yup, i just bought a 87 MJ,

the previous owner could not figure out the DW... it was the damn trackbar bolt!

 

If it is a "budget" 4" lift I would do a lot of research.

Are you a 2 door or a 4 door? (I didn't look).

I would give a serious look at the Tereflex 3" lift. You should be ok drive shaft wise and it will give you plenty of room for 35's.

Joe from Tereflex is on the forum a lot and can certainly help.

Screamin Lizzard is also good.

Same with David at Northridge.

Man, we are lucky to have this forum.

 

if he has a two door, it wont be good on the driveshafts

 

it is a 2dr. I am not looking to spend a fortune on this thing(i owne mustangs for that)i picked it up cheap so thaught what the hell. and yes...this forum is the shiznit. so to not stress the drive shafts and run 35"s....lift size should be???? sure am sorry bout all the quest but want to do it right. and i am the installer....ummm..maybe!

 

Go back to post #3...

 

Here! Here!

If you don't know where to start, here a simple systematic way of choosing:

I would start by reading the FAQs and most excellent collection of threads on various lifts.
Then go to to the Show and Tell section and look at JK's with the amount of lift you are interested in.
Then ask yourself the question "Do I want to deal the additional mods and potential issues caused by lifts of 3"+.
What ever you answer is then talk to manufacturers of your top choices. Their knowledged and customer service will differentiate them.
Then ask specific questions on this forum and include what factors are important for you: cost, ride, reliability, etc
Then allocate the funds do it the way you really want from the beginning.
Then if you have the inclination, study the installation instructions and install it yourself, but have it inspected and aligned by a quality 4X4 shop.

Then ....

 

its not the tire sizes that damages the driveshaft. its the lift height. Basically anything over 3" of lift. Makes the rear shaft at a steep angle. The stock shafts cant handle it.

the teraflex 2.5" is over 3" of lift. You really need to stick to a 2" BB, if you dont want to spend extra cash down the road upgrading driveshafts.

 

I would agree with staying below 3" of lift. If you want more tire clearance, consider adding 1" of body lift, otherwise your lift gets significantly more expensive.
I have the 2.5" RC coil kit and didn't replace/relocate the trackbar. Higher would have shifted the axle far enough to necessitate trackbar countermeasures. As it is, the shift can be measured, but hasn't affected drivability or appearance.
As has already been said, higher will also necessitate driveshaft countermeasures.

To run 35s, most would say a regear to be necessary, regardless of your lift choice. Our pavement-thumping 3.8L engines wheeze already with 32s.

 

Maybe it's just me, but I have a 4" lift with stock driveshafts and (knock on wood), so dar so good. I know I'll need new eventually, but I've had my rig out a few times and been careful regarding the terrain I tackle, and its been fine. The angle doesn't look good, in fact it's had me worried on several occassions, but I am yet to tear the boot or destroy the ds. Not sure why mine has been holding up but I'll take it. If the ds is the only thing holding you back from a 4" lift I wouldn't necessarily rule one out just because of this. II have the Superlift and really like it. It came with an adjustable front track bar, rear track bar bracket, brake line brackets, and alot of things the Rough Country and cheaper kits don't include. That all combined with my TF arms has been a great set up so far. And because I have adj arms, once I do get new driveshafts I can adjust everything to accommodate.

Good luck on your decisions. I had lots of fun getting mine to the point it is now, but as most will tell you...it's not quite finished.

 

Trackbar relocation and adjustments and all just keep the ride closer to stock. It's a cheap upgrade that is well worth it IMO. It basically re-centers the axle and keeps the ride nice.