For your beater jeep, I would do ZJ coils and a 1.5" spacer up front and a rear bastard pack. Look for some cheap JK shock take offs locally. Or I have a set for you for $40 plus ship.

 

I am almost finished installing my RE 4.5 super flex kit. I agree with most comments that say do it right the first time....full leaf packs and adj track bar, tcase drop kit and sexy new coils. If your gonna offroad it often, go with super flex

 

So if I went with a 2-2.5" instead, and kept a close eye on my steering shtuff, would I be okay without things like shims, sye, etc.? If my leafs don't sag too much could I get by with an aal? I honestly won't be off road more than once or twice a year. Like I said earlier, I just want it higher than other cars that park next to me at work (I barely cleared this guys Honda Crosstour...).

 

No, don't assume anything... any lift you do will alter the driveline. Plan on doing a tcase drop at least, at worst do an SYE.

You can do a full AAL (I did) but even ones that claim to be 2" lift will give you 3.5 out of the box (Rustys!) so just a heads up.

 

You are not going to need a t-case drop at 2.5" of lift or an SYE.

 

Like I said earlier, I helped my co-worker put a 2" budget boost on for the same reason: her roofline was equal with a friggin Subaru Outback in the parking lot! The 2" lift was easy: no brake lines, t-case drop, track bar relocation, steering changes - none of that. She kept the stock size tires and stock flares and everything looks good, like it should have from the factory.

For what you want to do, I would go the same route, but with new springs instead of spacers up front since yours are worn out. I think it will get you what you want for now, and there's no need to put a ton of work into an XJ with almost 300k miles that you only offroad 1-2 times a year. Once you get hooked and want to go bigger, save your money, do some planning, buy a new XJ, and build it up.

 

I concur with the budget lift. It will look just fine with 235's and you'll replace some worn out springs in the process. You won't be driving over the crosstour, but you'll have a few inches on it.

 

I agree. That's why it's called a budget boost!

 

My 2" budget boost gave me 2 in the front and 3 in the rear. It vibrated like crazy, so yes I most definitely needed either a tcase or sye. I did an sye and shims to get rid of it. My point is plan for the worst because alot of the kits advertise a lift and its no where near what you get some times.

 

Awesome, that's good to know. You guys are awesome. So why is it that Rough Country has such mixed reviews? Should I go with something else then?

 

Because it's cheap, price and quality.

 

I have a 3" RC AAL kit. I don't like doing things twice but now I have to. Waste of time.

Zone is one of the best budget options out there.

 

I have to agree AAL's are going to cost you more money in the long run. I'm waiting to get a lift with full replacement leafs, coils and shocks. Maybe someone else can chime in but I think this kit from Rusty's is everything you need other than a t-case drop kit or sye. No surprises. Lots of mixed reviews on Rusty's, so I don't know if I would buy from them but just as reference look what is in the kit. Other brands will sell similar kits, or you can piece it together. Nothing worse then being on a budget with any project and getting it almost done realizing it's going to cost you more money.

http://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-su...anced-kit.html

now if you can't wait there are other options, but keep in mind they will wear out much quicker

 

In my limited experience with them, they have GREAT customer service, some of their parts are amazing or at least tolerable (for their low price) like their coil springs/leaf springs. Id avoid getting their track bar as mine broke in less than 9,000 miles, get something better(look into double shear bars). There are things that cant really be screwed up, and they make great quality stuff with those things, but there are a few things Id avoid from them, normally stuff with ball joints. I plan on using some of their stuff(adjustable control arms, brake lines, sway bar disconnects) when I lift my Jeep even more, however I plan on trying to find a better riding set of springs.

 

I was just searching through about doing a 2" lift myself and came across some here.

http://4x4.fatbobsgarage.com/suspens...its-c2897.aspx

Not sure of quality but there are several different combinations there in the 2" range for a low price.