So if not a bottle jack what is the best method for changing tires? Don't really want to spend a ton of money for a floor jack.

Mini floor jack. Should cost like 50 bucks. It's best bet.

Under $25 at HF or autozone

Did you kill her fender or flare?

Cheapest jack at autozone is $214, however HF has one 2 Ton Compact Trolley Jack for $25.

Would this work? Again, the contact surface of this jack just looks like a disc which seems extremely unsafe lifting from the axle.

Most trolley/floor jacks have a relatively large pad with notches that can help grab the axle tube. You can also use the bottom of the dif-housing which is relatively flat (especially if you have a Chrysler 8.25"). Most compact floor/trolley jacks still can't reach the frame rails and provide enough lift to get a wheel off the ground but a full sized floor/trolley jack usually can. They also make jacks labeled as "SUV jacks" specifically designed to lift high-ground clearance vehicles.

I use one of these: Craftsman 2-1/4 ton Floor Jack on my XJ and have never had issues with stability. (This isn't particularly compact though)

I'd check Wal-Mart too, they sell a 2 tom Torin (under the "Black Jack" name), they often have them for less than HF and sometimes they come with a case. I've also used one of these to lift the XJ without issue.

Floor/Trolley Jacks are more inherently stable than bottle jacks due to their large foot-print and aren't likely to tip over like a bottle jack is.

Again if you are going to work under the vehicle use jack stands, I highly recommend these: Jack Stands, 3 Ton Heavy Duty from Harbor Freight or something similar they have a U shape cast into the top that fits the axle tubes of an XJ (or just about any solid axle vehicle) about perfectly.

That 3 ton from Sears you linked to IS a compact. But if it works it works, can it fit under the back seat where the stock jack usually goes?

I'm not sure, never tired to put it there, it's probably too long (just slightly) and would hang up on the center brace, it definitely wouldn't fit in the case, I keep it in the back right behind the seat which is easy with the case. This is why I said it isn't particularly compact, it is listed as a compact jack but is still quite a bit bigger than compact 2 ton jacks like the ones HF and Wal-Mart sell.

I also have a 2-ton Torin ("Black Jack" branded from Wal-Mart) that I keep in my Mustang that is smaller, I tried it in the XJ once and it fit under the seat. It doesn't have any issues lifting the XJ, it doesn't lift as high as the Craftsman but still enough to get a tire off if jacking on the axle.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Torin-Jack...andle/14560041

Is this the one youre talking about? I would really like to be able to store it under the seat so if this for sure fits and is able to securely hold the axle I think we have a winner. One other question, when lifting from the axle how far from the wheel do you position the jack?

Mine is older without the 360 degree handle but it should be about the same. I usually jack the bottom of the dif to lift the whole axle, if you're going for just one side, relatively close to the springs (rear) or control arm mounts (front) is good.

in the rear, you can jack on the leaf springs right up against the axle if you really want a flat spot to jack on.

If you are interested in a factory jack, i have one with the handle that i would be willing to part with cheap. PM me if interested