I didnt get to in depth on reading everyone's post but here's my question's...
Are you going to trim the fenders or keep the stock flares?
Are you going to get aftermarket wheels that stick out further?
Are you lookin to add a winch or aftermarket bumpers?
Are you looking for cool guy status with a big lift or actual function?
I've done a lot of reading about low center of gravity rigs and KTMracer419 is very wise with why lower is better, his competition rig is 2.5" of lift on 37" tires. I've read this a lot and if I could go lower than 4" with the suspension I'm after I would
http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/low-cog-suspension-setup-tricks-tips-revised-9-24-12-a-32980/
If it was me I would stick with a good solid complete 3" lift, trim the fenders as needed and but what you can afford, long arms will be a softer ride but it doesn't mean it flexes much better than short arms, I have short arms and ill still get the same 12" shock travel that the long arms get... Shock position is in the same place so overall travel will be the same... What's going to limit your flex is your steering brake lines and track bar and your lower control arms if they don't have any bend to them.
If your looking to add a winch with a cable your looking to drop your front an inch or so rear with a tire carrier about the same so plan for that.
You can compensate a stiff ride with softer springs and shocks. Mine rides a little stiff empty but loaded for camping and trail use it rides great.
There is a lot to look into for a lift, if it were me to do it all over again I would still look at iron rock Offroad and get their 3.5" solid leaf pack for $319, it's only 10% stiffer than stock and same for their 3" coils for 109, I would get their lower control arms for $129-169 and double sheer track bar for $200 your sitting at about 800 there, get some shocks and $100 brake lines and you should be all set for around $1200 if your planning for a winch bumper in the future all you would need is a coil spacer up front to compensate for the height difference of 1-2". Same with the rear, a shackle would be a great add on later.
http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=IROR&Category_Code=XLK
Hope all this helps, your going to get 100 different answers on why their setup is better, it's all in what you want and can afford, some 3" lifts won't include lower control arms which will stop droop, some will do just add a leafs which tend I sag over time. Don't go into debt cause everyone wants you to buy the best, those who have TNT and all that great product are those who own shops or make the money to afford that level of quality, in my opinion it's not the name brand you buy it's all about the fun and expierence you encounter with your jeep.
Later before you rock crawl to much don't forget to add armor like sliders, you'll be mad at yourself the first time you come smashing down on a rock
