i know stock is fine for what i want to do, currently..
But i want beefy and like the idea i could tackle something if it came up

When i say small rocks i mean, the size of a 20"+/- tire not pebbles off the side of the road
mud/water = i have to use the snorkel and hope i can float
Sand - dunes would be fun too
Trails... self explanatory at this point i think

 

The Chrysler 8.25 with 29 spline axles can easily handle 35s in big rocks! I wouldn't be afraid of running 37s on the 29 spline 8.25 with Yukon's 1541 shafts. ( Oh, and that is locked of course! )

 

i dont know about that size of tire maybe with those axles i didnt know they made axles for em but i think i would do the 8.8 swap if i was you what you planning on doing out front

 

+1 Guy I wheeled with ran 35s with ARBs perfectly fine on his 8.25

And the rocks where hell of a lot bigger than 20 inches.

 

^
Yes, the Chrysler 8.25 is really a dam good axle until you get to 38 inches and over. Personally if I decide to go taller than 37s I'll go with something with a frame and chassis.
The only con to the 8.25 is finding low priced lockers, and they don't make any gear sets lower than 4.88. ( that I know of anyway )
About the 8.8, yes it is a great axle, but unless you want to go over 37s a 8.25 will work just as well.

 

4.88s is plenty for 37s though. I'd probably move to something with a frame if i went over 38s anyway too.

33s is the max I'm willing to go to until I get a truck and trailer to tow around my jeep. 33s is plenty for everything within 2 hours of me, anything higher and the dozen or so trails near me would be pointless.

 

IDK
Apparently, I havent gotten that far...
Open to suggestions that would go with a 8.8 rear (no idea on the gear ratio...)

 

My 1st jeep had 35's on c8.25 and worked fine. Broke my d30 more than anything

 

Ya, the Dana 30 is a good axle, with some upgrades, but if it is stock and has the smaller u-joints and you wheel them hard they will break pretty easy.

 

the dana 30 axle will work wonders if you get a 96+ 30 spline chroomos with the hub kit and a locker trusses and gussets are plus to

 

It dont take long breaking stuff and doing field repairs to learn this stuff.

To OP, I would recommend taking this in steps. Wheel it with 31 or 33's and have fun. Upgrade when you start breaking stuff when you go bigger cause you will know where the weak links are from breaking it a few times and have had time to READ and not ask. You will be disappointed and pissed when you spend a bunch of money on upgrades but are still breaking all the time cause you overlooked some of the finner details. To me it sounds like you just need to get out there and wheel. 75% driver, 25% machine

 

It is a lot driver, but not 75%, I would go with the Dana 30, and a 8.25 with 29 splines.
You already have the Dana 30, and a Chrysler 29 spline 8.25 wouldn't be to expensive.
Lock the 8.25 and then wheel it.