Hey folks! Yes, I'm new to the Jeep scene. I'm interested mostly in muddin/trails and was wondering if I should go with a 4.5" lift, or a spring-over? Will be running 33"'s or 35"'s.  

I think either one will net the lift required for 33's and a spring over I think gives plenty for 35's.  I know a guy running a 4" SUA with some lift shackles clearing 37's with TJ flares.  This is an age old question.  It depends on what you read and what you think of everyone elses opinions.  I personally run SUA (Spring under axle) which I would recommend for you if you are doing anything with big torque.  I know a lot of guys running SOA (Spring over axle) and they get better flex but stock YJ leafs are weak and apparently don't last very long although they keep a nice ride and give you lift and are very cheap to replace.  Axle wrap is the one thing to watch out for with SOA.  If you are going to run full force into mud I would stay SUA.  SUA also works just fine for trails.  
AGAIN, these are my opinions and it will ultimately be your judgement against everyone elses opinions to make the call.  
-Funhog  

if your gonna do mud and dont care about flex stay with sua lift and keep it simple  

spring over makes u extra tipsy
but good lift 5" gain w/ a spring over.
the 4" will be more stable but u'll do some fender trimmin for 35"s
its your choice
me and my dad do fine w/ 33"s with mud tirespeed is big  

Mud requires throttle. Springover conversions and throttle don't work together well on Jeeps without a bunch of other additions that will cost more than a regular old lift kit.  

if u want to go big. check out the black diamond jeep lift kit. its 7" lift with coil over in the front and spring over in the back
great street ride and tons of flex on the trails.
u can fit 37's w/out timming your fenders and if u dont care take em off and put tube fenders on and fit 39.5s
but you'll need to beef up your axles and may need more power so be ready for applications  

Jp Editor:
Mud requires throttle. Springover conversions and throttle don't work together well on Jeeps without a bunch of other additions that will cost more than a regular old lift kit.

ya, what he said.
Keep your springs where they are and go with a good, multi-leaf, spring pack. More thin leaf's are better than fewer thick one's. You get what you pay for with leaf's... I recommend Deaver in Santa Ana, Ca. I used them for years in the desert... they know there leaf packs!  

spring under is my choice  

for what you want I gotta agree with these guys, stay sprung under. with 4" running 33's wont be a problem.   get it up! and have fun  

make it easy on yourself...and spend more time wheelin w/a good QUALITY spring under...trim a little for 35s  

we need a pic of that TJ with 35's stuffed under a 1" body lift!  

i've finally got some pics in my file, just gotta figure out how to post em here  ?/?/?? it looks pretty gnarly but of course isn't near fini yet  

click on the mountain image,
paste the copied url in the box that appears, click ok,
click preview,
if the pic appears click post.

If windows throws up a scripted windows warning, click on the bar at the top of the screen,
click temporarily allow scripted windows,
click the mountain image again,
paste the copied url in the box that appears and click ok,
click preview,
click post if the image appears.

send your pics from your computer to myspace, aol pictures, putfile.com, anything web based will give you the url to post or a link for sharing.

if you get bent out of shape trying, send them to my e-mail, you can find it by clicking on my screen name. I can put a url to them and send them back for you to post. only takes a few minutes if I'm in a broadband area and have time to play. I do occasionally post them elsewhere for examples unless you say not to.  

I can show a tj with 33's and a 1 inch body lift once I get the camera going.  

lets get on the stick!

use the cell phone, send it to your e-mail, it works fine.