No lift will net you ground clearance, period. Stock or 12" will have the same amount.

TIRES give you ground clearance.

The BL enables you to easily fit larger tires to gain ground clearance. Stock tires are about 28", and you can get 31's to fit stock. 32's can be had if you carefully select wheel/tire combo. A 3" BL enables you to run 33-35" tires, for a gain of 2.5-3" ground clearance.

What you are looking for is breakover angle. The best way to achieve this is a 3" BL and a 2" drivetrain lift. The frame is not your hanging point... Your crossmember is. Lifting the drivetrain 2" will give you a nearly flat underside, and the addidtional 2", for a total of 4.5-5" gain.

Check with 4Crawler... He can hook you up with all of this.

"A young man who does not have what it takes to perform military service is not likely to have what it takes to make a living." - John F. Kennedy

Proud owner of an 88 Montero (with a blown engine).