So one of the first things I did when I bought my xj was replace my worn out shocks. But I bought stock length because I was stock. Now I have a 2" block kit but I plan on eventually going 4.5" with 33s eventually. Now my question is could I replace my stock shocks with ones for 4.5" of lift while I still have my 2"? Or will they bottom out? I'd like to be able to recoup some money by selling the stockers while they're still very new

 

Once you get into lifting an XJ you'll start to notice that you can't rely on the "4.5" lift shocks" - it has to do with the specific configuration of your travel, bump stops, etc... Get under there and measure the room that you have.

Pretty much everyone is going to tell you this.

 

^x2
You need to get out a tape measure