by getting a lift kit the ride will be rougher, i never heard of the XPatv lift so i dont know much about them. i have had experence with the highlifter kit and they are nice but i think they are built kind of cheap. also moose makes one, i think its a 1.5" lift. i am selling my 1.5" lift that i made for my rubicon, i dont know if it would fit the same but i thought i would tell you just incase. i understand that you do not want to cut the plastic ( i was the same way) so i got the lift when i upgraded to 27" tires and i still had to trim the fenders. so with the lift you still might have to trim fenders, you will just have to see. i hope i answered your questions.
-Aaron
-Aaron