I didn't need any trimming, only taken my rig on a rock trail once now and did a little rubbing, nothing too bad though.

 

heres what im thinking at this point
-3" coils up front
-3" lift leaf pack in back (full leafs cause mine are saggin)
-transfer case lowering kit
-new shocks
is there anything else im gonna need? this wont be getting done for a while but im trying to figure it out set and stone what ill need so i can start my bargain hunting.

 

Adjustable track bar if u ever wanted to go higher. Quick disconects for ur front sway bar possibly

 

I'll go with my limited knowledge and the information I gathered during the last year lurking on this forum and a couple others I'm not active on.

My XJ is not lifted yet, so I've not experimented what I'm about to say, but from what I heard, it's the best lift(s) for the buck.

I am interested in lifting 3" too and my choice landed on Rough Country 3" w/ full leafs (around $600 for this kit). Reason is, the only shop I know around here only sell RC and won't take other brands, so it's fine by me. I really want to lift it 60% for the look, 40% for the offroad abilities. I'm not a hardcore jeeper and it's going to be my daily driver. Maybe that's not cheap to you, but with new leafs, you can't go wrong.

The second option is Rough Country Add A Leaf (AAL). That one costs around half of the other (250-300$) but you don't have full leafs, you simple add one leaf on each side. Downside of this is, for most, after a year it starts sagging. (I just read yours are already sagging, so you might wanna go with full leafs) So my opinion is really pay a little more for the full leafs, you'll avoid problems. People often say the RC shocks ride stiff, but I couldn't say because I never driven an XJ with that kit. You can always buy better shock if you don't want the one that come with the kit.

Many people run Rusty's or Zone which are fairly cheap kits too, and are available with full leafs or AAL.

Also at 3" it's rare you have vibes and death wobble. Often you will need a t-case drop, but it's different for every jeep, so only you will see.

References:

Rough Country (w/ leafs package is an option at the bottom of the page): http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_xj_3x.php
Zone w/ leafs: http://zoneoffroad.com/product?ki=436&gr=-1#no_op
Zone AAL: http://zoneoffroad.com/product?ki=34&gr=-1
Rusty's w/ leafs: http://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-su...-pack-kit.html
Rusty's AAL: http://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-su...-leaf-kit.html

There is also Rubicon Express, but that is less "cheap". Their kit with leafs costs around 750$ but the shocks are not included, so that's to be considered.

http://www.quadratec.com/products/16...googlemerchant

Hope that helps!

 

Id second looking into sway bar discos. You might also not need the tc drop at 3 in. It can depend on the rig. Ive got mine on 3.5 full leafs and I have no real vibes.

 

You got it. I did S10 leafs and JK Rubicon shocks. For about $400 I had 3" lift with full leaf packs. An adjustable track bar would be good too as 1998redxj said.

 

Piecing together a kit is much less expensive then buying it as a while. I have 686 into my re kit with full leafs , Bilstein 5100's , extended steel brake lines and trackbar

 

I lifted the front almost 3 and the rear 3.5 for about 150 plus shocks that are on order. Definitly doesnt hurt to look around.

 

how was it putting on the s10 leafs? did you do a write up on it or find one? how do you like your lift?

 

Its pretty easy. Make sure you have a good angle grinder to get cut the leaf packs, pretty much the only way to do it. It does ride a lil rough but not bad and it holds a full load. I had the rear loaded up with rocks to the top of the rear seat and its only sag .5-.75"!! I just put 2" lift shackles in this weekend for a total of 4.5" and it rides a good bit better than before.

Here are a few links to the install.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/s1...ard-pack-1380/
http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/...udget_Lift.htm

 

Mine is lifted 3.5 or 4" and I have almost $100 into it. I just trolled through the JY looking for lift parts. The last thing I need is an adjustable track bar to get my axle centered perfect again. Some people don't like getting used parts but 100 bucks sure beats 600+ any day. I got 2 lift coils, 2 leaf packs, 2 shackles and 4 procomp shocks. A little extra work is well worth it IMO.

 

Wish we had pick-n-pulls here. cost me $100 for leafs :/

 

so let me get this straight, you just cut the eye holes off the s10 leafs and used the whole spring pack under the xj main?

 

the jy?

 

junk yard... im lookin to lift too. im thinking the r.c. 3 inch with full packs and a t.c. drop. its gonna be my every day driver but i still want to go outand play in the mud.