Yike, lotta hatin' goin' on in this post! Anyway, thought I'd chime in with some info on the lowering. If you have no intention of going off-road, then look into fitting the front suspension and tranny from a '01 2WD Trooper. You lose the transfer case and all the weight associated with it and the front axle. Plus you can ditch the meager skid plates. Additionally, you pick up some space in the center console where the low-range shifter was. Stick some real cup-holders or something in there. You can also then use the space under the passenger seat where the TOD computer was for audio components or similar. In addition to being a bit quicker on dry pavement you'll be able to actually spin the rear tires since you'll only have 2WD. Plus an extra MPG or three from less driveline drag. Then you can lower away!

You should be able to find all the components you need at a decent salvage yard as soccer moms are killing 2WD Troopers all the time. Plus you should be able to recoup your expenses somewhat by selling your leftover TOD and 4WD components here to people who actually use 'em.