my 96 with the 5.2 was getting about 17 stock, then with the 37's and 4.11's it was getting about 13, then dropping to 35's it gets about 15. They can be had CHEAP if you keep an eye out. I lucked up and got a 96, limited, 5.2 all options, 76k miles, just needed tires for $500 in May of '08. Found a few locally in decent shape, most needing a little work of some sort for under a Grand with minimal issues. Last time I looked there were two the needed front bumpers, grilles and a healight, pretty well optioned in Raleigh for $800-1000. As plentiful as they are I wouldn't start with a NY truck if I could help it. Also, with stock tires and 4.56 gears, it's had the guts ran out of that 5.2 if its ever seen the highway. There is a 4.0 GC laredo in Greenville, advertised for $1k, high miles. Needs a little susp. work, an exhaust manifold leak fixed, and has been minorly punched in the nose (primed hood, minor bends in hood and front fenders) With a little work and good lift it would make a nice trail truck (I test drove it) and he's has it up for sale long enough that he'd likely take $750 for it. Also a few other 5.2 trucks on ENCcraigslist in fair shape. As far as lifts if oyu want to stay fairly small the Rough Country 4" kit worked well on mine until I put a set of spacer on top. Then it needed and adj. trac bar and would've been much nicer with long arms. I did use a set of control arm drops for an XJ on it, didn't ride bad, didn't flex good. Whatever you get if it's short arms make sure they're adjustable, go long arm if you have the money. And if you want tire clearance the flares from Iceland Off Road are the way to go. I ran 37x14.00 Iroks on 6" with minimal rub, before the flares 32's rubbed.
