Haven't been on here in a while, but I could use some help making a decision. My XJ is currently sat in a garage far away from me while I'm working. Haven't seen it in 6 months, so excuse my vagueness.

The main reason I'm not driving it now is because the shop where I had the gears rebuilt did such a crap job that there is never-ending whining and ticking coming from both axles. I took it back and they tried it again with similar results. This was 3-4 years ago but we settled for a significantly reduced cost. (Complicated since I worked for them for a while.)

Anyways, the Jeeps sitting with a lot of nice parts in otherwise very good condition but with bad axles. I'm eventually planning on towing it when I move west (hopefully towards better wheeling) in another year or so. At which point I'm planning to built it up significantly to run 37s (1 tons, etc.) I'd like to get the miles out of the current tires and components before then.

Basically, I have 3 options, rebuild the D30 and 8.25 and hope they stand up to very mild wheeling and street use, swap in somewhat better axles d44/8.8, or wait it out and leave the Jeep sat as is. Problem is, I can only work on it where it currently is until I move, and there are no good 4x4 shops where I am now. So, if something breaks I'll have to put it in storage.

The jeeps current build: 6.5" lift w/ Synergy long arms, 35x12.5R15 BFG KO tires on 15x8 M.T. classic wheels. 4.56 gear ratio with truetrac LSD in the rear. np231 SYE. OTK WJ steering and front brakes.

 

I'd take it to another shop and have them go over the axles. Your setup now will handle 35s with no issues.