i have a 2000 cherokee, d30 front, 8.25 rear, no lockers, just 231 t-case and sye, 6" lift and 35's. what should i invest in as far as driveshaft/axles? i dont wanna be grenading things left and right. (i plan on a aussie rear locker in the next month or so)

 

well the bigger the tires the more weight and stress you are putting on your axles. Since you have a 2000 you probably have a lp dana 30 and a 29 spline 8.25 rear axle. IMO I think your at your max tire size for those axles. When you throw a locker into the mix you are adding a whole lot more stress on the axles. I think a good axle combo for you would be a hp dana 44 front and ford 8.8 rear. Those axles would be able to handle 35 inch tires and a locker. Remeber that your driving style plays a factor in how long your axles last too. If you pick good lines and are easy and the skinny pedal you should be fine.

 

The axles you have will be fine for small tires like the 35s, if you want, you can buy 1541H alloy axles from Randy's ring and pinion for 70.62 each, and use your stock axles for spares. Unless you drive like a total idiot you will be fine with tires no larger than 35s.
Your Cherokee only weighs about 3000 lbs., if it had a ton of extras and more power I would think about an axle swap. ( and when I said a ton I meant 2000 lbs. total 5000 lbs. )

 

well, for my first mods, i want to put in 4:56 gears, and a rear aussie locker, but not sure what to do first. should i get gears, then locker? or worry about axles before lockers?

 

Save up and just do both at the same time. If not, I would do gears first. As for shafts, do them when you have money or break a stock one.

 

well should i do 4:10 or 4:56? not to familiar with this stuff, but my friends h3 has 4:56 gears and i love them

 

I would go 4.56, as they will put you back at about the stock RPM ratio.