Here is my axle dilemma... As of now I have a moderately built xj that I have spend a lot of time modifying and enjoying. I have 33's / 5ish inch lifft / long arms / ruff-stuff reinforced frame / lockers on the stock turdy and 8.25. I spent a lot of time out at Uwharrie this year and the jeep has done incredible in its current state. Now that I've decided to jump up to 36 or 37's. I decided on the 9 rear and hp44 front until 2 hrs ago. After talking with my brother (who owns a custom powerstroke diesel shop) he told me how a truck 2005 f350 came in last week that was totaled and he could get me the axles if I wanted. He knows this truck well as his shop has serviced it since new.For those of you that aren't aware what those are - they are the dana 60 front and sterling 10.5 rear end. One concern is the loss of ground clearance due to the size of the powerstroke axle option but the axle strength is unbelievable.

Oh and I plan on starting my exo cage build this winter - so this vehicle is no means my daily driver but I do plan on keeping where I can use it from time to time. Thoughts ??? Thanks for your input guys

 

If you can get free or cheap 1 tons, you should do it. Your unibody is already reinforced and your rig sounds like a beast, why not make it beastier?

 

You'll want at least 37s with tons

 

Dana 60 and 10.5 will be plenty of axle for what your going to do

 

37's break parts quick in a hp 44, unless you go w/ ctm u-joints & chrome moly hardened shafts.i learned this lesson the hard way w/ my last cj, broke 2 stock inner shafts & 3 spicer u joints w/in a 2 month period one summer wheeling in the rocks.then i upgraded to the ctm's & hard shafts & was fine then. you can probably run stock parts in the 60, unless you got lots of hp & a heavy right foot. ive seen people break spicer 60 u joints a few times.

 

You guys have confirmed what I was thinking - It looks like I'll be going with the beefier 60 and 10.50. I plan on running military 37's as they are easy to pick up here in NC as well. Honestly, another concern was the additional weight. A pro concerning the weight would be the ability to help keep the vehicle planted (So I would assume). Thanks again guys as this is a big step for any jeeper!

Oh and concerning the hp on my jeep - minor bolt ons. I did swap engines about 2 months ago due to overheating while rockclimbing so I'll be stroking the old 4.0 to a 4.6 or 4.7.

 

So you guys can see what we are working with now Both are from 2 weeks ago at Uwharrie. In the second pic, only my passenger side rear tire is semi planted and my buddy is trying to help me get out. We realized it was a bad idea when the jeep continued to roll on its side, so I stayed while two jeeps pulled me out.

 

The weight of the axles would be a concern, but you said your unibody is reinforced already, so you are good to go. Nice jeep by the way