Not that it matters but just a correction his current axle is a HP.
Stupid unibody rigs. Never like the rest of us.
Thanks Bill, but I couldn't justify $700 on a dana 30 LP. Besides, mine is an HP, which should be stronger, and my 29 spline 8.25 isn't much weaker than a ford 8.8. I think i'll just make it easy and stay with 3.55s, since I eventually plan on starting a YJ project. At that point I will start with no less than 1 tons, and 36s, but we will have to see what kind of job the wife finds and get settled into a house before I can start anything like that. With that being said I ran the half tread, 33x12.5 ATs for a while with 3.55s, without a locker, and I got by, so this will undoubtedly be a huge improvement!
The ad says $700, but the title says $600. I think he dropped the price. That said, the design on yours being a HP front is stronger, but the factory gears are not as good a Superior's. To me, that makes them about even. The biggest selling point for this axle to me is the fact that it has the locker and chromoly's already installed plus it has been rebuilt. You won't have seal issues or anything else like that if you were to get it.
Heck you could get it and then we could swap the lockright, chromoly axles, and all the newer rebuilt ball joints, brakes, and bearings to your axle. Then you keep your HP 30 w/ 3.55's, gain a locker and chromoly's, and get new ball joints, brakes, and unit bearings in the process. I am almost positive the parts, shafts included, on a HP 30 can swap to a LP 30.
Now, with all this in mind, you are 100% correct that just the tires alone will be a massive improvement. I just like this idea because with the newer parts and chomoly's you'd be able to get on it and not worry too much about breaking the front out from under it.