break stuff.
No matter what factory stuff is on the truck.

Just sayin, the airborne incident may have over compressed the suspension and thus something is going to break or bend.

Checkout the rubber travel stop bumbers and make sure they have not been squished so hard they are split or broken off.

 

This seems odd if it was making the noise only while turning slow because the shocks would not be turning or compressing.

On an older suspension setup anyways.
Maybe on a newer model the shock turns when the spindle turns, like a strut type shock suspension?

 

Well I wouldnt know. Problem is solved now anyway. Not sure what caused it.

 

Off-road does not mean you enter the Baja race w/ it or go rock crawling.

 

Someone from the group actually took a picture from my "jump". Considering that the sand is soft I dont think this would cause an issue in both shock absorbers...

 

I would think that this truck should handle that "so called off roading" w/o any issue at all based on your photo.

Nice truck by the way.
My 08 Sub w/ 44k on the odo has creaking noises from the front as well, and my dealer told me its normal. I drive on the beach often and have bounced a few times similar to what you've done.
Probably going to change out the OEM shocks to Bilsteins to see if that makes a difference.

 

did you spray the front suspension down with silicone sealant to keep that sand out of those joints.

 

Never thought of the need to spray down the front suspension. Never had to do a thing to the Jeeps I've had and they ran thru the sand like water.