I'm designing a Warforged character for a new 3.5 campaign I'm playing in. I'm looking at going the 'sword and board' route to maximize my AC, as I'll be the party's tank. Fighter is the main class I'm looking at, with no prestige class in mind. I've already rolled attributes with the DMs approval. I had 17, 17, 17, 14, 12, 8.

I came across two of the Warforged "Body Feats" that would work for this character:

1) Mithril Body Feat (5) + Large Shield (2) + Dex 17 (3) would give an AC of 20.

-This would let me retain the 30ft base movement.The +3 AC bonus from Dex is that maximum that Mithril Body allows.

2) Adamantine Body Feat (8) + Large Shield (2) + Dex 13 (1) would give an AC of 21 and DR 2/Adamantine.

-I really like the DR at first level, but the slow movement(20ft) and other skill penalties seems to really hurt.

The other option that I'm looking at is either dipping into or matching advancement in the Artificer class. I'm concerned about being able to receive enough healing because healing effects only heal half as much to warforged. I also don't want to take healing away from other party members, because I need twice as much. Taking levels in artificer lets me heal myself without worrying about that, due to the Repair cycle of spells.

A couple of questions from there:

1) What's the best route for a Warforged tank? Do I go out full-out tank with Adamantine Body or do I take Mithril Body and take artificer levels for healing/support?

2) If I do decide to take levels in Artificer, do I take it at first level to have access to the healing right away, or do I take the first level in fighter and hope to survive to second level?