All of our opinions are subjective, but I'd have to say for me that a 2" lift was the right choice, and strikes a great compromise for anyone that wants a slightly more aggressive look, better approach/departure/break-over angles (and straight line clearance if you fit larger diameter tires), but you still retain something close to stock handling and don't send your fuel economy into the toilet with what amounts to a 29"-30" tire.

In the thousands of threads I've read, there are plenty of people who reported difficult to cure driveline vibes and death wobble, even with just a 3"-3.5" lift. No two vehicles are the same, it seems, but there were enough reports to give me pause. However, by comparison, almost nobody reported these issues with a 2" lift, and those that did ultimately had underlying issues like bad ball joints/tie-rods/etc. I didn't have the budget or desire to spend a couple grand on a lift and associated fixes like shims/SYE/adjustable track bar.

My 2" coil spacers and 2" full leaf packs from OME work very well, and from the looks department set my XJ apart from most I see driving around. It gives a custom look without appearing "bubba-ish". I've found it does perform better out on the family land, and the height is just right to still look good with a 235 or 265 tire that comes with some kind of treadlife warranty. The addition of my 1.5" spacers to factory Jeep Ravine wheels widened that stance enough to help compensate for handling changes due to the lift, and on-road manners are excellent.

Don't let people discourage you from a 2" lift. Done the right way, they can be great. You're not going to climb big boulders or bonzai up 4 diamond trails, but you'll still have a very capable vehicle.

 

thanks for the sage advice. The "brush guard thing" is definitely coming off. I'm not going to mess with cosmetic body work (there are some dings and dents on the body). Looking to remove the stock roof rack and get a basket type rack with light mounts.

I'm going to shop around for bigger tires/wheels. I do have to educate myself because I have 235 75 15s on her now and I'm not 100% sure how that translates to a 31 or 32" wheel. Still debating on a lift or boost. We'll see how much stuff I can find in my house to sell on craigslist

 

Your Jeep is old and probably needs service.
Huge tires don't help a poorly running Jeep.
Here are some mechanicals you can focus on first.

Seal rust (floorpans, doors, rockers, etc)
Flush coolant
Differential & transfer case fluid
Replace transmission fluid
Replace power steering fluid
Bleed brake fluid
Cooling system: Radiator, cap, water pump, thermostat, all hoses (Did I miss anything?)
Fan clutch
Oil filter adapter (leak)
PCV Valve
Alternator
Cleaning IAC and Throttle body
Temperature sending units (2)
CPS/CKP sensors,
Replace TPS (throttle position sensor)
Transmission cooler
Replace distributor, plugs, wires, coil, coil pack, distributor switch plate
Starter
Headlight upgrade (harness also)
New tires
O2 sensors
Check suspension (Front Lower Steering Stabilizer, FrontSway Bar Bushings and End Links)
Vacuum lines?
Fuel Filter, Fuel pressure regulator, Fuel pump....
CCV hoses?
Bulbs?
Fuel pump
Valve cover gasket (leak)
Lube Steering Column Boot (from inside)
Motor mounts
Tranny mounts
Hood Release Cable
Battery
Front U-joints
Front wheel bearings
Front brakes/rotors.
Muffler and catalytic converter
New front and rear wipers
Battery cables and terminals
Air filter
Front Left Window Regulator
Bypass Lock button for passenger windows
Serpentine belt

 

Taking off the factory roof rack and putting on a big heavy basket type rack puts alot of weight way up high and can also adversely affect handling... makes it more top heavy.

 

A roof rack does NOT affect handling at all..

 

Best thing to do to that jeep to make it look tough would be,

Trim fenders
Remove rubber trim
Bedline the bottom and brush guard
Add a 3"lift with full leafs
31 at's
A Lund visor
A light bar

All these mods will make it look great and not affect the DD aspect of it. You may lose 1-2 mpg with lift and tires but with a tune up you'll gain it back. Goodluck

 

Do you by chance live in brooklyn? i coulda sworn i saw that exact jeep parked today near Coney Island ave

 

Zero inches of lift, trimmed fenders, 31"x10" tires, on 15x8 rock crawlers with 4" back spacing and no rubbing what so ever.



I loved the way it looked, and wished I would have never lifted it, instead just replaced the worn out stock suspension components.

I dont think you need any lift to have a more agressive look

 

sure it does. Plopping 100 lbs on the very top of a vehicle will make it more top heavy and will raise the center of gravity.

The most recent Jeep we put a big steel roof rack on was a 2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited LJ and when cornering you can feel the extra weight up there. The rack was on for the whole summer. We took it off to change from the soft top to hard top and without the rack it corners flatter. Much less lean.

Here's the jeep behind my cherokee...

 

Bump. Had current xj for around a year. It was sitting for quite a while . . .this sounds like my list of things done. This sounds like a man who has revived some xjs! Oh and I threw a heavy beefy roof rack with my spare 31. Only thing I noticed is fuel economy on longer drives. (but honestly when you go modifying an xj fuel economy is the last thing on your mind.)

 

Yea I had an 01 2wd I wasn't planning on ever offroad ing it do I did the 2 in budget I fit 32s some rubbing at full turn but with 30s no problem and these guys saying you won't fill the 2 in they wrong. Mine with the 2 in felt a lot bigger till I got rid of it and want with a 4x4 and 4.5 rc but yeaaa as soon as you start you are opening a can of worms but it's to be expected and once you get rid of the worms it's the best all the slight things you may have to change ok it can be pricey when not knowing what caused it but once all the worms are not you will be happy and proud of what you got down. A few things I would do if I wanted something not to costly and toads the aggressive look without being costly 2 in budget wide 30s and learn a few things. That's what I'm doing I just built a roof rack with jcr gutter mounts for under 100 bucks isnt the best looking thing but it works" first ever welding job" throw some black on there were paint can be easy to chip are scratch from rocks " it'll be easier to fix and touch up in the future" find stuff on Craigslist. I found my 2 hella 700 series lifghts with the covers for 50 bucks look for stuff you can modify for cheap that wont take much work to do. And keep your eyes open for sales are discounts. Soon you'll find yourself seting a budget for ya jeep and Hiting that budget all the time. But from expierence it's well worth it. No one loves your jeep like you do. And what you do to your jeep reflexes you as a person so basicly whatever floats ya boat do it. Screw what other people like and what other people say althought advice is nice from time to time

 

Idk why some people are discouraging you.i took a stock jeep threw a 3in RC series 2 kit and thee 30's on her.no wobbles.had to get her realigned but no worries she's great.its my daily driver and my weekend toy.never fails me the jeep rocks.i recently cracked a bellow on my exhaust manifold;however, replaced it with an apn header.my ride now as compared to my stock ride,is much improved.o can smash threw dips crawl rocks and hills with the best of em.

 

Same setup here except I have 3.75 bs and more aggressive tires. I love the stability from a low and wide rig, handles better now than it did on pizza cutter street tread, stock rims, and with sway bars (a bit of body roll but it feels less tippy if that makes sense).

 

I got a 2.5 block lift for my jeep and have it on 31's and it looks mean, and I took my roof rack off just to see what it looks like, it looks pretty good without it so theres a cheap mod! ill load some pics.

 

2" trim fenders and 31's. Ofc after maintenance.