Need some opinions...

[jeepers26]

I have a 02 WJ Overland.  So far it has a 6.5" IRO lift 33's and soon to be installed Iceland offroad winch bumper and fender flares... now I can run a slightly larger tire (35's).. now I have heard that the stock drive train on these WJ's (front dana 30 and rear dana 44a) can handle 33's no problem..however now that I want to run 35's what upgrades do you guys think I should do? if any... i.e. axles, lockers, trusses., and where would my money be best spent? I also read an article in JP mag about a NP 231J swap that would give me the 2wd option, which would be nice on the hi-way and what not, do you think its worth it or just keep the NV247?  Any ideas or opinions would be greatly appreciated thanks....

[JackstandJohnny]

you're getting into $$$$ territory with 35s.  stuff starts breaking.  however, depending on how hard you wheel it, and if you're not to heavy on it, i'd probalby truss the rear D44a, and regear to 4.56s.  locker options are nil in the rear for you though; only company that makes em is aussie, and they are drop in, full time lockers. not fun with AWD and on a daily driver.  if you did that then ya, ditch the AWD tcase for a 231 or 242. they did come in some 99/2000WJs with V8s. they are rare birds though.   a 242 can be swapped over though. 

time to ask yourself some questions;  like, 'am i gonna wheel this thing hard?' or, 'will i mostly use this thing to go camping and be a reliable DD?'

if its the latter, i'd regear to 4:56 run 35s and forget about it.  if you're gonna wheel it hard, might as well ditch the axles for some JK axles or something

[JackstandJohnny]

Or
if your made of money

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IROR&Product_Code=IR-WJKFA

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IROR&Product_Code=IR-WJKRA

nothing like bolt-in awesomeness!

[jeepers26]

thanks Johnny,
 I was out a couple of times last year with the CJA, I think I was out when you were on a run to Margret Lake... I don't really plan on wheelin it that hard, and I would have kept it the way it was but, a cop in Olds pulled me over for fender flares and mud flaps thats why I went out and bought the flares and bumper. I just think now its gonna look a little silly with the cut out flares and only the 33's... maybe I should just stick with the 33's and buy some wheel spacers to bring the wheels out a bit and line up with the flares a little better...
and I have seen that axle swap on IRO's site it is sweet! but I don't have that kinda cash right now, just bought a house and with a 18 month old and another on the way, I have had to tone down the spending

[jeepers26]

bump....

[cLAY]

Sounds like its more of a daily driver and grocery getter than a wheeling vehicle. If so stay with the 33s. 35s will drop your power and fuel economy. Having lockers and not using them, also a waste of money. If you put lockers and 35s into the stock axles expect to break something, there's no such thing as taking it easy with 35s, eventually you'll see a side obstacle you want to try an then another and another.... till crunch...