I had a heck of a time with noises up front on my 2.5" Daystar lift. Just for everyones information, I think it was the stock coils that had too much preload. After searching for weeks on different forums I heard that Jeep used different coils from one batch to another. Basically blowing out my struts and banging, clonging, clanking....was driving me and my wallet crazy!
I also noticed that my strut was not sitting all the way down in the Clevis. I was getting way too much lift. Dealer told me the clevis was never touched... well apparently it came from the factory that way. Keep an eye out for this. 
I ordered Rusty's full "real" lift kit and voila! Installed it myself in 8 or 9 hours
Problems solved. Needed to go to local garage to get cloils and struts compressed but the rest went very well. Lift came down by about 1 inch. Mesurements under wheel well is about 45.5" front and rear a few days after lift went on. Stock tires. No more noises. Smooth ride. Speed bumps are no longer tedious. I actually went right out in the ATV trails and was going threw the whoops pretty fast and climbing over cement drain pipes. 100% satisfied! I promise I will no longer go for the least expensive - quick lifts. 
