Phil.

Super crowded today so good thing you guys avoided it. I did more recovery than wheeling today.
 
#1 - Lead Chevy Tahoe gets caught up on a twisty decline with a steep drop off and a perpendicular trail with another drop off at the end.
#2 - Tacoma burns up his clutch then traction control and CEL protests in response
#3 - On my way out, since I didn't get much wheeling in, I decided to swing by the new obstacle course then the ravine at the bottom of Truck Hill when two kids in a Dodge Ram have their axle stuck in a rut about 1/4 way headed downward.
 
Third times a charm so I didn't tempt fate and headed home right away LOL

The real question is how much tire do you want to run?  
 
A lift in and of itself does little to give more clearance.  It's main job is to give room for taller tires.  The tires are what gets your differentials and axles higher off the ground.  So let's start with what size tires you have now and what size you think you'd like to run, then you can decide what size lift you would need.
 
I'm not sure what you have now, but a 2" kit should give you room to run 31-32" tires which will certainly help on the trail.  This is a bit bigger than stock while still being very streetalbe and though you will be able to feel a bit of a change in acceleration you won't need to re-gear.  
 
As Eric noted, a 2" kit would basically be springs and shocks.  There are several options to choose from such as OME and TerraFirma.  BTW, Lucky8 has that Terrafirma kit rather cheaper than AB  https://www.lucky8llc.com/collections/lift-kits-2/products/2-discovery-ii-lift-kit
 
You'll also want to consider if you have or plan to add any other items to the truck in the future such as steel bumpers, rock sliders, a winch, etc.  Do you run with the truck heavily loaded for long trips with a fridge and tons of gear, or do you usually run relatively light, for day trips?  Those sort of things will help you decided how strong the springs should be.  A truck that has steel bumpers at both ends and all the gear will need stronger springs to reach the same level of lift as a stock truck with lighter springs.  You'll see companies like OME (old man emu-basically ARB's suspension brand) will offer different springs for differently loaded trucks.  
 
It's best to consider this in a holistic manner - what is the end goal for the truck, and what will get me there?  That will help you keep from duplicating efforts.  For example, if you buy stock +2 front springs then next year add a bumper and winch you'll end up doing springs again.
 
From what you've mentioned above, I'm going to make some speculative suggestions.  
 
It sounds like you don't plan to run trails often but would like a little more clearance while still retaining nice street manners.  You probably plan to leave the truck mostly stock other than a bit of lift and tires.   
 
The TerraFirma kit linked above should do that fine paired with a moderate AT tire like the Cooper AT3 or for something a bit more aggressive perhaps the BFG KO2 or Cooper ST/Maxx.  We won't get into actual tire choice here too much as that's a whole seperate topic of discussion!  But I'd look at something in the 31-32" size.  Again, let me know what size tire you have now - I believe you have aftermarket wheels so I'm not even sure what diameter they are.
 
As Eric mentioned, even stock there are 2 big wear areas you should look at and address now in the driveline - the rear flex joint at the differential and the front driveshaft.  (you should check these even if staying stock).  The flex joint can simply be visually inspected, but the front driveshaft is harder to check.  It's a non-serviceable item from the factory and the proximity of the catalytic converter to the U-joints tends to cook the grease out of them over time leading to potentially catastrophic failure.  If you don't know the age of the unit, consider replacing it with a serviceable driveshaft that you can grease yourself.  
 
Aside from the lift and tires, I'd also strongly recommend a pair of dif guards.  They are inexpensive and won't affect the on-road driving of the truck but will give some peace of mind by protecting the low-hanging differentials from accidentally hitting a rock off-road.   There are lots of options here - in fact RoverWare actually donated a set in the raffle. I prefer the weld-on version for it's strength.  http://www.roverware.us/differential-guard/
 
The next thing I would consider would be rock sliders.  They are steel pieces that protect the bottom of the doors/body from hitting things when off road.  Again, they won't have any effect on the road manners of the truck but can come in very handy as this is a vulnerable area.  They are a bit more expensive though.  Companies like Tactical 4x4, RTE, and Terrafirma among others offer sliders for the D2.  I would recommend getting a version with nerf bars.  https://www.lucky8llc.com/collections/armor-2/t-discovery-ii+ac1-accessories+ac2-armor+ac3-sliders
 
I can't help with any shop recommendations as I don't spend much time in the south bay and tend to such things myself anyway.  Some members (myself included) will occasionally host wrenching days were we get together and help each other with things like this however I'm personally pretty backed up with projects both for home and work right now and don't expect I'll be opening the shop for a club day any time soon. 

UPDATE AS OF 3/12 (Tuesday)
 
Dates: March 15 (Friday) and/or 16th (Saturday) to commute to Grand Junction. March 17th and 18th on the Kokopelli Trail. March 19th through March 23rd near Moab at Last Hurrah, and March 24th for the commute home.
 
I will be leaving Bay Area on the 14th (Thursday) and heading to Grand Junction to arrive the night of the 15th (Friday) to meet with Tyler. We plan on doing some advanced scouting work to make sure the parts of the Kokapelli that are at elevation aren't snowbound and check out some of the stuff around Grand Junction. We will most likely get a Motel 6 (they are cheap and allow dogs) in Grand Junction proper. I will post up an actual rally point for the beginning of the Kokapelli and the place we can all meet on Sunday morning to start in. 
 
The route I will be taking may be different than 80 - I may take the smaller two lane highway across Nevada (loneliest road) just for a change of pace and cause I am running on retirement time not stolen away from my work week. 
 
 Part 1 of this trip will be following the world famous Kokopelli Mountain Biking trail from Grand Junction to Moab Utah (in Rovers of course). Our plan will be to spend all day Sunday and most of Monday on the trail, then emerge and camp someplace near Moab on Monday evening. Most likely the city campgrounds that are near 
 
 
 
Part 2 of this trip will be overnighting near Moab (in Last Hurrah) while running trails the 19th - the 23rd. I am open for trail ideas, current thinking is:
 
 
Tuesday - Fins and Things/Hells Revenge - Fins and Things is a good gatekeeper trail, to get you used to driving on slickrock and to test your vehicles abilities. Hells Revenge is a classic trail not to be missed, on of my favorites. 
 
Wednesday - Golden Spike (featuring the infamous Golden Crack)
 
Thursday, Friday, Saturday  (TBD) - Lots to choose from. I think some of us may split off to hit Arches National Monument and do a trail there to see and explore dinosaur tracks, etc...If you have a favorite (ie Pritchet Canyon, Metal Masher, etc) that you want us to run, lets figure out the list
 
 
Logistics: The part 1 trip will be expedition style, we will overnight in a motel or camping are the evening of March 16th and then head out the next morning at 9am on the 17th from the trailhead near Loma. We will follow the legal 4x4 portions for about 150 miles before arriving at Moab. You need to be prepared for two nights of remote camping along the trail. Here is a link which includes a GPX file so you can see what the trail is all about: http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/showthread.php?148532-Kokopelli-Trail
 
 
Part 2 logistics will be for you to either camp or get lodging in last Hurrah.For details , see basecampadventurelodge.com. It is located in Last Hurrah, Utah. Not a lot of options for food or drink there, plan on stocking up at the grocery store in Moab for all the essentials. You will have option of joining in on the days trail runs, or instead staying around there for hiking, ATV riding, kayaking, etc. Tyler is bringing his dirt bike. 
 
I understand pretty much everyone will be staying Tues - Sat at Last Hurrah. Let me know if I have that wrong. 
 
I am choosing some trails we will run each day but schedule will be subject to change. Right now, it looks like:
 
Tuesday - Fins and Things
 
Wednesday - Hells Revenge + possibly another
 
Thursday - Kane Creek, Chicken Corner, etc.. (a set of trails near Last Hurrah)
 
Friday -- ?? TBD
 
Saturday -- ?? TBD
 
Sunday - head home
 
Participants:
 
1. Chuck Mobraten (DesertCrawler) in a blue D2 with front and rear lockers and winch.  Doing both parts of trip. Adding my dad (Dave) who is flying in to Moab airport at 3pm on Tuesday. 
 
2. Tyler Mobraten (lilKrawler) in a white D2 with front and rear lockers and a winch. Doing both parts of trip. 
 
3. Greg, Linnae, and Nathan Clfford (in a bone stock Toyota 4x4 with a camper shell). (Chuck's cousins). They will most likely not do trail runs in that rig. Doing Part 2 only of trip. 
 
4. Don Happel & Michelle -- They will do Kokapelli with us, then drop off Michelle in Grand Junction Monday night. 
 
5. Robert Dingli - do second part of trail. May meet up with us Tuesday morning sometime to do trails.
 
6. Mike Foster - in it for both parts, will meet us Sunday morning for start of Kokapellio
 
I think I understand each vehicle and its capabilities, but we will be trying some "tough" trails rated as 7's on the attached scale.. Let me know if you have doubts about your vehicles capabilites. I am only running 33's, but have done some of these trails (even though they say 35's) it just takes a bit longer. d, I'll try and keep the main page updated as planning progresses as well. 
 
What I need from you is:
 
a)Send me your cell phone number at 650-208-1175 so I can start a "group chat" we can use to communicate enroute to trailhead and meeting points. 
 
b)Send me the email address you use for your GAIA subscription so I can share a folder with you containing all the trails we will be running.
 
c)Confirm you have Ham radio and post up your call sign - mine is KI6WSR - Tyler is KI6WSS. 
 
 
More questions? Post em up!

Garrison Outfitters SW window trim kit went onto the D90 yesterday

Garrison Outfitters SW window trim kit went onto the D90 yesterday

Picked up some knockoff key fob case from China on ebay. $12 shipped for two. Finally got around to transplanting the guts and both sets of keys to the RRS look good as new.