Im looking at lifting the mini tank. Im thinking either a 4.5 lift or the 5.5. What brand do you all think I should go with.

 

http://www.roughcountry.com/ have a good 4.5" lift it comes with every thing you need but not shocks. check that web site out.

 

If your going for 4.5" you'll need a slip yoke eliminator and cv drive shaft. plan on spending another $500-600 for that.

I have RoughCountry lower control arms on my XJ and they have been doing fine. I like the extra clearance that they give you.

But I would highly suggest getting a kit with a full leaf pack and not an add-a-leaf. I think the add-a-lead lasted maybe a year in my XJ before I started to see a negative curve in the rest of the springs.

 

Im also thinking of the Rubicon 5.5 lift. thinking of putting on 33s with minor trimming

 

If your looking at the RE, I'd highly suggest it over the RoughCountry.

 

I have heard good things about it. Its a little pricey but it is what you pay for. Im still undecided and just checking my options right now. Im in no rush to lift it more just yet. Im finally taking it wheelin on Friday so ill see what the weak points will be. Its gonna be different going from a truck where I could crawl up anything to something that is limited. Should be fun though.

 

I put a 4.5" rough country on my '96, without the SYE, and it also came with shocks. I believe it cost $800 with shipping. I haven't had any problems, but I would suggest going with a full leaf pack and not a AAL.

Just my 2 cents...

 

There is no way Ill do the AAL. I have that now with the 2" lift and they keep shifting. Also where can I find just a lift with no shocks? Im a big fan of the Rancho 9000s, had them on 2 different trucks and I love them. So I can care less if the kit comes with shocks.

 

You're just jealous of my 9000XLs

 

Usually if you call the place that you are gonna buy the lift from, they can take the shocks outta the lift for you. I bought my RE kit for my TJ from Jason @ 4x4GroupBuy. Right now they have the RE 3.5" Super Flex kit with free OME shocks, which are supposed to be better than Rancho, for $50 more than RE's website.

 

Hey, whats the highest I can go without having to by an SYE and drive shaft?

 

I'd say 4-4.5" is about the limits, even then you might need a trans drop.

 

Is that a transmission drop or a transfer case drop?

 

I believe just the T-Case. Gotta a buddy of mine with a custom 9" lift runnin 37s on his Camanche and only did the t case, and of course all the other stuff you would do. His tranny is still in the same place.

 

I have a '96 also and had no problem with the 4.5" lift. It came with a 1" t-case drop...which is a b!tch to put in.