I have a 4.0L with 3.5” lift and stock 3.55 gears (d35c) so might not be the best comparison but im on 255/85/r16s (33x10) and it’s sluggish over 25 or 30 mphs, on some roads the speed limit is right in between gears which is annoying, and loading up with people and stuff is more noticeable too... for my 95zj a re-gear is a must but you have the V8 so maybe the extra power will make up for it (5.2 zj owners to chime in)
What about clearance, do you have a lift? For me on 3.5 inches of lift I had to move the front axle forward a little and the rear axle rearward a little to fit the tires in the wheel wells (and trimmed front bumper). I have the IRO adjustable control arms and track bars so those axle adjustments are easy to do.
As for how risky (or not risky) it is in regards to possibly breaking something (knock on wood)... I’m probably not a good resource since I don’t have any experience breaking anything so far. But I think it’s not a simple tire size limit for each axle model (d35 = 33, d44 =35) it depends on a lot of things, are you planning on getting a locker, do you do rock crawling or mudding or sand running, lead foot or feather touch on the gas, cautious or bold driver, etc....
I’m sure some people here I’ll give you some of their experiences with snapping or not snapping on stock axles.
My 5.9 felt pretty lazy on 32s and stock 3.73 gears. Now with the 33s and 4.56 gears and some engine upgrades it feels like it should.
Friend had 33s on stock gears on his 5.2 and I didn't like it at all. Now with the 409 stroker and stock gears it's probably slightly faster than my niner on 33s and 4.56 gears.
My XJ on 3.55 gears and 31s was not fast by any means, felt down in power, hunted between gears. It was much better on 35s and 4.88 gears.
I wouldn't regear an LP D30 and/ or D35 at all - and especially not for 33s. I'd ditch those axles and bare minimum get an XJ HP D30 and a '96-'98 D44a from a V8 ZJ and regear those. If you can weld, an Explorer Ford 8.8 is another good, cheap and easy-to-find in junkyrars rear axle upgrade.
I have 4.5” lift with 33s. 5.2L with 3.73 gears (D44a rear). It’s not that slow...have to turn overdrive off to get good acceleration up a hill but not that annoying to me. Plenty of power off-road. I’ve done the Miller Jeep trail with no issues. Mojave road, trails up in big bear, all no issues except with my lift. Had these for around 5 years, before that I was on 32s....everyone talks like it’s horrible and I don’t understand...it’s not optimal but it’s certainly not bad either.
Mine is on stock axles (D33,D35) 33's doing good for now. My off-road is mainly snow.
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