First let me say that this site is amazing! The Guys and Gals here are so helpful!

Background

I have a 94 ZJ going on 3 years now. I became a Jeep fanatic about that time. I am a 33 year old family man and I'm in College full time to obtain my Special Education Degree. I am also a High School Football Coach. Why is this relevant to my question? I wanted to let you know my situation and my lack of funds. I am BROKE!

What I want to do.

I want to lift my Jeep so bad! I have never had a Vehicle I could be proud of and now I do. Its not the best looking Jeep, but I love it. As of now I would like a 2-3 inch lift. The reason for this is money. I cant afford anything bigger and if I could afford bigger I couldn't afford the tires to make it look decent. With the tires I have on right now a 2-3 inch lift would look pretty good IMO.

Options

1. I could try this?

http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/susp/frt_bck_swap/

I have heard about this EVERYWHERE! Seems like a cheap way to go. The problem is I am not a mechanic. I know nothing. The most I have ever done on any of my vehicles is change the oil, battery, and/or the Alternator. I have "Help" doing this so I know I can do it with my buddies, but makes me worried to do something like this and haul my family around in the Jeep. Not sure what's the worst that can happen, but I don't want to find out either.

Can I do this in a safe way with the help of some friends that know what their doing for the most part?

2. I stumbled upon these

http://store.fatbobsgarage.com/_jeep...998-p7506.aspx

I will have the same help with this option as well. Seems kind of generic, but I am really just going for looks at this time due to my money situation.

Your Thoughts or other suggestions

My purpose for the lift is strictly cosmetic. I know how real Jeep enthusiast feel about this, but I have no other option at this point in time. In the future I would like to throw 33's on my Jeep and eventually make it a trial rig and buy another Jeep as my DD. So, you know my situation and what I am looking to achieve. Should I go with the swap option #1 or buy option #2 OR any other thoughts? Thank you for your time and knowledge it is greatly appreciated!

A good kit to buy is the 4ough country 3.5 budget kit cheap and easy to install plus has decent aftermarket LCA

This one?

http://roughcountry.com/jeep_zj_3.html

That's kind of pricey for me right now. I was hoping to stay around the $200 mark for now. I will be in a position to spend more $ within 2 years, but for now I'm just trying to go as cheap as possible and then in 2 years or less spend some more, get a bigger and better lift and some 33's or 35's. My 2 main concerns right now are safety (since this is my DD) and price.

If I find a cheap a@# way to lift it safely and then in 2 years redo it I am OK with that.

Is it possible to stay in the $200 range and safely lift my Jeep?

If not, I will have to wait and go ***** to the wall when my financial situation improves! I know the logical decision is to wait 2 years and do it right, but I am impatient and if I can find a way to do it now then I REALLY want to.

To even come up with $200 will most likely take me to the end of summer. For some reason my son has to eat EVERY DAMN DAY! lol

The cheapest way to lift the zj is do a F-B spring swap then throw some 2" rubicon spacers its cheap safe and can still be a DD

You can do a front to rear swap buying new front coils 3.5 or 4.5 inches and now shocks. cost around 300 bucks then you just need rims and tires.

You guys are talking about this correct?

http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/susp/frt_bck_swap/

that will be the cheapest way to go and it works good from what i heard and seen

Hey -- if you were in the San Diego/Oceanside area I would help you !!!
In the mid 80's I was getting my degree in Special Education and there were NOT any jobs. I also coached high school baseball for one year when most of extra income was spent getting supplies, gear and equipment for our baseball program -- never did get any reimbursement for it !
I know your pain ... I am also looking for a QUALITY 2-3 max lift kit for
my newly purchased 2000 4WD Cherokee XJ.
Later, Randy

I got my lift kit off Ebay. I put a budget lift on my 96zj. It only cost me sixty bucks. If you only going a couple inches you don't even have to replace your shocks. I lifted mine 2.25"and the factory shocks are holding just fine.

Go to a junkyard and find a zj with upcountry. You can use the coil springs from it and throw some 2 inch pucks on for an easy 2.5-3 inches

NX2. I just got into zjs loved my old xj but same concept. I have not ever done the front to back swap but should be golden on that and i have ran 1.75" spacers on the front of my xj for years as a dd no problem. Just keep all sway bars on and you will be good. Thats how I will do mine when i can.