Since I switched back to Paladin, I've been playing as 173 base strength. I decided to go with the advise of others and try 139 for the dual spec. What I found is that actually you only need 137 base strength (explanation later). In case anyone was curious here is the stat change while wearing the same gear (3/4 Fury set, rooter's gemstone battle axe).

Str: 219 (173 base) 183 (137 base)
Dex: 2 2
Int: 105 141
hit: 82% 85%
crit: 19% 18%
dodge: 25% 24%
health: 510 492
H/S: 23 23
Mana: 652 670
M/S: 26 27
Dam: 139-159 141-161
DPS: 165 167
Armor: 151 149

So the tradeoff:
+3 hit, +18 mana, +1 m/s, +2 dps in exchange for -1 crit, -1 h/s, -18 health, -1 dodge, -2 armor. Basically you could make up the stats either way with your ring selection.

Not that big of a deal... until you look at spell damage where the first range is 173 strength and the second range is 137 strength.
Lightening: 204-292 went to 207-305
Heal: 96-194 went to 102-206
Flame: 208-284 went to 215-297
Drain: 238-337 went to 245-352

I suspect this will all look a lot better when I finally get my Fury sword as that will also bump up the spell damage and make up for the armor, dodge and h/s loss. Of course that leaves out the advantage of being able to also wear end game int items.

As for how to do it with 137, the following items:
LVL 43 Scarab Blade of Osiris... req 136 Str, +8 strength.
LVL 45 Mynas Plate Mail of Osiris... req 142 str, +8 strength
LVL 45 Pharaohs shield of Osiris... req 142 str, +8 strength
LVL 51 Bodyguard's gemstone helm... req 161 str, +12 strength

Start with 137...
Equip SB of Osiris... go to 145 strength. (+8)
Now can equip MP of Osiris and PS of Osiris... go to 161 strength (+16)
Finally equip BG gemstone helm... go to 173 strength (+12).