I want around 4.5" and I don't wanna spend a lot.

Here are the options I am considering:

4.5"Rough Country w/ full packs
3" Rough Country w/ full packs & w/1-2" spacer/ shackle kit


What do y'all think will be the best for a DD and the most cost effective?

 

Build your own kit way cheaper!!

 

I am very mechanically challenged.

 

Most of the off roading will not be extreme. Mostly through mud.

 

Both options will net about the same lift, the 4.5" will cost less, and per form better off road. For the mechanically challenged they should be equal. Either way you may also need a SYE to correct vibes and a new trackbar. For a DD with little offroad use I would stay under 3.5" of lift. At 4.5" you are getting into the range of $1000+ to be spent for a proper lift, 3.5" can be had for less than $500, less if you shop at the Junkyards

 

I have never seen a 3.5" kit other than RE which I am not willing to pay for.

How can I net 3.5"?

 

You piece it together from various manufactures and Junkyard parts. The RC 3" kit with an extra stock spring isolator and longer shackle will give 3.5". Point is that at over 3.5" there are alot more parts that you must buy. 3.5" and less, Control arms, Trackbars, SYE, Brakelines are optional NOT with higher lifts.

 

Are you saying I can go 3.5" without having to swap a lot out?

 

I wish I had your expertise. I'd love to get a lift for under $500 but I'm afraid that a home-brew lift would make for a sucky ride on the street.

s

 

For 899 RC has a 6.5" lift with UCA's/Lca's/Track bar (adjustable) full leaf packs everything you need. its gonna be hard to not spend that on a smaller lift once you buy the controll arms/Discos etc...............Best lift IMO for the money.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/84-02...Q5fAccessories

This one relocates the track bar and the brake line mounts so you dont have to buy new ones. Any one ever had any experience with this one.

 

Full traction makes a 3.5 lift for around 450. I personally went for the R.E. 3.5 Super Ride because my also is a DD and mostly sees mud. I felt it was worth it to spend the xtra money to have a good lift that was moderate and last a long time.

 

Putting a lift into a XJ is not difficult, mechanically. If you can do a simple tune-up, you have enough ability. A simple Chilton or Haynes manual can help a lot. The difficult part is the research, you need to learn what will work and doesn't. There are a bunch of companies that have kits for low dollars, I don't know of a single company that puts out a truly complete kit.
This is where the research is required. You have to learn, if I want to do X amount of lift, what is required in parts, time, tools, ability and finally how much cash can I spend. For most Cash is the limiting factor. I know everybody likes RE, so they most be good, but it costs more. Don't get hung up on the label on the package.
I have a basically Junkyard lift at 4.5" It does ride rough. I will over time upgrade it. But for me money is tight. My rig is my DD and Can't be down for more that 1 day at a time. I wheel it every weekend I can.

 

Yeah good kit for the dollars, BUT even they have $700 more in parts that are recommended to complete, SYE, Dshaft, drop brackets. Not to mention the tires. Now were talking $2000-2500 min for a 6.5" lift project.

 

This is a very good point. Staying under 3.5", or even staying more at like 3" of lift will keep you out of SYE/driveshaft territory. And you probably won't need extended brakelines, especially if it won't be wheeled all that hard. It all really comes down to the almighty dollar, if you have the cash for the RE 3.5 buy it, now! But if not, maybe RC's 3" kit with full leafs is a better fit for the budget, I have this kit and I love it. But if you are really trying to squeeze alot from a small budget, you can't beat a junkyard/DIY lift. It would only require a little bit more mechanical knowledge than is required for a standard off the shelf AAL lift kit and you could probably get 3-4" of lift with shocks for under $200. With some good research and some good JY shopping it won't ride too crappy and it'll leave you with plenty of dough left over for some nice wheels and tires! Check this article out, it's full of good info on budget lifts, even for the less mechanically inclined I don't think this is outta reach...

http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/...udget_Lift.htm

HTH!