Forgive my ignorance but I'm A Corvette ,Viper guy. This 4x4 stuff is new to.me I just bought a 2000 XJ for my wife. I want to do a 3" lift to run 31's. I want it to be safe. Advise? I don't care about cost but I don't want to throw away money. Some of these kits have extras like longer brake lines transmission lowering blocks etc.., some have sway bar block extensions.If this stuff is needed, why isn't there a kit that has it all or is there? Do I need all this stuff for a 3" lift?

 

Sadly a safe , driveable by your wife, costs extra than a base lift. I have run 2 jeeps...a 92 lifted 3 inch and stroked for almost 350K and my 2001 lifted, also 3 inch and stroked has about 330K on it now. I run 3 inch in the front (most of the expense and effort) and 4 inch in the back (easy) because I hated a level jeep. In my opinion....you need an extended back brake line from the axle fitting to the connection on the frame no matter a 3 or 4 inch lift. With the 3 or 4 inch lift you should run a 1 inch transfer case drop...that can be as easy as a stack of fender washers at each mount bolt...you will probably need longer bolts to fit properly. All cheap enough. For the front it gets complicated and expensive. Longer adjustable lower control arms....i also got adjustable uppers. Extended and adjustable track bar....I used a 3 inch sway bar drop bracket (block) instead of extended sway bar end links, more durable and cheaper. Extended front brake lines...longer shocks front and back. Every part you DO NOT get will make the jeep more unstable. I can let my wife drive it under any conditions and not sweat it or have to listen how it wobbles or wanders...one incident of DEATH WOBBLE, and she will never ride in it again

 

I would stay from the kits with pucks and add a leafs. My wife loved her xj until I did a 3” puck and add a leaf kit. After that it rode rough, tracked hard, and she hated it. Once I redid the lift with Zone front and rear springs, Rustys track bar, and Rubicon Express X flex arms, it rode good and she liked it again.

 

So is there a kit with all of above or do I need to piece it out?

 

My lift is over 10 years old, and I pieced it together. I purchased OME leaf and coil springs maybe from amazon. Track bar from rustys, think i got the control arms from them too. But i got control arms from core 4x4 for a friend several years ago. Brake lines were available from advance...xfer case drop was bar stock stuffed with washers to prevent crushing and my sway bar drop brackets were a 4x3 bar stock. Im sure some kits have some or most, if you pay enough then maybe all. Its the research that takes time

 

I bought the Rough country cheap kit.
3" no control arms BUT new rear leafs.

it's been about 5 years or more.... I'm pretty satisfied.
the jeep goes down the road just fine... the shop was able to align the front end last time I put tires on it..

In hindsite I would have got the control arms.... and the better shocks.

the entry level shocks that come with it really suck.

I now have Bilsteins and it's night and day.

PS,
I see the price on this kit went up a bit. $$
what else is new.

https://www.roughcountry.com/product...-lift-kit-670c

 

Take a little more time and research what lift components do and why you may need items additional to just springs. Read the stickies at the top of Modified to get more info.

As far as quality, I’m happy with my 10 year old Rustys 3” Advanced kit, which included F/R springs, U/L control arms, track bar, extended brake lines and longer shocks. I soon swapped the kit shocks for Bilsteins. I added sway bar QDs as disconnectable longer links, and chose a slip yoke eliminator kit rather than dropping the t-case. At the same time one may consider replacing the tie rod assembly as a matter of course. Crown makes a reasonably priced HD unit (WJ?) that fits the XJ and can include a good quality steering stabilizer.

Consider adjustable control arms to have the option. On a 3” lift fixed uppers and adj lowers would be a good consideration to allow for caster adjustment if desired.

A common complaint is the shipping costs for Rusty’s. Don’t rely on the online shipping calculator. Call them for a shipping quote.

I am also impressed with the build quality of a more recently purchased 3” Zone front/rear 3” spring kit. I’m sure their control arm quality is as good as any other.

 

What is your budget. That is the best place to start and will determine just how many compromises you need to make.