Shocks seem fine. They are probably 12 years old but I only have 50k on the XJ.

Is 2.5" in the back & 2" in the front going to look stupid?

You won't even notice it.

I have TJ canyon wheels, 15x8 5.5 bs I think. I am lifting up 4.5", and want to run 32x11.50x15. Does anyone know if I will need spacers?

Thanks

If you're dead set on keeping those wheels, you will need spacers. I always say to replace the wheels with some that have proper backspacing, but there are plenty of people who use spacers without any trouble. They require maintenance checks, though, and they add another possible point of failure. If you buy spacers, buy good ones. I suggest Spidertrax.

Yes, I run spacers with my canyons and I'm on 31s

You could do 44/9 inch combo

Well the time has come that I need all around new suspension. its had the factory stuff on it since 2001 as far as I can tell.

I want to get a two inch lift to keep it simple.
does anyone have any suggestions for a two inch lift with full leafs?
also ill be needing new shackles.

My uncle has JK shocks. I know you can use them for a 3inch lift but does anyone know if they'll also work with 2inch-2.5inchs of lift?

Just do a 3 inch lift and run with it lol

I just mostly want all around new suspension with a bit of a upgrade.
I dont really want to get into replacing a bunch of stuff right now. just want to keep it simple.

You want new suspension but you don't want to replace stuff? This seems impossible.

*** backwards

What problems will i find after doing a 3 inch lift? I mean drivabilty problems? Any?

Done correctly? None.

This was hugely helpful. Muchas gracias.

I measured approximately 16 1/4 inches both sides in the back, front driver side 17 1/4, and front passenger side 17 3/8 inches.

So much for the subjective visual looking like the XJ was slightly higher in the back, lol.

It seems that my front springs are actually in pretty okay shape? Even with the weight of the Warn brush guard hung out there on the front like a moment arm, height seems about right. (So I'm definitely following your advice and not doing anything with the front at all until I have new leafs on the back. That said, I'm probably going to have to lift the front an inch or so, so I'll probably go with Grand Cherokee V8 front coils.)

As for the rear: after your reply, I spent the last couple of days trying to understand the small print about loads, free arch, and parts numbers. I read a lot of threads and even made up my own parts cross reference chart, lol.

And I just ordered a pair of Crown 4886186AB leaf packs. According to everything I read, these are the Up-Country option replacement springs. I found them for $77 each at Streetside Auto online (and no, I never heard of them before) with free shipping and a coupon for $15 ...so basically $69.50 each leaf pack delivered. That was the best price I could find.

They don't come with new bushings or anything, but I figured I'll wait to see what shape mine are in before I worry about bushings, u-bolts, and shackles and such.

I did find a good deal (approx. $10/ea) for Monroe OEM front and rear std. gas shocks at Rockauto, so I'm probably going to go ahead and order those this weekend too (I figure at that price they'll do until I can afford KYB Monotubes ...I still have a new cat' convertor to buy, too, so I'll have to wait awhile for better shocks).

I want to thank you again for all your help so far. I'm looking forward to a much better ride in the XJ in the near future now.
Cheers!

1.25" 1.5" or 2"? and backspacing should be 4.25 or 3.75? And more numbers... Lol