Cut and folded like you chose to*

Not everyone wants to. Just a reminder. And I don't consider steering stop adjustment to be a fix. I thought it was when I lifted my XJ, but I hated how loose my turning radius was afterward. Again, preference.
I'd rather break a shaft than R&P.

 

Pretty much all this

 

Not to worried about the R&P if it goes it goes. Just beefing it up a lil until I can find a worth while 14bolt for the rear. So far Im rather impressed with the D35 even with limited slip instead of a full time locker. Spins tires nicely when I ask the Jeep to on the street.

 

Only gonna have 200-300 total with axles and locker. Getting them from a friend so itll do till I get a 14bolt ready to go in.

 

Would a 4.5 inch rough country lift and 32 inch tires have any tire rub

 

With out trimming the bumper caps on the 97+ yes you will more then likely scrub.

 

I'd like to further elaborate on this. You will rub on full flex and lock. 3" fits 31's with no trimming but may still experience rubbing at full flex and lock, therefor 4.5" and 32's should basically behave the same.

Normal driving and regular up travel shouldn't have any issue. Off-road driving with sway bar still attached, may not have an issue. Off-road driving iwht no sways - it's gonna rub - you need to bumpstop.

Trim your endcaps and/or add bumstops and adjust your steering stops.

Or, just get rid of the flares and cut metal - all of it's good.

To put it into perspective, I'm stock height w/ 235/75 15's.... but I have no rear sway and I disco the front when i'm off road.... thing rubs like a champ - cause I have no bumpstops (the deteriorated and fell off).

Make sense?

 

Buddy of mine ran 4.5" on 32s rubbed at full lock on the street and on speed bumps.

 

If you have tires larger than 30", you need to install bumpstops if you don't want to rub when flexed. 10" of lift will still rub with 33s if you hit full flex.

 

Very true.

 

This is too easy of an answer. They'll still gonna ask probably thought

 

Exactly.

 

currently getting 14.8 mpg highway per gps with a 3.5 inch lift and 31" tires. Bought the Jeep used as it is.

Could going back to stock tire size get me an additional 2-3 MPG?

This is my DD and I can't afford that mpg. My last xj had a 3.5 inch lift with 30" tires and got 20mpg highway.

 

Maybe a tune-up is due. I presume you have stock gearing, not great for 31"s. Also, are they heavy tires and steel wheels? This will also make a difference. I run 'P' versions of tires and alloy wheels. Made a big improvement in mileage and highway performance on stock gears.

 

Yes, I'd consider the tires heavy but I think the wheels are alloy. It is a 98 classic. These are the wheels I have but not my tires.