i have a 87 samurai, and want 3" lift. I like to fit 235 75 15 tires. I can not decide which lift kit to go with. I'm mainly look at YJ lift kit, the Samurai 3" lift spring, and old man emu.

You can put on some 1" longer shackles and likely fit 235/75 tires.  No lifted springs needed.

If you really want to swap out the springs, go for the OME 2" lift springs.  They ride nice and will not lift the vehicle too much. 

I made a set of shackles that were 2" over stock to clear 235s. They worked great on the road but not much room for flex offroad.

My Samurai came with a shackle lift that I think is 2"over stock, no other suspension changes, I want to run 235's but the 215's that are on it now rub the leaf springs, at least the drivers side, and are pretty close to the front bumper. I don't know for sure but it looks like to run 235's I would have to use a different wheel with less backspacing or wheel spacers, and maybe have some contact with the stock front bumper. Maybe it would just be close.

if you are rubbing the leaf springs, try adding wheel spacers also.  I have 6" of lift and 1 1/2" spacers am I am running 33x12.5x15.

if you are rubbing the leaf springs, try adding wheel spacers also.  I have 6" of lift and 1 1/2" spacers am I am running 33x12.5x15.

I was thinking about some wheel spacers or even just new wheels with less bs, but from what I've read people claim that with stock or close to stock backspacing it shouldn't have rubbing issues until running a tire like yours, 215's or even 235's are far from that. So, Im not sure whats up? Maybe the shackle lift throwing the castor off combined with no drop pitman arm is making it rub. Im going to try a drop pitman arm and I hope to eventually ditch the extra long shackles for a better lift.

What wheels and tires are you running? 

Something doesn't sound right.  Maybe somebody has installed Sidekick/Tracker wheels are on your Samurai?  It is more common than you think and they will rub on the front springs with even 205/75 street tires.

Stock samurai wheels, not the ones with the holes.