Hey guys I'm pretty new to the jeep scene, but i have a 99 xj with a 3 inch lift but wanna upgrade to the 4.5 inch lift, i was wondering if it would be easier and cheaper just to get new rear shackles/leaf packs for the rear and 2 inch coil spacers for the front, or just buy the 4.5 inch kit?

What does your current lift consist of now. Alot of 4.5" lifts are really a 3.5" lift with Spacers and shackle added. What you have now will go a long way to helping decide what you need. I don't mean brand, I mean parts used.

I'm pretty sure the front has the rough country 3 inch coils, lower control arms, steering stabilizer, and sway bar drop brackets, for the rear it's the just the add-a-leaf

Just be aware you're heading into the range where bump steer starts to become very pronounced.

Not a problem, just a nuisance if it's a DD.

Kent

what do you mean by bump steering?

Bump steer is what happens when you hit a bump and the jeep will somtimes jerk to the left or right.

the most common remedy for it is an upgraded steering stabalizer

ah alright thanks...but back to the original question...can anyone tell me what they would do, whether it be buying the whole new 4.5 inch kit or just adding the spacers and new leaf packs on top of the 3 inch kit?

JMO, but i would just get the spacers and shackles. most kits that are 4.5 consist of those parts already, plus the shackle will turn up your pinion angle a little and help with driveline vibrations, but you will need to start investing in SYE kits and/or T-case drop kit.

ok....and if i went with shackles and spacers would i need to buy longer control arms as well?

does anyone have any pics of how the 3in lift with 2in spacers look?

And where/how did you determine this?

Bump steer has nothing to do with a steering stabilizer. It's related to increased angles of the control arms.

here ya go with 1.5" spacers.

thanks for posting man....and nice jeep, did u get new shackles for the back/leaf packs anything like that?

I did this same thing. Started out as a 3" pro comp, then added spacers and blocks.