The money saving way to go is to run the Deutchtech shocks good units nd inexpensive , the best route is the RE monotubes, I switched to them and have never looked back !!!

 

For shocks on a budget I would go with re twintubes over the DT's but thats my opinion.

 

If money is not really an option I hear alot of great stuff about old man emu. Me i am sitting on RC shocks all 4 for 50 bucks. woo hoo

 

OUCH!!!! Those things certainly put the ROUGH in RC.......

 

id have to disagree with kyle on thoise twin tubes, i HATE them i think theyre terrible, theyre great offroad offer a lot of stability and keep the jeep running straight but on the road they are just way to stiff. OMEs are amazing schocks but you'll be paying about $300 for a set, but its worth it. As for hte lift, id say go for a 3.5" lift and 31s.
-tires are cheaper
-lesser chance of death wobble
-better gas mileage
-lifts are cheaper at 3" height (less parts to replace)
-done need a $600 Slip Yoke Eliminator or CV driveshaft mod
-dont have to worry about upgrading axle shafts
-dont have to re-gear it
-transmission will be less likely to act up

Again, all this is at the cost of the LOOKS of your jeep. Honestly, ive gone most places in my last stock grand cherokee on 30" all terrains that I have in my 4.5" RE lifted ($1200 right there) snorkled & winched cherokee on 32" mud terrains. Is it more capable? Absolutely. But Jeeps are highly capable vehicles from the factory, and 3" of lift and 31" all terrains will make it that much more. But it wont be a whole lot to look at, if you dont care about that then go for it.

As for engines, they last FOREVER. the 4.0 is an amazing engine, get a manual and youll have a AX15 trans which is another bulletproof piece (made by Aisin, using in toyota pickups they hold up well). Ive never heard about this oil pump problem and ive never really had any over heating issues, but Id say look for under 150k miles and make sure its had its oil changes. Rear main seals like to go on XJs theyre a $600 job so try to see if thats been changed.

Other than that thats all i got, STAY AWAY FROM ADD A LEAFS you will regret it if you buy them. As for lifts rubicon express is amazing. a 3.5" super-ride will do you just fine...

And dude, ive got to say it... "have to" is not spelled "haft to"

 

Yes they are a stiffer ride on road, but hey its a jeep

 

Hey beast, "shocks" is spelled wrong and "the" is spelled wrong and I think you meant "don't need a slip yoke eliminator" not done need .....
It's my job is says so right under my screen name.

 

"is says so"? haha this is fun, well i guess theres a difference between not knowing how to spell a word and just being simply too lazy to fix it -as i am

 

wow thanks for all the feedback this really helps. Speaking of gas mileage if anyone has a 3.5" lift and 31's and no engine mods what do you get?

 

Well I have exactly those mods and get around 16 in town and 18-20 on the highway but I used to get 18 in town and 22-23 on the highway before the lift and tires.

 

Just funnin ya. spell stuff any way you like as long as we can figger 'er out...'sokay wid me.
Blue

 

hmm 16 city that aint to bad i was expecting much worse so thats a plus considering how expensive gas is getting.