I hope nobody slaps me for this, but just my POV, I have been running a d35 and d30 stock gears on 31s, I did get upgraded axle shafts for front, and will be doing an Aussie locker... Now, I have wheeled the heck outta this thing, easy, and rough terrain... If you can drive it right, you shouldn't break it. The d35 that is... Yes it is weak, but remember, they say 90% driver 10% rig... If you wheel smart, and don't get stupid, have recovery points, and swallow your pride when you can't make something rather than trying to break stuff, you should be fine. Common sense on the trail saves a lot of hassle... If you can get a diff. rear end, go for it. But from what you are gonna use it for, it will be fine. Lock the front first, just because it is stronger. Run those 31's all day long my friend. Save the money for the rest of the stuff... Armor, winch etc... If it ain't broken, don't fix it until it is.
Edit: forgot to say, I have a 8.25 in my garage... I still run my d35... Why change it if it works great!

 

Very few poeple that I have heard of have any problem with the D35 on 31's... it's when you start getting bigger than that AND locking it that it causes a problem... 33's and a D35 isn't that big of a deal... 33's and a LOCKED D35 is reeeaaally pushing it.

I'll agree with you that it's 90/10, but if you're a pro horse rider on a horse with a weak leg, you're bound to have a problem

 

I've decided that's going to be money better spent elsewhere. I see D44's going in my area A LOT.

However...

Lets say I can snag a D44 out of... Let's say a 70's Chevy... With 4:10 gears... For $100 OBO... Should I get it?

Even though I have no clue what or how to install it.

 

well... 100 bucks is a good deal on the axle, but then you'll have different bolt patterns front and rear... unless you get spacers, which is more money.... OR unless you get D44's front and rear out of the same vehicle.... which is still more money

plus, you'll have to cut and re-weld the spring perches 'cause the ones for the chevy are mounted further out on the axle than for our xj's... you're really better off finding a d44 out of a cherokee or wrongler... the d44a (a is for aluminum) was an option on late 80's xj's with the towing package... kinda hard to find, but worth it for the direct-bolt up

 

Good to know actually...

Well... I still need lift, tires, paint, Bushwackers, and carpet. So I'll hold off on axel swaps for a tad longer.

 

A Chevy one is good but not for a xj due to its a passenger drop :-( the xj is a driver drop :-) look for a ford one

 

Will a 8.25 out of a Jeep Liberty, bolt on a 98 XJ?

Drum brakes.

 

No...