There are some great suggestions here. I like Mexican Hippie's ideas. And he is right.
1" BL (my kit came with a radiator drop bracket so no motor mount lift was necessary) Back then, I lived in an apartment and put the lift on in the parking lot with a hi-lift jack and no help. Very manageable... With a budget boost you can get on 33's and it sounds like that will be all you need. There s a chance you will have to adjust your bump stops (especially if you disconnect the front. Another simple home remedy that I did was to use hockey pucks. I used wind shield installation glue to hold them in place on the bottom stop... never once lost one.
The later, when your stocker coils start to sag, you could spring (no pun intended) for a mild lift and pretty much leave your drive line alone. Most kits come with a t-case drop kit which sacrifices a little clearance but if you get into modifying that, you will need a SYE kit or much cheaper "hack and tap" solution. No opening of the transfer case. I went with a SYE and Woods shaft.
It never really ends with Jeeps. Just like other off-road/exploration rigs, mods become addictive. Jeeps are fun and simple to work on and I am sure you and your son would get some quality time busting knuckles together. The TJ is still wildly supported by aftermarket fabricators and parts are everywhere.
Unless you plan on some off-roading in the way of rocks or especially scenarios needing more than average articulation, you won't need disconnects up front. But they are inexpensive and nice to have. I made my own until I lifted high enough to need replacement links. Then I went with JKS. There are write-ups (mine is buried some where) on how to make your own 'quick disco's' which basically have you replacing hardware where they bolt on at the bottom.
I could go and on about the TJ. I miss mine sorely and very nearly went with an unlimited but decided the four doors were better for my little kids. (2 year old and six month old both in car seats)
The first thing I did was wire a kill switch to the ignition fuse under the hood. Hid the switch away under the dash and flipped it when leaving my topless/doorless Jeep in certain areas. Very simple.
One of my favorite mods was a Flowmaster 40 series with 2.5" pipe. Sounded great behind the 4.0. Check out Iggee seat covers on eBay. Nice protection from the elements. I feared no rain after lining my tub (Autozone - Herculiner - sprayed in) and installing those covers.
I had a blast at the ORV park in Hot Springs way before I lifted the Jeep to manage the 5's. You could go now since you are close, enjoy the trails, camp, and just be outdoors with your boy and the Jeep. Sounds good don't it?
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Attached was my TJ before I sold it money on our new house: @ Katemcy Rocks in Texas. Of course my JK build has an entirely different purpose. Though I did it, my heart never really was in the rock crawling... I am more suited for overland/endurance/exploration. It just took me a bit to realize it.
Enjoy your Jeep. Ownership gets you in the club.
By the way, I am from Arkansas and have family all over. My last house was in Benton. I miss the trees the most. Mesquite don't count!!!
:smiley_drive:
