Hi,

I'm looking for complete lift kit recommendations for my basically stock 88 Samurai. I don't know how to weld, but am not afraid to drill and bolt. I'm looking to get about four or five inches.

 Thanks

For a 5" lift I am a fan of a well built SPOA kit.  Sky Manufacturing's basic SPOA kit gives you everything you need, but you will want to take your axles to a professional welder to have the spring pads installed.

What do you plan on using your Samurai for?

 I'm looking to get about four or five inches.
thats what my wife said!

really seriously, a bolt on spring over would work if you dont want to weld[or pay someone else]
A yj spring conversion with some 2" yj lift springs would work also

a good 'ol shackle reversal and a small spring under lift might get you all that you desire and make a nice driving little rig too. there should be someone out there making a "combo" kit with proper shocks,steering correction, brake lines etc... already figured out....hence the easy bolt on....

I dont do samurai's yet so haven't dont the mega-research but there are lots of samurai-savvy people on here. maybe they will chime in on a said kit.


and...

I'm looking to get about four or five inches.
thats what my wife said!

my wife gave up on this hope years ago!!!

my wife gave up on this hope years ago!!!
Mine would call that a Doubler!! of course it would actually be only 40%

What do you plan on using your Samurai for?

Hanging out with the local 4x4 clubs on the weekends.  Even though we're in the middle of a desert, it does take some freeway driving to get there and back, so something that'll work well on-road and equally well (if not better) off-road.  I don't want something that'll make it scary to drive 65 on the freeway, and also something that will get me over the next rock section.

Ill take it for granted after you add the lift youll want bigger tires, 65 MPH well just be a memory after adding the big rubber.

If you don't need a lot of clearance some OME springs, 30" tires and some body armor might be plenty for your wheeling trips.  Or maybe even just some locks and armor. 

Choose your lift to accommodate your chosen tire size, but no more. The Samurai is already a narrow, high CG vehicle, and adding a lift increases the center-of-gravity -- not a good thing on the freeway in a crosswind, or when being passed by a semi.  Up to about 31" tires you can, and should, stay SPUA (spring UNDER axle), IMHO.  Larger tires will necessitate gearing changes as well.  The Samurai needs to be geared right for adequate performance.  At 60-some HP (new) it's already somewhat underpowered.   
For myself, I spend way too much time on the So. Cal freeways, so I chose 29" tires, OME springs and a very small HD shackle lift.  Maybe someday I'll go to 30" tires, maybe not.  Tires wider than 9.5" would protrude beyond the fender flares, subjecting me to unwanted CHP attention here.  The more lift you add, the more unstable the vehicle is likely to be. Do you want to drive to the trails, or is your rig going to be a trailer-queen? 
31" tires (10.5" wide) would need about a 3" lift, 8" rims, and extended fender flares, not a direction I want to go for my sometime freeway flyer. More lift may require a dropped pitman arm. Larger tires will make the rig harder to steer.  You may want to add power steering from a Sidekick -- I did.