Q- When you refer to "additional width" are you just talking about the wider foot print of the 12.5' tire tread as opposed to stock tires, or are the tires now actually further apart from the new suspension/lift?
A- The tires are now further apart from each other. They stick out of the fenders about 2" on each side.
Q- Also, if you had the vehicle stock for some amount of time before the lift, do you notice any decrease in stability (side to side) with the lift, or does the wider footprint mitigate it?
A- I drove it stock for about three months. Stability seems the same. The additional width helped out.
Q- One more question - does that kit and new springs smooth out the ride, or does it make the suspension more stiff than stock?
A- The ride is much better then stock! Of course it uses the stock torsion bars in the front but with the RS9000XL shocks it is greatly improved. The rear springs now ride better then the stock springs. At first I had a problem with the shackles bottoming out on my aftermarket Drawtite hitch. I bought a set of Jeep JY boomerang shackles
http://www.currieenterprises.com/CES...t.aspx?id=1100 and my problem was fixed. The shackles only lifted the rear 3/8 of a inch. If you have the stock hitch you should not have a problem and not need the shackles.