if this is a trail rig your gonna want some big tires. 35's or bigger. Id put on about a 4.5 inch lift then trim a **** load. lockers and high clearance bumpers with winch. then you will be able to do anything moad can throw at you... maybe haha

 

I run 35's with 5.5" of lift and fender trimming. No SYE or X-fer case drop and no problems or vibrations. The 3" and 31's sound good, that's where I started and then 33's and now 35's. It'll be fine for now and you'll love it, then the more into it you get, the more your vehicle will progress.

 

I installed a SYE kit from MIT:http://www.mit4x4.com/I found their ad in JP magazine in 2003. I also have a 89 with the 242 Xfer case. I rented a lift on base and installed it myself. Took me all day but I did it. I drove around for a week on front wheel drive until I got my drive shaft from Tom Woods.http://www.4xshaft.com/index.html
No hack and tap. The kit came with a new shaft, fixed yoke and output housing.

 

Iron Rock Offroad has a hack-n-tap for $200 or I'll sell you one for $125 for the NP242

 

So Im thinking I am going to go with a 4.5 with t-case drop and just cut out fenders. Maybe runs some 33's or 34's. I don't really want to hassle with a hack and tap or SYE. plus the t-case drop is more affordable.

 

great place to start!!

 

Just to let you in on a secret. Jeeps can go all over just being stock. Just to save you some time and a little extra cash, SAVE YOUR MONEY until you can afford atleast a 6.5" lift with 35" tires and all the lil things like sye and tdrops. Quick disconnects. Seriously owning a Jeep is like gettin' a tattoo, you humor the idea and get something little. Then you want more.......

 

3in lift and cut the hell out of your fenders and run 32s or 33s with the right bump stops. I'm a low cog guy. If I were to do it all over again from stock clayton long arms with like 4inchs or lift and 33s is a near perfect set up for an XJ

 

You will really like a 4.5" lift. I would highly recommend a quality trackbar with the lift, if the kit doesn't include one. I have seen here online that some Rusty's trackbars fail. Trim the front fenders, cut and fold the rears, and slap on some 33s. You won't be disappointed.

 

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merch...egory_Code=XSP