Chuck, your off to a good start by being here and asking questions. But get this book here;
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/161325...sr=8-1&pi=SL75

It's a damn good start for you.

 

I got that book for Christmas! I've read a lot but I never read anything about having a new driveshaft put in

 

It's in there. He explains about the hackntap style shaft.

 

Hack n tap is a type of slip yoke eliminator. Check out Ironrock Offroad. There is a Jeep in Twain Harte, not sure how far from you, partying out a cherokee. Has complete long arm suspension, sye. If the post is still up, I call. Can't lose! I once called on a 3 week old post, usually they forget to delete, but this guy still had what I was looking for.

 

Thanks for the help bros!

 

And yeah I never heard of Twain Harte I'm always on Craigslist seeing if there's in Cherokees being parted out but haven't had luck

 

Dana 35- bad
Chrysler 8.25- good
Dana 40 series- good
Big tires+dana35- bad
Pink jeep- bad
Wranglers- bad(Barbie drove a wrangler)
Stock LCA and UCA- not so bad, but get new ones
Body stiffeners- good
Winch bumper- good
Squirt gun window- good

It'll take time, but these things don't come quick! Research research research! Do a 2-3" budget lift like I did and see how you like it, don't jump straigh for the big lifts yet

 

Hahaha Barbie drove Wrangler that's funny **** haha. And yeah I know I like the feeling of the 3in lift I drove one of my friends and it was awesome!

 

http://goldcountry.craigslist.org/pts/3519648967.html

check it out

 

There is always things you could or should do when doing 4.5 lift and 33s. (If you get 32's you will regret it and you will have to trim for either one so might as well get 33s). Ideally for 4.5 with 33s you should get a bunch of stuff: upgrade steering, double shear track bar, regear the axles to 4.56 gears and the list goes on and on. But getting by with 4.5 and 33s with an addition of hack n tap SYE and a double shear track bar is perfectly fine for most people with a budget in mind (especially since you have a high pinion dana 30 and a 29 spline 8.25 axles. I am on 4.5 with 33s and the Jeep gets wheeled hard and everything is AOK so far. Oh and if that kit you want comes with a full 4.5in leafpack, do not get it. Call them and swap it for a 3in pack with extended shackles. RC 4.5in pack is too short and not worth crap. Here is a few pics of my Jeep on the same axles as you have. More in my album.

 

Jesus Christ this thread is full of ****. Keep the Dana 30 and the 8.25. Hunting down a Dana44 rear is pointless..it isn't a whole lot better than the 8.25.. If you want a decent upgrade go for a ford 8.8. But you'll have to do some welding for new spring perches...etc.. Axle swaps seem a bit ahead of where your at.

You say your going for a rough country 4.5" lift...why? Have you not read the countless threads here about how much rough country sucks? There are much better options for just a tad more money.

If your on the fence of 32s or 33s it's a toss up.. If you plan on wheeling then your going to want to cut your fenders with either size. With 33s you'll notice a bit more of a loss in performance. Your stock steering may need some attention with 33s..
Someone In the thread mentioned buying a drop pitman arm for 4.5"... Totally wrong. You shouldn't need a drop pitman till your over 6 inches..and seldom then do you need one.

 

you will def need to trim for either tire.
I'm a mall crawler as u can see by the 15x10 aluminum rims.
pitman is not needed until 6 or so. I have RC and IRO mix. I can't say how good it is offroad but its still breaking in and rides rough on the road. Well maybe not somuch rough as it is a firm bounce.

But i love the way it rides. I also have a comp truck, so i only put a few miles on her on the weekends.

If your gonna keep you stock flares you are gonna have to go higher for 32s or 33s or trim.

mine with 4.5 and 33s

 

So how many inches did you gain in the back? Do you AAL's or did you get a full leaf pack?

 

Definitely 33's!

 

I might be going with 33's since everyone is telling me 33's! So what will I have to do with my steering? I already know to get a steering stabilizer though