I see absolutely no reason why you would not do 6.5 on 35s.

Low is the new big. Everyone says they don't want to trim, but that's the inevitable. You can trim and keep your stock flares.

You have also overlooked steering, and bracing your gear box. 33s, and especially 35s will be hell on your steering.

6.5 on SAs will ride like chit. Don't do that. Rough country makes a nice 6.5 LA kit. http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_xj_6xla.html

Beat 'em up on the price a little. You can get 10% for being a forum member.

Get the used 35s, and regear and lock. Skip on the bumpers. It doesn't look like they are even braced for recovery. Especially the back one. It goes on w/stock mounts. One good pull and there goes your bumper. Don't waste your money on those junk bumpers man. Use it for your steering, or for whatever else you're going to need. Re-balancing shafts, u-joints, gear oil, tranny fluid, seals, longer brake lines..

Edit: After crunching numbers.. If you go RC $1450 shipped maybe, 35s + $500, mount and bal + $80-100, SYE $175 + misc. That's already $2250. No gears, no lockers. I really don't see how you can do it. But that's probably as much as you can do. Or I see IR has the 6.5 for the same price.

5.5 RE long arm, 33 1250 15 on 8" 3.75 back space. i know the kit is kinda expensive online but i got mine off of qudratec for under 1800. All you will need that dosnt come with the kit is a sye and wheels and tires since you have a drive shaft. IT flexs like CRAZY and has awesome onroad manners...

With flat bushwacker flares....






With no fender trimming, stock flares



But...This is what happens when you dont trim on 6" and 33

well i truely believe im more confused now than when i started. Ok here is where im going right now. I need to find a 5.5 to 6.5 LA that is in my price range, gonna go with 33s for right now to help the gearing and axle issues. Steering wise the adjustable track arm bar is going to be good enough for the moment. I have never had any problems with steering on 33s.

OK if i ditch the bumpers, I have a reciever hitch on the back so thats a legit tow point in the rear. I need some options on the front. I dont like the looks of most of the tow hook kits for the front but i guess that would be the only option. I really am alot more confused than when i started

thanks for the heads up on this. 1535 out the door and thats with no discount so far. I am gonna give them a call tomorrow and see what else they can do on the price

called IRO and they said they calculator on the website was wrong and that the shipping was actually 265!!!! they can knock half of it off for forum members but thats still 180 more on the shipping than RC and thats not even including a discount yet. might be on to something here

Sweet! Glad I could help. Tell them you are a jeep forum member and a cherokee forum member. I think the guys name is Ryan. But they have given that 10% off forever, and/or I think you can negotiate a lil when you're spending that much.

As for front recovery, you can do a front hitch. http://www.quadratec.com/products/92...googlemerchant

I put one on my bros xj, and it works good. It robs him a little clearance but he's only @ 3.5. Personally, I'd rather do tow hooks. And go w/the 35s man. You can trim and keep it looking stock. Trust me. I ran 34s on 4.5 and kept my flares. Check out my pics.